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Off to the side, Kristen and Josh were still concentrating on their
kites but Katie knew that Alex could barely see them.
“After surgery, it took a few weeks for her to get back on her feet
and I wanted to believe that things were okay. But after that, week
by week, I began to notice little changes. The left side of her body
started to get weaker and she was taking longer and longer naps.
It was hard, but the worst part for me was that she began to pull
away from the kids. Like she didn’t want them to remember her
being sick; she wanted them to remember the way she used to be.”
He paused before finally shaking his head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t
have told you that. She was a great mom. I mean, look how well
they’re turning out.”
“I think their father has something to do with that, too.”
“I try. But half the time, it doesn’t feel like I know what I’m doing.
It’s like I’m faking it.”
“I think all parents feel like that.”
He turned toward her. “Did yours?”
She hesitated. “I think my parents did the best they could.” Not a
ringing endorsement, but the truth.
“Are you close with them?”
“They died in a car accident when I was nineteen.”
He stared at her. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It was tough,” Katie said.
“Do you have any brothers and sisters?”
“No,” she said. She turned toward the water. “It’s just me.”
A few minutes later, Alex helped the kids reel in their kites and
they headed back to the picnic area. The coals weren’t quite ready