Chapter 19 - The Warmth After the FireOn a late summer evening, the family gathered around the backyard table.
The Arizona sun slowly disappeared behind the mountains.
David grilled dinner.
Mia chased fireflies.
Leo ran through the sprinklers.
Elaine sat beneath the mesquite canopy, watching them.
David joined her.
“You know,” he said softly, “I still don't understand why you were there that day.”
Elaine smiled.
“Neither do I.”
“You saved my children.”
“Leo saved Mia.”
“And you saved Leo.”
Elaine looked at the boy running across the grass.
“Maybe we saved each other.”
David's eyes filled with tears.
He reached for her hand.
No promises were necessary.
May you like
They already had something stronger.
Family.
