He frowned and shook his head, gently rubbing her back. “I’m sorry, Joy.” He stretched out his long legs and motioned for her to sit on his lap.
When Joy sat in his lap, he wrapped his strong arms around her, comforting her.
“It hurts, I know,” he said. “But the hurt won’t last forever, honey. It’ll be all right. I’ll help you with pitching, grounders, and we’ll go to the batting cages so you can learn to hit. How does that sound?”
Joy squeezed her daddy as tightly as her little arms could. “I love you, Daddy,” she whispered.
He pecked the top of her head. “I love you too.”
Forty-six years later, in the bedroom of her home, Joy leaned against the dresser, staring into her late father’s kind eyes, remembering his voice.
Heart-stricken, Joy yearned to talk with him one more time.
“Get a grip, Joy.” Wiping the tears from her eyes, things grew clearer. Dad would want you to be strong, you know that. Starting over will be tough but not impossible. It can happen. I can do this.
“Do you want to see lovely roses, geraniums, or daisies? The seed has to break open and die before new growth can occur. . .” she remembered her grandmother saying to her as she held tiny seeds in the palm of her hand. And then Alessandro’s voice echoed in her mind as well, telling her the same thing.
The seed must die, Joy, she told herself. Old things must pass away—it’s that simple.
A light rap on the door jarred her. “Yes?” Joy cleared her throat and brushed aside tears.
“Mom? Are you okay?” Jaime’s voice was small, like a little girl’s.
It broke Joy’s heart. Tony must have called her from Rome. Way to go, Tony. She rolled her eyes.
“Yes. Come on in.” Grabbing a tissue, Joy used it to blow her nose.
The door slowly pried open. “I wanted to check on you.”
“Why? I’m fine.” Joy offered a fake laugh.
But it didn’t fool Jaime. She smirked.
“Mom . . .”
“What?” Joy lifted her suitcase and plopped it onto the bed, then unzipped it. “Just wanted to unpack, then hop in the shower.”
Jaime crossed her arms and leaned against the door. “Michael went to bed. Mind if I sleep in here tonight, since I’ve been sleeping in here every night?” She chuckled.
“I’d love that, sweetie.” Joy tossed the clothes onto the floor. “A lot of laundry to do tomorrow.”
“So . . .” Jaime bit her upper lip. “Do you want to talk about it tonight or tomorrow?”
“I take it your father called you?”
“From Rome, yes.” Jaime vented air between her lips.
“Ah.” Joy tossed a blouse onto the bed. “Do you want to talk to me about it now?” She squinted. “Because it looks like you want to talk about it now.”
Jaime shrugged and shook her head.
Joy tilted her head and raised a sardonic eyebrow.
“I just . . .” Jaime gestured as if trying to find the words. “I’m worried about you, and I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“Sit.” Joy sat on the bed and patted the comforter.
Jaime rushed over and sat next to her mom.
Taking her hand into hers, Joy squeezed it. “I’m all right, honey, okay?”
Jaime blinked back tears. “Are you?”
“I am.” Joy reached up and placed some strands of hair behind Jaime’s ear. “I promise.”
“Dad said you were pretty upset.” Jaime looked down at her bare feet on the carpet.
“I was, that’s true. I was upset.” Joy exhaled. “What exactly did he tell you?”
“That he messed things up pretty badly.” Jaime twisted her lips. “And that he was really stupid.”
Joy nodded. “Yes, he was. Really stupid.” She chuckled.
“Mom, I’m so sorry.” Jaime turned to face Joy. “I mean it.”
“Don’t be. You didn’t do anything.” Joy furrowed her brow.
“Yeah, I did. I feel like I pushed you and Dad together, and I shouldn’t have.” She stood and paced the floor. “I had some idiotic childhood fantasy of seeing you two back together and thought I could make it come true. You know me, stubborn as ever. I thought if I could get you two alone together, you’d see how perfect you are for each other.”
