Chapter 26 - the day sadie visited the garden
Elena had planted roses before she disappeared.
Corinne had never touched them.
Daphne had kept them alive.
Three years later, Sadie asked if she could see them.
We went together.
Elena stopped beside the garden wall.
"This one was your mother's favorite."
Sadie touched the leaves.
"Did Mommy plant it?"
"Yes."
"Did you remember?"
Elena smiled.
"I remembered everything about this garden."
Sadie looked around.
"Did you think about me?"
"Every day."
Sadie was quiet.
Then she asked:
"Did you think I'd forget you?"
Elena's face broke.
"Sometimes."
"Why?"
"Because I was gone for so long."
Sadie took her mother's hand.
"I didn't."
Elena knelt.
They hugged.
I turned away.
Some moments belonged only to them.
A few minutes later, Sadie asked:
"Can we plant another one?"
Elena smiled.
"Of course."
"What should we call it?"
Sadie thought.
"Hope."
We planted it together.
A new rose beside the old one.
One had survived the years.
May you like
The other had been planted because the years were over.
---
