talking about, but when I look at Wayne, Oakley, and Madison, they seem as lost as I am but are still paying close attention.
They’re all passionate people with their own interests, but they find it in their hearts to support each other, listen to one another, and love their individual obsessions because they’re family. I can see where Willow gets her kind heart. It was cultivated right here with these people.
“Oh, can I show Bobby your gallery collection in the hallway?” Carrie asks Willow.
Willow smiles, hopping up from the table. “Yeah! Actually, I’m going to go get my yearbook too, show him where it all really started.”
“Can I see the doughnut-baby picture too?” I ask, and Willow laughs loud and bright at the memory of our first conversation. Our happiest moments, my getting Betty and her photographing a lady’s doughnut baby for her first photography paycheck.
It feels like I met you yesterday. It feels like I’ve known you forever.
Carrie smiles, getting up from the table. “Let me help you find that yearbook. I can’t remember what shelf I put it on.”
They head down the hallway but don’t go too far, and I overhear Carrie quietly tell Willow, “I’m so proud of you. You went out there for Hank, fixed that, and made a whole new life for yourself. It suits you. I can see how much you’ve grown while you’ve been in Great Falls, and I think that man in there has something to do with it. You’re bigger, bolder somehow. You always were, but it was like you put a lampshade on your brightness. But now, you’re shining bright, sharing that heart you’ve always had.”
Willow clears her throat, and though I can’t see her, I know she’s got one of her soft smiles gracing her lips.
Carrie might be seeing that change now for the first time, but I’ve known Willow was sweet, kind, and also strong all along. She’s had to be to put up with Hank. Fine, and me too.
Wayne asks another question about pesticide residues, and I let Willow take her time finding the pictures to show me. I’m good here, with her people, especially knowing that we leave tomorrow to go home. Together.
Chapter 26
Willow
“You ready?”
Mom and I are standing beneath the glowing light of the sign outside Hank’s. I can’t believe that it’s only been a few short months since I stood here that first time, nervous about what I’d find inside. Now, I’m ready to get in there and check on Hank, say hi to Olivia, Ilene, and Daniel, and get back behind the bar.
I’ve missed this place, these people, this feeling of home.
Mom grips my hand, her voice a little strained. “He knows I’m coming, right?”
She’s nervous, having spent twenty minutes picking an outfit, as if Hank will notice or care at all, and her hand is a bit shaky in mine. I’m surprised, having only seen Mom confident, no matter the room she’s walking into.
I squeeze her hand reassuringly as I remind her, “Yes, he knows. You talked to Unc yesterday. He told you to come at lunch today.”
“Right, yeah,” she says with a mindless nod that confirms she’s still uncertain.
The door creaks and we step inside. Before my eyes even adjust, I hear a loud call, “Willow! Carrie! Ooh, if you two aren’t a sight for sore eyes. Get over here and hug my neck.”
Unc is making his way around the bar, moving quickly despite his limp and looking well. Mom meets him in the middle, and they wrap their arms around each other, swaying away years of hurt and pride.
Tears prick at my eyes. This is why we should’ve done this a long time ago.
“I’m so sorry,” Mom blubbers through tears of her own.
“Hush with that shit. The fault rests on my shoulders. They ain’t as strong as they used to be, but I can carry this responsibility. I should’ve fixed it after Harold died so I didn’t miss out on you and your family.” Unc’s blue eyes meet mine around Mom’s head and he shoots me a wink. “You did good with ’em, Carrie. Especially that one over there.”
Mom beams proudly as she looks back at me. “I did, didn’t I?” To Unc, she says, “How about if we leave the past in the past? No need to even give it another minute of our time. We can start fresh and move forward from this moment right here.”
“That sounds nice,” Unc agrees, but then he holds up a bony finger.