two. Your brother had cancer.” A horrible thought struck her. She sat straight up. “Has anyone checked Luc? It could have passed to Luc.”
“Sera knows. She always knew Wes had a childhood cancer.” Angie stood in the doorway. She’d changed into jeans and her hair was up, her face scrubbed clean like she’d gotten ready for bed before she’d decided to come over. “When she came to me, I made sure she understood that Luc’s doctor should know. He’s perfectly normal and she knows what to check for.”
Celeste could suddenly breathe again. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“Mom, I think you should read this letter,” Cal said.
“What you and your brother had to say to each other is between the two of you.” She didn’t want to know what Wes had said about her.
“He didn’t leave because of Sera, you know,” Cal continued. “He left because Dad told him he was a disappointment. Dear old dad told him Sera couldn’t love him because he wasn’t a real man. Dad liked to play us off each other.”
“I told you not to let him do that.” She’d always gone in behind Ralph and tried to make things better.
“It doesn’t always work that way,” Angie said, taking a seat on the couch. “It’s hard to not let it get to you. Read the letter, Mom. I read it. I’m glad I did. Wes died and it wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t his fault. It wasn’t Sera’s. He died because sometimes the universe isn’t fair. Maybe he died because he’d learned what he needed to and it was time to move on. I don’t know, but I do know he wouldn’t want us to tear each other apart. I love you, but it’s time to let go. Not of Wes. We don’t ever have to let go of the love we felt for him. But you have to let go of your fear and your guilt. I need you to because I want to be a part of your life. One day I want my kids to know their opinionated, obnoxious, intelligent grandmother. I can’t do that if you put the mother of Wes’s child through hell because you have to punish someone.”
“She should have . . .” Should have what? Should have married a man she didn’t love the way Celeste herself had?
She took the letter from Cal. She owed it to her living children to do as they asked.
Dear Cal,
I’ve settled in and the surprising thing is, it’s not so bad. I like it here. Not Afghanistan, exactly. It’s hot and I’ve already had an encounter with a snake in the latrine that will stay with me the rest of my life, but there’s a peace I didn’t expect to find. Like I’m doing something good for the first time in my life. I know Mom is crazy worried, but I think I’m getting to know who I am without all the crap that comes with being a Beaumont. Like we’ve talked about. It’s good to make something from the bottom up. No one here cares what my family does. They don’t give a damn about money or how far back I can trace my ancestry. All that matters is how I do my job, how I take care of my friends. I know everyone expects me to come around and let Dad get me out of here, but I’m staying.
I met someone. She’s a translator. Her name is Mila. I’ve only been close to her a few weeks, but I already know she’s the one. I want to bring her home with me when I finally get some leave. We’ll see. It could be difficult.
But that brings me to something I need you to do for me. Check in on Sera. I did something I want so badly to take back. She came to see me and things got out of hand. I said some things I had no right to say to her, reacted in a way I definitely shouldn’t have. For so long she was an escape for me. I didn’t treat her the way she deserved to be treated and I want to make sure she’s all right. Tell her I understand. Ask her to forgive me. I scared her the last time we were together. It’s why I’m not writing her. I gave up the right, but let her know I would love to hear from her.