Sadie’s heart broke and the tears streamed down her face, picturing a young Stone. She wiped her tears but it did no good. They continued to fall.
“I never told anyone that story. Not even Darla. It’s mine and Stone’s. And now yours.”
“What happened?” Sadie swiped her tears with the back of her hand.
“I told him I would always fight for him, right or wrong. I spent the years since that day proving it to him. I will spend the rest of my life proving it to him. Now my question to you, are you going to fight for him, Sadie?”
She wiped the tears from her eyes and sobbed. “He doesn’t want me, John.” Her heart wrenched. She wanted him but he didn’t want her.
“That’s not an answer. Do you want to fight for him, yes or no?”
“Yes!” Sadie said with tears streaming down her face.
“Good. Go get packed, our flight leaves in three hours.”
*
They were waiting in the airport lounge having a drink. After packing, she washed up and they headed to the airport. She didn’t have time to second guess her decision. Now, they were at the airport with only time to kill. Boarding started in twenty minutes.
John gave Sadie a small piece of information she hadn’t known before. She found out her ticket was already purchased and he just needed to change the date. Apparently, she was booked on a flight with the others originally scheduled for Tuesday night to fly into Houston. Stone wanted her to come home with him for the holiday. He was going to tell her on Monday, the day he ended things.
John told her Stone insisted on everyone leaving Monday night. He even paid for all the ticket changes.
“I don’t understand why he ended it with me then.” Sadie was still unsure about going. Stone didn’t want her, he told her that.
“Sometimes we do things because we believe we are protecting the people we love; it’s not always the right thing. I gather he thought breaking things off with you would protect you. Love does strange things to people.”
“But Stone doesn’t love me.”
John laughed as he answered his ringing phone.
“Baby girl!” He answered with love in his voice. He hit the button on the side of his phone, the volume button.
“Hey, Daddy! Just checking in.” Hearing Roxanne’s voice made her smile.
“I’m on my way, should be home in a few hours. Everything ready for tonight?”
“Yeah, the guys cut up the wood, and Bogs and I got all the food ready. Emory is on her way over now.”
“Good. How are the boys?”
“Well, Bogs is still annoying, if that’s what you’re asking? But T and Ethan have been working. They got in touch with Trent and got that whole mess squared away. And Stone’s at his place.”
“How is he, Roxanne?”
“He misses her, Daddy. I tried to get him to talk to me but he wouldn’t. He said it’s over but Dad, he’s hurting, I can see it. And he completely freaked on me when I said I was going to call Sadie. I just want to make sure she’s okay. But I didn’t. Stone asked me not to. I still feel bad, I miss Sadie, too.”
“Well, everything happens for a reason. Go finish everything up and I’ll see you soon.”
John ended the call, looked over at Sadie and winked. The intercom announced their flight was ready to board. John took out his wallet and threw cash on the bar. It was time to go.
“You ready?” he questioned.
“I’m ready.” She smiled up at him. Stone was hurting. He didn’t want to end it? Now she was going to find out why he did. It was time to go fight for him.
****
Stone had been sitting in his truck for the last twenty minutes. He would never get used to the idea that this place was now a part of his life and he’d always have a love/hate relationship with it. Usually he came here with his family. On rare occasions, like today, he came by himself.
Stone got out of his truck and slowly made his way down the small cement stairs. It was quiet here today, nobody else in sight, just him. He walked across the grass, passing the statue of Mary. This was the love part he had for this spot. It was open, and flowers adorned the grounds. Large oaks were scattered throughout. It gave a park-like appearance, a place where one came to be at peace.
He didn’t need to count the three rows he had passed. He would be able to find where he was going even if he was blindfolded. He would always find his way here. He turned down the fourth row, ten feet in and stopped. This was the hate part.
Here he was.
“Hi, Mom.” Stone’s voice cracked with emotion. It always did when he visited her at the cemetery. Three years had passed but it was still so raw for him.
He stood at the foot of her headstone.
Beloved Wife and Mother
Darla M. Garrison
There was a light breeze and Stone could almost feel his mom wrapping her arms around him and whispering, “Hello, Stone.”
Stone stared down at his mother’s headstone.
“So, I met a girl. Sadie.” Just saying her name brought her face into his mind.
Her beautiful face with that smile. Her soft brown eyes looking back at him and seeing inside him. She saw him, really saw him. And he saw her. If he
