Page 120 of Poetry of Flowers

She only wore one of his basketball shirts with some socks of his.

“It’s nice to see you, Kayden.” She smiled and came over to give me a hug. Violett and Nash met in high school, but for some reason he never told me, they had only gotten together when they met again in college. Since they were from the same city, they always visited together, and I spent a lot of time at their place near their college last summer, so I had gotten to know her better.

It made me happy to see my brother being the best version of himself when Violett was with him.

“Nash told me a bit about what happened, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, it made me realize a lot of things in my life, one of them was that time is limited. Tomorrow might never come, and we shouldn’t wait for things to get taken away from us.”

I waited for Tillie, but I wouldn’t lose any more time.

“Beautifully said.” My brother’s girlfriend nodded and walked back to Nash, who laid his arm around her waist when she leaned back against his chest.

“You told her?” my brother’s eyes lit up and he grinned.

“I actually kissed her multiple times, and we are a couple.”

It was nice to finally say that out loud.

“You and Tillie?!” Violett asked.

I nodded and she turned around to face Nash.

“I told you they would be together by the time we visited again!” she cheered and clapped her hands, her black curls jumping up and down at her movements.

They were unbelievable.

“Kayden?” My mother’s figure came up behind my brother, and her gaze softened when she saw me standing there. She looked like she was about to cry.

“We’re going to make breakfast.” Violett said and left with Nash behind her.

My mom came a few steps closer to me but waited until I leaned down to hug her.

“I’m so sorry, my sweet boy.” She cried and I nodded against her shoulder. “I know Mom.”

“I make sure he is gone; he won’t ever come back. This should have happened a long time ago.” I pulled back and nodded again.

She had made mistakes, and she knew it, but I was ready to forgive her even when I could never forget.

“I love you, Mom.”

“I love you too, Kayden, you have no idea how much.” She brushed her hand over my cheek and looked like she was lost in thoughts.

“I’m going over to Tillie’s house to spend the day with her, but I’ll be back for dinner, I promise.” I told her and she smiled.

There was light at the end of my tunnel now, but I still needed a little more time to process everything.

* * *

Tillie wasasleep when I got to her room.

I lay down beside her and I pulled her into my arms. She whimpered a little and the sound made me smile.

I kissed her forehead gently before I closed my eyes.

“I love you, Fleur.”

Forgiveness - November 8, 2022

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