I draw in a sharp breath, but Daniel doesn’t turn to me. Quietly, he says, “Of course I do. ”
Of course.
As if my question were unnecessary. The tension seeps out of me, leaving me strangely limp. I lean back into the seat.
Daniel turns on the radio. “Jingle Bell Rock” blares from the speakers, making me smile. My mom loved this song.
“What does your family do for Christmas morning?” Bobby asks me.
“We go to church. ”
“That’s what me and Mommy used to do. ”
“I light a candle for my mom,” I add. “So she knows how much I still love her. ”
“Would you light one for my mommy?”
“If you’ll come to church with me, I will. ”
A long moment passes, punctuated by the thunk of the wipers. Then, quietly, he says, “Okay. ”
I look down at him, feeling tears sting my eyes. The courage of this boy slays me. “We can pray for her together. ”
“Okay what?” Daniel says, frowning as if he’s missed something. He turns down the radio.
“Joy’s gonna help me light a candle for Mommy on Christmas morning. ”
“In church?”
Bobby nods.
I can she how moved Daniel is by those few words. He doesn’t look at his son or me; I suspect if he did that his eyes would be moist. “I can see how Joy got her name. ”
Daniel’s voice is so soft and warm. It wraps around me like a blanket. Smiling, I rest my head against the cool window and close my eyes. All at once I’m exhausted.
Daniel pulls into the lodge parking lot and shuts off the ignition. He immediately turns to Bobby. “Come here. ”
Bobby launches himself at his dad.
“I’m so proud of you, boyo. ”
“But I don’t want Joy to leave. ”
“I know. ”
I sit up slowly. An ache blossoms in my chest at the sight of them. If ever I am inclined in the future to disbelieve in love, I will remember this moment.
Daniel tightens his hold on his son. “You’re my whole world, Bobby. You know that, don’t you? We’re a team now. You and me. ”
“What if Joy comes back later? Can she be part of us?”
Daniel smiles. He looks younger suddenly, unburdened.
I catch my breath. It would be so easy to lose myself in Daniel’s eyes, and find myself in his world.
“Maybe, boyo,” Daniel says, looking at me over Bobby’s head. “A thing like that comes down to . . . I don’t know. ”
“Fate. ”