Chapter 14 - The Fresh Start
Three months passed peacefully in our new coastal home.
We bought a beautiful two-story house near blue ocean.
Surrounded by tall green trees and fresh sea breeze.
Far away from the toxic memories of past trauma.
I opened my own independent pediatric health clinic downtown.
Color, health, and full joy returned to my life.
Margaret spent her days gardening and reading on porch.
We felt a deep, unbreakable sense peace inside hearts.
The nightmare that haunted us was gone forever now.
Tonight was a quiet, warm Sunday evening in late summer.
The sunset painted the sky in shades pink gold.
Margaret and I sat on the porch drinking tea.
A mail courier van pulled up to our driveway.
The driver stepped out, holding a small brown package.
"Delivery for Ms. Emily Hayes," the driver called.
I walked down porch steps, signing the digital pad.
"Thank you," I said, taking the cardboard box.
The package had no return address listed on label.
May you like
I walked back to the wooden porch table carefully.
I pulled open the brown sealing tape with fingers.
