Pilgrim in the Parlor by Kathi Daley

Author:Kathi Daley [Daley, Kathi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kathi Daley Books
Published: 2019-09-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Today was the day. The anniversary of the day that Ben and Johnathan had been ripped from my life. Last year, I’d barely gotten through the day, but this year, I was determined to do better. I thought the memory would have faded. I’d hoped the pain would be nothing more than a distant memory, but the video that played through my mind felt as real as the actual experienced on that day two years ago.

I remember sitting at the dining table, making a list of everything I needed to accomplish before Thanksgiving the following week. I remember the knock on the door and the way my heart stopped beating in that instant as if on some level I already knew. I remember the men in uniform standing at the door with a look of sympathy in their eyes. I remember the shock, the disbelief, and total numbness that came next.

I sat up and pulled Rufus into my lap. I buried my face in his soft fur, determined not to give in to the rage and the sorrow that still lurked deep inside. I’d wanted to die the moment I’d learned that Ben and Johnathan were gone from my life forever. But I hadn’t died; I’d survived. I’d built a new life that I loved, and while I would always cherish my memories of the time we’d had together, I wouldn’t let the pain associated with those memories pull me back into the dark place where I’d spent almost a year of my life.

I glanced out the window. It had snowed overnight. Several inches by the look of it. Not a lot, but enough to cause Jeremy to have to venture out into the cold to shovel walkways and lay down salt to prevent icy paths that guests could slip and fall on.

Molly snuggled up next to my leg, and I ran a hand through her soft fur. It seemed as if both my animal buddies sensed that I needed some extra snuggle time this morning and were more than willing to provide it.

I turned and draped my legs over the side of the bed. Pulling on my heavy sweatshirt and knee-high slippers, I wandered into the other room. There was a pot of coffee and homemade cinnamon rolls on the counter. There was also a note from Georgia letting me know that she was giving me some space, but if I wanted to talk, she would be in the kitchen at the inn baking the bread for tonight’s dinner.

I smiled. Georgia always knew exactly what to do.

I poured myself a cup of coffee and then wandered into the living room. Georgia must have Ramos with her since I didn’t see him anywhere in the cottage. I turned on the gas fireplace and curled up on the sofa. My heart hurt to the point I found it hard to breathe, but I also felt strong. At least stronger than I’d been last year on this same date. I sipped my coffee and watched the snow float toward the ground just outside the window.

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