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Before Tink could say anything, the woman brushed past Tink.
“Alexandra, is that really you?” The woman said.
Tink came over and stood next to Alex, which she was thankful for because she had no idea what even to say. This had come out of the left field. What were the flipping odds that she would run into her mother?
Tink draped his arm over her shoulders.
“Alex. This is Nora.”
The woman started to reach out but caught herself, and it was a good thing because Alex wasn’t sure how she wanted this to play out. Growing up, she had always wondered if she’d ever had the opportunity to meet her mom. But now that the time had arrived, she wasn’t sure how she felt about it—confused was the front runner, but anger came in a close second.
She closed her eyes for a moment to gather herself. Her dad and uncles raised her not to be a bitter person. They taught her that even though forgiveness won’t erase the past, it will help you heal in most situations.
Alex looked up at Tink and gave him a slight nod, letting him know that she got this. She stepped forward and held her hand out.
“It’s nice to meet you, Nora.”
When the woman placed her hand in Alex’s, Alex had expected to feel something, but there was nothing. It was as if she was meeting a stranger.
“Oh, my.” The woman said with tears in her eyes. “You look so much like him.” Alex knew she was referring to her dad. “I was sorry to hear about his passing.”
That last statement stung. Alex wondered when Nora knew about her ex-husband’s death. Had it been when the State of Virginia was threatening to put her in a foster home?
“It was a difficult time. My dad was my world—my rock. Losing him hurt a great deal.” Alex peered up at Tink and softly smiled. “But aside from losing my dad, I wouldn’t have traded my childhood for anything. I was raised by some of the greatest men I’ll ever know in my lifetime. Those men are my family.
“Alex, I’m so sorry.”
Alex held her hand up to stop her.
“Nora, I’m not looking for apologies. I’m sure you had your reasons for your actions. It happened, and everyone involved has moved on.”
Nora’s eyes started to widen as she looked at something past Alex. When Alex turned, she spotted two girls who looked to be in their late teens or early twenties. They were walking with a man—a man wearing a Navy Summer White uniform. She noticed the gold wings device he wore over his service ribbons.
“That’s my family.”
Alex thought her jaw was going to hit the floor. This was a woman who left a man in the Navy because she said she couldn’t handle the stress of his deployments. But then married another man in the Navy who was an aviator and probably did just as many deployments?
Alex turned back toward Nora. She didn’t know what to say.
“Alex. They don’t know about you. Well, my husband does, but Kendra and Kara don’t. At least not yet. I had hoped that one day the girls could meet their half-sister.”
Alex could see the remorse in Nora’s eyes. Before the trio made it to them, Alex said, “If it’s forgiveness you are seeking, then you are forgiven, but I don’t think I can be a part of your life.”
Alex looked at Tink. “I need some air.” As Alex walked toward the sliding doors that led out to the beach, she couldn’t bring herself to take one last look at the woman who had given her life, knowing it would most likely be the last time she ever saw her again.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Ace walked out onto the deck and took a seat at the patio table. The guys had tried to get him to go up to Bayside for a drink, but he opted to stay home. He picked up the bottle of beer and took a swig. The bitter taste of the IPA brew matched his current mood.
He leaned back in the cushioned chair and looked up at the larger and brighter supermoon in the sky. He smiled to himself, wondering if Alex could see it. She loved sitting out on the patio to star and moon gaze.
His heart felt empty without her there at home. He heard Zuma’s nails clicking on the composite decking as he walked over. He laid his head on Ace’s lap. Ace grinned as he scratched the chocolate lab behind his ears.
“I know, buddy. I miss her too.” As if Zuma understood what he said, he released a small whimper.
Before Ace even heard the gate between their yard and Potter and Tenley’s yard open, Zuma emitted a low growl. But when Potter appeared from behind the gate, Zuma trotted over to greet him with a wagging tail.
After giving Zuma, some loving Potter climbed the steps to the deck and took the seat across from Ace.
