Authors: Miriam Epstein
After I take my seat again, I look out into the crowd and find my parents. My father spent almost six months in the hospital after he was shot and required several surgeries to repair all the damage surrounding his heart. Initially, he had trouble getting around because his heart could only take so much. He would get tired quickly and it frustrated him. Eventually, he healed up quite nicely and my mother even convinced him to retire.
My parents come down and visit me so often that they finally caved and bought a condo in nearby Sunny Isles. I tease them about being so Russian that they have to find all their friends, even in a different state. My mother finds it less funny when I refer to the people in their area as comrades. I remind her that she should be happy we have managed to repair our relationship. And we really have. In fact, it's probably better than it ever was. We even call one another one the phone and talk about things I never thought I would discuss with my mother. Like my boyfriend.
Brady sits next to them. He graduated last semester and has already been accepted to Miami University for his Master of Social Work. The school is far, all the way down in Coral Gables and I'm nervous that we won't see much of each other. We'll deal with that as it comes.
Once the ceremony is over, I run to Brady and he lifts me up in the air and spins us around. We kiss, but keep it mild because my parents are watching us.
"Congratulations, Bec!"
It took him a while, but Brady eventually stopped accidentally calling me Paige. Once the secret was out, I wanted to go back to my real name. Rebecca was too long for him, he said, so he started calling me Bec and I'm fine with that. My mother not so much. She gives Brady the side-eye.
He notices. "Sorry, Mrs. Levkin."
"Ignore her," I say. "She loves you."
And it's true. My parents are happy with me and happy with my choices, including my choice of boyfriend. I have wished for this kind of happiness my entire life. The only thing that dampens the joy I feel is the absence of my sister. Even though I'll never stop missing her, I have finally learned how to cope with her death and stop looking for her in everyone I meet. We honor her every year on her birthday. I also started doing the same for Elyse. We were friends for a short time, but she still made an impact on my life.
"I also love you," I tell him.
He smiles. It took me a long time, way longer than when he said those words to me, but I finally did. How could I not love someone who stuck by me through some of the worst moments of my life, yet managed to make even those times better? He was patient with me while I kept secrets from him. He never even pushed me for the full details of that night; not until he was sure I was ready to tell him
Now I find it easy to love people. I have finally learned the importance of family. I have finally stopped running.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
First and foremost, I have to thank Dr. Michael Hettich. It was his Creative Writing that inspired me to start writing again. Without his encouragement, I would never have decided to do something with my writing. You have my undying gratitude.
Arijana Karcic, who designed my beautiful cover and then basically gave me a self-publishing 101 course. You're truly invaluable.
Bryan Rietter, who gave up his time to make sure this book didn't have too many typos.
Christa Cervone, who let me ask her a million questions about publishing on messenger many nights.
Ana Zaun, who also let me ask her a million questions.
My friends, I wish I could list you all individually, but I cannot. You know who you are. You have supported and encouraged me all along.
My family, these poor people have to put up with a lot!
Thank you to all of these people. Without you, I am nothing.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Copyright © 2014 Miriam Epstein
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