When the Wind Chimes - Mary Ting Page 0,82

that would be enough. Some people were meant to stay a while and some were meant to be in passing. Unfortunately, he happened to be in the latter.

“Look. I got two swords that light up.” Tyler jumped in front of me, showing off the present from Grandma Fuller. He tossed me one. “We can play.”

“Hold on a minute.” Abby held out a hand. “Wait until we finish. You have more presents. Unless you want me to take them back to the person who gave them to you.”

“No. I’ll be good.” Tyler stilled, and then, as if he remembered something, he rushed to the box and gave Abby an envelope. “I don’t think this is mine. It doesn’t have my name on it.”

Abby shifted her legs on the floor to get comfortable. With an inhale of a deep breath, she opened the envelope. As she read, tears streamed down her face.

I dragged my butt on the floor closer and wrapped my arms around her. Sympathy tears dampened my own cheeks. “What’s wrong?”

Abby’s voice cracked. “Bless her heart. My mother-in-law wrote me a check. She said some of the money came from friends and people from her church for Steve’s funeral, but she added to it.” She sobbed, taking a moment. “She wants to give it to Tyler, for his education.”

Tyler kneeled on the other side of Abby and hugged her. I wiped away my tears and so did Mother. Father had his head lowered. The silent moment lingered for a bit, and somehow it felt like Steve was with us, telling Abby that everything was going to be okay.

The doorbell chimed, breaking our somber thoughts, and I couldn’t help but think of Bridget and her mother, and also Lee.

I looked through the peephole and cracked the door halfway when I saw a uniform. The deliveryman held three boxes, two large and one small. The largest had Handle with care written on the side.

After I signed on the square tablet, Abby helped me bring them in and placed them on the tea table in front of our parents. She gave me a suspicious look and handed me a cutter from the kitchen drawer.

“It’s not from Jayden.” I cut along the tape and glared at Abby. “He wouldn’t do things like this. It’s probably from my friends.”

“Which friend? Do I know this person?” Father sipped at his second cup of coffee, which had to be cold by now.

“I don’t know, but let me find out and I’ll answer your question.” I flipped the top, annoyed and exhilarated all of sudden, and I didn’t like the two mixed together. “Oh ...” I carefully took out a Santa’s sleigh vase filled with red roses, lilies, bird of paradises, green stems, and baby’s breath.

“Wow, that’s beautiful. Who sent it?” Mother leaned closer, examining the arrangement.

I opened the sealed envelope.

To the woman who deserves everything. ~Lee

Not fair. How dare he write those words? He destroyed me without even being here.

I might deserve everything, but it doesn’t seem like I deserve you.

“What does it say? Who is it from?” Mother asked again.

“From a friend.” I handed Abby the card for her to read and I unsealed the next box.

Abby hiked her eyebrows and nudged me with her elbow. “Call him,” she whispered so only I could hear.

I shook my head.

“What’s that smell?” Father sniffed. “It smells like chocolate.”

“Chocolate chip cookies?” Tyler’s face peered over the box I had opened. “Can I have one?”

“Of course. You’re my favorite nephew.” I wrapped him in my arms and rubbed his head.

He squirmed as he laughed. “But I’m your only nephew.”

“Exactly.” I picked up a cookie and shoved it in his mouth.

“Open the last one.” Abby handed me a box from the table.

I picked off the bow and tore through the wrapping. I laughed out loud, my heart swelling and aching at the same time. It was a large white unicorn with a rainbow-colored horn, a smaller replica of the giant one in Bridget’s room.

“There’s a card inside.” Abby took it out and gave it to me.

Kate was written on top. The elementary handwriting told me Bridget had written it but when I opened it, the writing wasn’t hers. It looked like Lee’s.

“What does it say?” Tyler looked over my shoulder.

Dear Kate,

Thank you for watching me. I had the best time with you. You are pretty and nice. I hope you have the best Christmas. I miss you.

To the unicorns, rainbows, and all the sparkling things always.

Love,

Bridget

“It’s from a friend. It says