A Thousand Boy Kisses(100)

But it won’t be for you. Because you deserve to be loved, Rune.

When you found out I was sick, I know you struggled with not being able to cure me. To save me. But the more I think about it, the more I believe that it wasn’t you who was meant to save me. Rather, I was meant to save you.

Maybe through my passing, through our journey together, you found your way back to you. The most important adventure I’d ever have.

You broke through the darkness and let in the light.

And that light is so pure and strong that it will carry you through … it will lead you to love.

As you read this, I can picture you shaking your head. But, Rune, life is short. However, I have learned that love is limitless and the heart is big.

So open your heart, Rune. Keep it open and allow yourself to love and to be loved.

In a few moments I want you to open the final box. But first, I simply want to say thank you.

Thank you, Rune. Thank you for loving me so much that I felt it every minute of every day. Thank you for my smiles, your hand so tightly holding mine…

For my kisses. All one thousand. Every one was cherished. Every one was adored.

As were you.

Know that even though I’m gone, Rune, you will never be alone. I’ll be the hand forever holding yours.

I’ll be the footprints walking beside you in the sand.

I love you, Rune Kristiansen. With all of my heart.

I cannot wait to see you in your dreams.



Dropping the letter, I felt the silent tears trickling down my face. Lifting my hand, I brushed them away. I took a deep breath, before lifting the final box onto my bed. It was larger than the rest.

I carefully opened the lid and pulled out the contents. My eyes closed as I realized what it was. Then I read Poppy’s handwritten message tied around the lid:





I stared at the large mason jar in my hand. I stared at the many blue paper hearts gathered inside. Blank paper hearts, pushing against the glass. The label on the jar read:





Clutching the jar to my chest, I lay back on my bed and just breathed. I wasn’t sure how long I lay there, staring at the ceiling, reliving every moment I’d ever had with my girl.

But when the night drew in and I thought of everything she’d done, a happy smile spread on my lips.

A peace filled my heart.

I wasn’t sure why I felt it in that moment. But I was sure that, somewhere, out there in the unknown, Poppy was watching me with a dimpled smile on her pretty face … and a big white bow in her hair.



*



One year later

Blossom Grove, Georgia



“You ready, buddy?” I asked Alton as he ran down the hallway and put his hand in mine.

“Ja,” he said and smiled up at me with a gap-toothed grin.

“Good, everyone should be there by now.”

I led my brother out the door and we walked toward the blossom grove. The night was perfect. The sky was crystal clear and filled with glittering stars and, of course, the moon.

My camera hung around my neck. I knew I would need it tonight. I knew I would have to capture this sight to keep forever.

I had made Poppymin a promise.

The sounds of people gathered in the grove hit us first. Alton looked up at me, all wide-eyed. “That sounds like a lot of people,” he said nervously.

“One thousand,” I replied, as we turned into the grove. I smiled; the pink and white petals were in full bloom. I momentarily closed my eyes, remembering the last time I was here. Then I opened them again, feeling a warmth spread through my body at this townspeople’s gathering; they had packed themselves into the small space.

“Rune!” The sound of Ida’s loud call brought me back to the here-and-now. I smiled as she ran through the crowd, only stopping when she plowed into my chest and wrapped her arms around my waist.

I laughed when she looked up at me. For a minute I saw Poppy in her young face. Her green eyes were filled with happiness as she flashed me a smile—it was dimpled too. “We’ve missed you so much!” she said, and stepped back.

When I lifted my head, Savannah was before me, hugging me gently. Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield came next, followed by my mamma and my pappa.

Mrs. Litchfield kissed me on my cheek, then Mr. Litchfield shook my hand, before bringing me in for a hug. When he stepped back, he smiled.

“You look good, son. Real good.”

I nodded. “You do too, sir.”

“How’s New York?” Mrs. Litchfield asked.

“Good,” I said. Seeing them waiting for more, I confessed, “I love it. Everything about it.” I paused, then added quietly, “She would have loved it too.”

Tears shone in Mrs. Litchfield’s eyes, then she gestured at the crowd behind us. “She’ll love this, Rune.” Mrs. Litchfield nodded and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “And I have no doubt she’ll see it up there in the heavens.”

I didn’t reply. I couldn’t.

Moving to let me pass, Poppy’s parents and sisters fell into step behind me, as my pappa placed his arm around my shoulders. Alton was still gripping my hand tightly. He’d refused to let go of me since I’d arrived home for this visit.

“Everyone’s ready, son,” my pappa informed me. Seeing a small stage in the center of the grove, a mic waiting, I made my way over, just as Deacon, Judson, Jorie and Ruby stepped into my path.