The Gravity of Us (Elements #4)(52)

“Her tree?” Susie asked.

“Yeah. After my mom passed away years ago, we planted a tree to honor her memory, taking a life and making it grow, even after death. So, each holiday we go, eat licorice—Mama’s favorite candy—and sit around the tree, listening to music and breathing in the earth.”

“That’s so beautiful.” Karla sighed. She turned to Susie and slapped her in the arm. “When I die, will you plant a tree in my memory?”

“I’ll plant a beer—seems more fitting,” Susie replied.

Karla’s eyes widened and she leaned in to kiss Susie. “I’m going to marry you so hard in three months, woman.”

Lucy’s eyes widened with joy. “When are you two getting married?”

“Fourth of July weekend, the weekend we met,” Karla said, giddy. “We were going to wait until next year, but I can’t wait any longer.” She turned to Professor Oliver, smiling wide. “I just need my papa to walk me down the aisle and give me away to my love.”

“It’s going to be the best day,” Oliver replied, taking his daughter’s hand and kissing it. “Only second best to the day you officially became my daughter.”

My heart expanded even more.

“Well, if you need a florist, it’ll be my treat,” Lucy offered.

Susie’s eyes widened. “Seriously? That would be amazing. Like, beyond amazing.”

If it weren’t for the love I saw between Professor Oliver and Mary, and the love between Karla and Susie, I would’ve been certain love was an urban legend, something made only for fairytale books.

But the way those people stared at one another, the way they loved so freely and loudly…

True, romantic love was real.

Even if I’d never been able to feel it for myself.

“You know, Graham still needs a plus one for the ceremony. Hint, hint.” Susie smirked widely.

I rolled my eyes, feeling a knot in my stomach. A quick change of subject was needed. “Susie and Karla are amazing singers,” I told Lucy, leaning in and nudging her in the side. “That’s how they met—at a Fourth of July music showcase. You should ask them to sing something.”

“Graham is full of crap,” Karla replied, throwing a piece of bread at him.

“No, he’s not.” Mary smiled. “I might be a bit biased, but they are amazing. Come on, girls, sing something.” Right at that moment, Talon’s baby monitor started going off, telling us she was up from her nap. “I’ll grab her, and you ladies pick out a song,” Mary ordered.

“Mom, geez, no pressure, huh?” Karla rolled her eyes, but there was a bit of light in her gaze that revealed how much she loved to perform. “Fine. What do you think, Susie? Andra Day?”

“Perfect,” she agreed, standing up. “But I’m not singing at the table. This diva needs a stage.”

We all headed to the living room, and I sat on the sofa next to Lucy. Mary walked in with my daughter in her arms, and for a moment I considered that was what a grandmother should’ve looked like. Happy. Healthy. Whole. Filled with love.

Talon had no clue how lucky she was to have a Mary.

I hadn’t a clue how lucky I was to have a Mary, too.

Karla sat down at the piano in the corner, stretched out her fingers, and began to play “Rise Up” by Andra Day. The music floating from the piano was stunning all on its own, but when Susie started to sing, I thought the whole room felt the chills. Lucy’s eyes were glued to the performance, while mine stayed glued to her. Her body started to tremble, and her legs shook as she watched the girls perform. It was as if the words were swallowing her whole as tears began to stream down her cheeks.

Her tears fell faster and faster as the lyrics of the song found her heart and planted their seeds. She blushed nervously and tried to wipe her tears away, but when she wiped some away, more came.

The next time she went to wipe them, I took her hand in mine, stopping her. She turned my way, confused, and I squeezed her hand lightly. “It’s okay,” I whispered.

Her lips parted as if she were going to speak, but then she just nodded once before turning back to the girls and closing her eyes. The tears kept falling as she listened to the beautiful vocals, her body rocking slightly as I held her hand.

For the first time, I began to understand her fully.

The beautiful girl who felt everything.

Her emotions weren’t what made her weak.

They were her strength.

When the girls finished performing, Lucy started clapping, the tears still falling. “That was so amazing.”

“Are you sure you’re not crying because we suck?” Karla laughed.

“No, it was so amazing. My mom would have…” She paused for a moment and took a deep breath. “She would’ve just loved it.”

My eyes fell to our hands, which were still clasped together, and I released my hold, along with the tugging feeling in my chest.

When night came, we packed up our things, thanking everyone for including us.

“It was amazing,” Lucy told Mary and Ollie as she hugged them both tightly. “Thank you for keeping me from sitting on my couch eating Ben & Jerry’s tonight.”

“You’re always welcome here, Lucy,” Mary said, kissing her cheek.