Chapter 27 - THE PARK IN WINTER
Winter came early that year.
Reed Park was covered in snow.
The playground stood empty.
The roses were dormant.
Valerie and Sophia walked beneath the oak trees.
Sophia was nine now.
She had become quieter about the past.
But she never forgot it.
They stopped near the memorial plaque.
Sophia read the words.
WHERE FEAR ONCE STOOD, HOPE NOW GROWS.
“Mommy?”
“Yes?”
“Do you still remember the coffin?”
Valerie took a slow breath.
“Yes.”
“Does it still make you sad?”
“Sometimes.”
Sophia reached for her hand.
“Me too.”
They stood together.
Then Sophia said:
“But I'm glad you heard me.”
Valerie looked at her daughter.
“You saved me too.”
Sophia frowned.
“I was the one in the coffin.”
“I know.”
“Then how did I save you?”
Valerie knelt.
“Because when I thought I had lost everything, you gave me a reason to keep going.”
Sophia hugged her.
The snow continued falling around them.
Neither woman spoke.
They didn't need to.
The past was still part of their story.
May you like
But it no longer owned them.
---
