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Sunlight on my face roused me.
Warm light from the sun setting over the pacific ocean brought me around to the present once more. The sound of the surf had lulled me into memories of the past. It has a way of doing that with me. I have a lot of memories tied up with the sound. Memories hung up in space and time.
I looked out the window, Abby's SUV was pulling into the driveway of our beach house. It was late afternoon. The whole day had slipped by.
Obviously Lizzy is too young to hear some of this.
But had to tell her what I could.
I got up to go greet my four girls in the driveway.
I wondered what my father would do.
Maybe I'd redact the naughty bits at least. Yeah, I'd definitely have to edit out the sex bits. Write it down. Maybe she could read it when she was older. Maybe it would give her context for her life. Context is everything after all.
EPILOUGE
Maybe this has helped, maybe it hasn't. All I know is that you needed to know the context.
Yes, I loved your birth mother. Yes, you were an accident conceived in an emotional torrent. But yes, Abby is your mother too. She's been there from the moment you were born, to the moment your birth mother left this world, and every moment in between and since. Abby risked her life to save you. She's raised you, and cherished you, and loved you. I don't want to hear you say Abby's not your 'real' mother ever again.
You have no idea what a real mother is.
But we love you. Both of us. Totally and completely. You are one of the brightest spots in the tapestry of my life.
The littlest things can be crossroads, and you can't take anything back, ever. We can never measure the impact of the choices we make until the consequences have long overrun us. Try to keep that in context the next time you open your mouth and words come out.
But don't let this frighten you into silence either. For while we can never untangle the quantum possibility of our lives, neither can we measure the volume of the echo of unspoken words. Say what's in your heart, but try to speak from love, not meanness; not hate or anger or fear. Life is a series of moments hung one after another in the tapestry of space and time. The stuff the very universe is made of kiddo. Don't make a moment you'll look back on with regret.
.finis.
- COMMENTS
AspernEssling3 days agoThe Epilogue was nice, but ...
The message to his daughter was very clear, and heart-warming. But why the confusion in Chapter One? Liz should never have been allowed to reach the point of being rude to her adoptive mother, and Jack should have had no doubt whatsoever about what he was going to say to her.
I had to read to the end. I liked the beginning, but found that I was enjoying it less as it went along. Maybe I hoped that it would turn around, or that I could figure out why I was feeling this way. I came to the conclusion that I didn't like Jack.
He broke Kimmy's heart, and then did it again to Abby. Anna was not the most sympathetic character, but Jack was hardly supportive; he basically abandoned her to her demons. Jack didn't like Stan, and then put his own preferences ahead of his mother's happiness.
How can a guy who's supposed to be so smart (we hear about his GPA over and over) have so much trouble getting a job or making a bit of money? Jack claims that he doesn't want to accept money from Abby's parents, but he lets her pay for his ticket home and then takes the job from her father - not to mention taking his mother's money. Selfish and irresponsible?
But to have sex with Beth when she's so vulnerable that she's afraid to go outside? That's low.
To cheat on Abby, and break her heart? He learned nothing from what he did to Kim?
I don't understand why Abby would agree to marry him. It seems like all four of the women make terrible life choices. But Jack stands out to me as a very unlikeable character.
Anonymousabout 1 month agoi thoroughly enjoyed it, a great read, however i think the ending seemed very condensed compared to the rest of the story.Certainly belongs in the five star category.
dirtyoldbimanabout 2 months agoGood, but I only read part 1 and this part. Just too long for me. Did very much like your last 2 paragraphs. Especially "speak from love, not hate" and words have consequences.
richard26757 months agoAbsolutely incredible. Life’s ups and downs. Joys and heartaches I even saw some of the things that I wish I had done. Loved it.
ProletarianStickabout 1 year agoWhat a fantastic story. Gut-wrenching at times to the point where I teared up. I love how relatable the characters are, how real the story is and how well you wrote it. Not many tales can evoke such a sense of nostalgia and longing like this one, I now have that terrible feeling of loss after finishing a good book or video game. I'm sure many who read this will know what I mean.
There were of course minor flaws or errors and sometimes it meandered a little. But like you said, it's not meant to be perfect because Jack isn't meant to be perfect. My favourite part was Kimmy's wedding I think, when Jack thought back to his first memories with her. Your writing really shone there. I also loved reading about the trip to Europe.
I notice from one of your comments that much has happened to you since you wrote this. If you see this, I sincerely hope you're doing well and know that your story has made one more person happy after ten years. Thank you for taking us on this journey kind sir.
Anonymousover 1 year agoAbsolutely wonderful. I never quiet knew where we were going some times after writing this morning's note, where the pan cake breakfast started. With tissue in hand, I have just finished it. An outstanding story and wonderfully told with humor, heartbreak and passion.
I loved the day during the read, soft low YouTube background music, hot coffee and warm banana bread and butter. Only got up for bathroom breaks, to help wife of 63 years get groceries in and arranged and to answer her, "Why I'm laughing or crying". I'll remember this day and this wonderful story, spun by a word Master.
tgc Valdosta,Ga
NovemberComingFirealmost 2 years agoOverall enjoyed the story except for two things. The pacing, and Jack. Total douchebag.
kuu123over 2 years agoI really enjoyed your story! I didn´t like/agree with every decision you made but overall I´d rate it at 4.5*. You are a very good writer and I hope you keep writing.
