When The Wind Stops, True Feelings Remain - Chapter 10

Jessica was Mom’s daughter with her first love, a man from a poor family.

Mom’s parents forbade the marriage. She married Dad out of spite, getting pregnant first to seal the deal.

Her lover disappeared. Years later, he returned. Mom wanted a divorce. She wanted to abort me. Dad told her parents.

Grandma Miller gave Mom a choice: leave, but give birth to the baby first. Or stay and inherit.

Mom reluctantly had me. But Grandma wouldn’t let her leave with a newborn. If Mom left, she’d be disinherited, penniless.

Mom resented me, and Dad, for ruining her chance at happiness. She continued her affair, giving birth to Jessica four years later, after Grandma Miller died.

Mom planned to leave Dad, but Jessica’s father disappeared again, taking Jessica with him.

They were gone for twenty years.

Then Jessica reappeared, claiming her father had died years ago, spinning a tale of hardship. Miller Industries was about to go public.

Any scandal would be disastrous.

Mom brought Jessica in as a “charity case,” insisting on adopting her. A daughter to replace me. A good PR story.

Jessica’s father had married into the wealthy Hawthorne family after he left Mom. When he died, Jessica’s position was precarious.

She volunteered to infiltrate our family, helping the Hawthornes take over Miller Industries.

Mom was horrified.

“Why? I’m your mother!”

Jessica’s mask dropped. She shoved Mom.

“Mother? You never raised me! Do you know what it’s like to be a charity case? I hate you! I hate you for giving birth to me! For giving me a father who beat me when he was drunk!”

“You deserve everything you get!”

Mom collapsed, sobbing. I dragged her to Dad’s bedside.

“Look! This man you’ve despised for forty years is the one who truly loves you! Who always protected you! And what did you ever give him in return?”

“He tried to stop you from leaving with that man because he knew he wasn’t good enough for you! He didn’t want you to get hurt!”

“You threw away a loving husband, a daughter who craved your love, for a fantasy. You’re a monster.”

The police arrived, arresting Jessica.

“You’re under arrest for conspiracy and accessory to assault.”

Jessica was finished. A pawn discarded by the Hawthornes, destined to rot in jail. Tears rolled down Dad’s cheeks. He beckoned me closer.

“Sarah…next life…find a good family…a father who can protect you… ”

I pressed his hand to my cheek.

“Dad, no. I want to be your daughter again. Please, can we be buried together? I’ll put my name on your headstone. Sarah Peterson.”

Mark and David knelt beside Dad.

“Dad, we’ll change our names to Peterson too!”

Dad looked at us, then closed his eyes. He was gone. After the funeral, I knew my time was short.

I went to Mom, who sat in a daze. I opened my arms.

“Mom, you never hugged me. Can I have a hug?”

She embraced me, crying.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Her embrace was warm. I had no regrets left. After I died, I floated above the cemetery. Next to my plot were two more.

One read: Sarah Peterson, Daughter.

The other: Sarah Peterson, Wife.

Michael’s voice echoed.

“Sarah, I told you I wouldn’t let you be alone. I’ll be with you, always. In this life, and the next.”

“Michael, hold my hand. The path to the afterlife is dark.”

THE END