RAISING SUMMER

THIS IS SUMMER

"Hey Rachel, it's me Jane." I sat on the grass before Rachel's headstone.

"Well it's been awhile since I've seen you, and I miss talking to you."

"Summer is so beautiful. She looks just like you. I see a little piece of you in her everyday."

"She talks now, not really understandably. Mostly a foreign type language made up primarily of vowels and little consonants. She crawls not exactly walking but a small step in the right direction right." I laughed a little to myself. "Oh you'll never believe what her first word was! Ma can you believe it! She's getting so big." You would be so proud of her. I glanced at Luke and Summer playing in the garden of the cemetery. "I miss you." I sighed. "Luke does too, I know he tries to hide it but I can tell when his mind wanders back to you. Can I tell you a little secret? I know we had a sister code, no dating hot brothers but I think I love him, I have for what seems like forever but it just took me awhile to realize it." I sighed with a weak smile on my face.

"I tell Summer stories about us. I know someday she will find Rachel. I know she's really your daughter but I promise you I will never leave her. I will treat her as if she was my own. Even one day if she grows up and protests otherwise. I'm going to sit outside her door every time we argue. I promise to tuck her in every night. I won't leave her without kissing her goodbye. There's nothing I wouldn't do for her." A tear escaped my eye. Luke and Summer approached me from behind.

"Are you ready for us?" He asked.

"Yes." I wiped the tears away. Sitting Summer on my lap Luke sat next to me.

"Rachel, this is Summer Jane Barrett." I smiled. As Luke laced his fingers in mine.

"Ma." Summer giggled.

"Summer, can you say mama?" I asked.

"Ma ma." She smiled excitedly.

"I guess there's only one thing left to say." I sighed, placing the bouquet of freshly picked white roses next to her head stone.

"We promise to take care of your little Summer."