A Time to Forgive by Kay Correll

Author:Kay Correll
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781944761295
Publisher: Rose Quartz Press

Jason looked up at the hill between the lodge and the Stuart’s cabin and swore he saw Peter standing there. Like so many times before when they’d cut back and forth. He squinted and looked closer.

No, it was Petey up there.

He put down the broom he’d been using to sweep the deck steps and headed up the pathway. He needed a break anyway, right? Or maybe he just wanted to get to know this part of Peter. Peter’s son. The son who looked just like his father.

He climbed the hill and walked up to the gazebo. Petey whirled around when he heard him. Jason swore the kid had been crying.

“You okay?”

“I’m great. Just great.”

“You don’t sound great.”

Petey swiped at his face. “I just found out about—” He looked at Jason. “But I bet you already know.”

“Found out what?”

“About my father. And my mom. And Aunt Bree.”

So somehow the boy had found out. “I did know.”

“You knew that my parents were cheaters? That mom lied to me all these years?”

“I don’t know what your mom told you, no. But I will say that to wrap all the things your father was up into one word—cheater—doesn’t describe him at all.”

Petey stared at him then frowned. “So... how would you describe him? Can you tell me more about him? Mom doesn’t talk about him much.”

“He... he was a great guy. My best friend. He was funny. He was smart. His laugh could bring a smile to everyone’s face. He went to visit his grandmother every week, without fail. He was great at sports. Loved to hike. He was the first one every year to plunge into Lone Elk Lake, when the water was frigid. Not that it ever really warmed up.”

Petey sat on the bench and continued to look at him.

“He never got sick. He could outrun me in the mile by three seconds. Three seconds.”

The boy almost smiled.

“He did make a stupid mistake with Bree and Cece. He was young, but that’s no excuse. If any of us could have known how this would have turned out...”

“So that’s why Aunt Bree doesn’t come around. She hates my mom.”

“She doesn’t hate Cece. Not truly in her heart. I’ve always hoped that the two of them could work things out.”

“Why would Aunt Bree ever forgive my mom? That’s a rotten thing to do to your sister.”

“We all make mistakes, son. All of us. Some bigger than others. We do things we regret. That’s life. It is.”

“So Mom’s probably sorry that I was ever born. I’m a constant reminder.”

“I doubt that’s how Cece looks at you. She loves you. You have to know that.”

“Honestly, I don’t know anything right now. Everything I thought was the truth... it isn’t.” Petey looked out at the mountains in the distance. “But I’m glad Aunt Abby blurted the truth. I am. Because now I know. Now I understand.”

“Maybe. I’m not sure any of us fully understand. We all made choices that led up to how things turned out.”

“I’m just so mad at my mom right now.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.