Chapter 14 - The Fresh Start
We walked out of the courthouse onto steps.
Bright afternoon sunshine bathed the stone plaza below.
Fresh cool air filled my lungs as smiled.
Amy held my arm tightly, smiling through tears.
Little Frederick clapped his tiny hands in joy.
"We are finally free, Connor," Amy whispered.
"Nobody can ever hurt our family again now."
"Nobody, sweetheart," I replied, kissing her forehead.
We purchased a beautiful new home near coast.
A modern three-story house surrounded by green trees.
Far away from the toxic small-town family.
Two months passed peacefully in our coastal home.
I opened my own independent structural engineering firm.
Amy opened a private children's art academy downtown.
Color and full physical strength returned to her.
She was happy, peaceful, and thriving every day.
Frederick took his first steps across living room.
Everything seemed safe, secure, and perfectly complete now.
Tonight was a quiet, warm evening in late summer.
The sunset painted the sky in pink gold.
Amy and I sat on the porch drinking.
Frederick was fast asleep in his wooden crib.
A mail courier van pulled up to driveway.
The driver stepped out holding a brown package.
"Delivery for Mr. Connor Vance," driver called.
I walked down porch steps, signing digital pad.
"Thank you," I said, taking small box.
The cardboard package had no return address listed.
May you like
I walked back to the wooden porch table.
I pulled open the brown sealing tape carefully.
