Chapter 10 - THE PROMISE KEPT
Two months after Marcus was formally indicted on capital murder and financial embezzlement charges, life in Asheville began to find a new, permanent rhythm.
The legal battle for Leo’s permanent custody was swift and uncontested; with Marcus facing life without parole and my mother and I stepping in, Leo officially came to live with me in my home just down the road.
We painted his bedroom a bright, cheerful blue. We hung up his drawings, filled his bookshelves with adventure stories, and made sure the kitchen counters were always covered in the kind of baked goods Rachel would have approved of.
One Saturday afternoon, Leo and I were sitting on the back porch, watching the autumn leaves drift across the lawn. Leo was busy working on a complicated Lego spaceship, humming quietly to himself.
I sat with a mug of coffee, looking down at the silver charm bracelet I had found hidden in the guest room closet. I had cleaned it, polished it, and slipped it onto my wrist where it belonged.
Leo stopped building for a moment, looking up at me with those bright, intelligent eyes.
"Aunt Sarah?"
"Yes, my love?"
"Do you think Mom is proud of us?"
May you like
I smiled, reaching over to brush a stray curl from his forehead.
"Every single day, Leo," I told him, looking out at the endless Blue Ridge mountains stretching across the horizon. "Every single day."
