Love Heals

Chapter 8

Halloween passed, and we didn't do what we once did. Thea didn't even want to go get candy this year. She wanted to stay home with Ben and me, she didn't want to go to the school party they did, nothing, she wanted to be with us. She stayed in her room most of the time, and I wonder if Thanksgiving would be the same this year. We talked about going to Lovington to see everyone, but it was hard. Ben didn't want to go in case Danny tried to break out again.

We are only a week away from Thanksgiving, and I wonder if we should plan something with Cora and Caden or if we should get to go home. They have two more days of school. I wish that things were easier. Thea hasn't been asking as much about Danny, but I wonder if Jordan and she talk about him often when they talk.

"Mom, I was to go see Nora!" Thea says as she walks into the kitchen as I finish making breakfast that morning.

We are getting our first snow, which I know won't last long—it never does. Sometimes, I wish we could live somewhere where we get snow every winter, which lasts all winter. I sigh, feel Thea's cold hand on my arm, and jump.

"Mom, I want to see Nora!"

"I don't know what we are doing for break yet," I tell her, and she sighs.

"Please, Mom!" She stomps her foot slightly, and I know she just wants a break from everything here.

"Thea," Ben says as he walks into the kitchen.

"I want to see Nora. We haven't seen each other in forever!"

"Well, I don't know our plan for Thanksgiving yet, so possible," Ben says, and I look over at him with raised eyebrows.

"What?" I try and smile, but I'm angry. I agree because he's the one who doesn't ever want to go, but now he makes it sound like he wants to go.

"Mom, see, Dad wants to go!"

"I didn't say I wanted to; all I said is it's possible." He reminds her softly.

"No, DADDY! PLEASE!" She's crying now, and I wonder what's going on. Now, I stop making breakfast and wrap my arms around her. "PLEASE!"

"Thea, what's wrong?" I ask her softly. "Why is this such a big deal all of a sudden?"

"She found a photo of my father!" She says, and I all but fall to the floor.

Eva told me that she had burned all the photos of her and Danny together, so I'm trying to figure out how Nora has a picture of Danny. Looking into Ben's eyes, I see the pain building up inside of him, and I wonder what he's thinking if it's the same thing I am.

"Honey, how does she know it's your father?" Ben asks softly, finding his voice before me.

"Danny White, with sister Amy White!" She yells at him. "Who else would it be?"

"Yearbook," I look at Ben.

"Yeah, yearbook, Mom!" Thea says, and I know I'm in trouble when she's a teenager. "Now, I want to go see Nora; I want to see photos of him. So, take me to Lovington, or I'll find my way there!"

Being just ten years old, she knows what she wants. I try not to laugh, and I know I won't be able to hold back for long. I know she'll find a way there, and she has several people she could call who would drop everything and come running to help her. She's strong-willed, and I wouldn't change it for anything. As much as I am hurting, I know that this is all a part of her growing up and learning about Danny.

"I know," I reply, seeing Ben lean against the chair behind him. "So, I guess Lovington for Thanksgiving."

"Good, we can leave today!"