My brothers best friend

Chapter 27: Love, Laughter and the Risk of Falling

Chapter 27

Valerie's Point of View

The warmth of the sun on my skin felt like a hug I didn't know I needed. The breeze carried the sweet scent of wildflowers from the field behind the house, mingling with the faint aroma of cinnamon and sugar wafting from the kitchen. I stood in the yard, my hands resting on the wooden table, as Jack danced around me with a mason jar in his hands.

"Look, Valerie!" he shouted, holding the jar high. "I caught a butterfly!"

I leaned closer to admire his prize, the sunlight glinting off the jar's glass. Inside, a small, delicate butterfly fluttered its orange and black wings. Jack's face was lit up with pride, his cheeks flushed from running in the afternoon heat.

"Careful with it," I said gently, though I couldn't help smiling at his enthusiasm. "We'll have to let it go soon, or it might get scared."

"But I just caught it!" he protested, his lower lip jutting out.

"Jack," came Abuela's voice from the porch, a teasing lilt in her tone. "If you're going to argue, at least bring the jar over here so I can see the butterfly too."

Jack trotted over, his excitement renewed as he showed off his catch to Abuela, who was sitting in a rocking chair with a basket of fresh herbs in her lap. She leaned forward, her sharp, wise eyes softening as she examined the butterfly.

"Ah," she said with a smile. "Mariposa monarca. You know, Jack, in my village we always believed butterflies carry messages. Maybe this one has something to tell you."

Jack's eyes widened, his wonder palpable. "Really? What kind of messages?"

"Good ones, of course," she said, her voice warm. "But they only share their messages if you let them fly free."

Jack turned back to me, his expression torn between wanting to keep his new friend and the magic Abuela had promised. Finally, he sighed and carefully unscrewed the jar's lid. The butterfly hesitated for a moment, then fluttered upward, catching the light like a living ember before disappearing into the sky.

Jack grinned up at me. "Do you think it'll come back?"

"Maybe," I said, ruffling his hair. "If it has more messages for you."

I watched him race off toward the far end of the yard, his laughter echoing. My chest felt light, like the weight I'd carried for so long had finally been lifted. Yesterday, the idea of feeling this way had seemed impossible. Now, standing here in the sunshine, surrounded by Jack's joy and Abuela's calm presence, I realized I was smiling without forcing it.

The thought surprised me.

"Valerie," Abuela called softly, breaking me out of my thoughts. She patted the chair next to hers. "Come sit with me, mija."

I joined her on the porch, letting the gentle creak of her rocking chair and the rhythmic rustle of her herbs fill the comfortable silence between us.

"You look better today," she said after a moment, her voice quiet but perceptive.

"I feel better," I admitted, folding my hands in my lap. "Lighter."

She nodded, as if she'd been expecting my answer. "Sometimes, keeping pain inside only makes it grow heavier. Sharing it with someone who loves you—it doesn't make it disappear, but it does make it bearable."

I thought of Jake, of the way he'd held me last night when I couldn't hold myself together anymore. He hadn't judged me. He hadn't asked for more than I could give. He'd just been there, solid and steady, reminding me I wasn't alone.