Chapter 12 - The Light In The Room
The drive to Oakwood Assisted Living felt entirely different today.
The sky was a brilliant, cloudless blue. The air was crisp and full of autumn leaves.
I walked into the facility with my head held high, no longer worried about how I would pay the next bill.
I walked into my mother’s new suite.
It was beautiful. Corner windows overlooking a private garden, soft armchairs, and a large vase of fresh lilies on the table.
My mother was sitting by the window, the sunlight catching the silver braided bracelet on her wrist.
“Hi, Mom,” I said softly, pulling up a chair beside her.
She turned to me. Her eyes were clear today.
“Maggie,” she smiled. “You look beautiful. You look happy.”
“I am, Mom.”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the gold pocket watch.
I placed it gently into her palms.
She looked down at it. She traced the engraving on the back.
“Your father’s,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. “I haven't seen this in thirty years.”
“He was a hero, Mom. He saved people.”
She nodded slowly, a profound peace settling over her tired features.
“I always knew he was,” she said.
Just then, the door to the suite opened.
A tall young man walked in, carrying a stack of architecture textbooks and two coffees.
He had dark hair, high cheekbones, and a smile that lit up the entire room.
Toby.
“Hey, Mags,” he grinned, setting the coffees down. “Mom having a good day?”
He walked over and kissed her cheek.
My mother patted his hand, her face glowing with pure, unconditional love.
“The best day, Toby,” she said.
I watched them together.
A boy who was born into darkness, raised in the light.
Tomorrow, he was going to meet a man named Luca for coffee. He didn't know yet that the man was his father. But he would. And they would have a lifetime to figure it out.
The mafia curse was broken.
The secrets were buried.
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I leaned back in my chair, sipping my coffee, and watched the sunlight dance across my father’s gold watch.
We were finally free.
