Bennett grinned. “Unless you want to end up walking about two miles or so in total. I’m game if you are.”
Katie climbed on the back of the tractor eagerly and he laughed. When he drove off, she squealed in excitement and her arms tightened around his waist.
There wasn’t as much to see at this time of year— mid-April was still too early for the corn to be planted but it was a clear spring day and the air was refreshingly cool against the skin. There were few things Bennett loved more than exploring the rolling terrain of his family’s property and knowing that he was part of preserving it for future generations.
He rolled to a stop after about five minutes and turned off the engine. Katie climbed down carefully and looked around.
“It’s just this way,” Bennett said, gesturing ahead of where he’d parked.
Katie took his hand as they walked and he tried not to read too much into it. Maybe she just wanted help to keep her footing. As they walked, the earth under their feet changed and became rockier.
“Wow, this is beautiful.” Katie shaded her eyes from the sun as she got her first glimpse of the river. “How did I not know this was here?”
“This river serves as an unofficial boundary between New Haven and the next county, West Haven. That land over there,” he pointed to the other side of the river, “belongs to my father’s brother.”
Katie smiled. “So all of this is Alexander land? How cool.”
“There’s an interesting story behind it, too. Because there was a time when the land wasn’t divided. But all of that changed with my grandparents’ generation.”
He walked back about fifty feet from the river’s edge until they came to a tree. Bennett placed his hand on the trunk and traced his fingers over the initials carved into the bark. A heart with initials inside was clearly visible. His father came around periodically and kept it fresh.
Katie leaned closer to examine the mark. “MA + JB. Is that your parents?” Her eyes sparkled in wonder.
Bennett nodded. “This tree is called The Alexander Oak. It was planted on The Alexander homestead in the late eighteen hundreds. Our family was descended from freed slaves and the story goes that the first Alexanders in this county, John and Sarah, carved their initials into this tree to mark their territory. Every family that has lived here afterward has done the same. They fade over time of course but my father keeps his carving and the one his father did fresh by touching them up from time to time.”
He stopped suddenly. “Sorry, you probably didn’t want a mini-history lesson.”
Katie touched his arm gently. “No, I love hearing about your ancestors. I've always been fascinated by history. By the idea that something we do can last for generations. Sometimes I wonder what my legacy will be or if I'll even have one. I don't feel like I'm contributing much to the world.”
“Of course you are.”
She rolled her eyes teasingly. “That's easy for you to say Mr. Ten Patents. Your name is being inscribed in history books even as we speak. You're making a real difference in the world, Bennett. Whereas I’m just trying to keep it together. Since my kid is drawing pictures at school of our fractured family, clearly I’m not doing such a great job.”
Katie sat at the base of the tree and glanced around. Not wanting to push her, Bennett lowered himself to the ground next to her. There was something comforting about sitting here where so many of his ancestors had stood and worked to overcome obstacles far greater than any he’d ever see in his lifetime. It made him think that no matter what happened, if you had family, you could get through it.
Bennett looked over at Katie. His father had once told him that families aren’t just born, they’re created. He’d thought he understood at the time. After all no one was born married with children. But in that moment, he understood with greater clarity. No family was ever created without someone taking a chance. Someone reaching out and taking that leap, to love another with their whole heart.
“Katie, you are a great mother. I’ve seen you with your children and they are bright, curious and well-loved little boys. Your name will be remembered for generations to come by your children and their children. You don't realize how instrumental you are in their lives. Just like I'm telling the story of John and Sarah Alexander, your children will tell stories about their brave mother who traveled here from Barbados to a new life.”
When she looked over at him, she wore her insecurity on her face like a mask. “You really think so? Because I feel like I’m trying to juggle so many things and failing at all of them.”
Shock had Bennett sitting up straight. Katie thought she was failing at everything? He could understand she had concerns about her children, b
ut how could she not know how much she’d helped him?
“How can you think you’re failing at everything? Look at how much you've helped me. I successfully participated in an inane conversation about the weather at the grocery store this morning. With a stranger!”
As he’d hoped, she laughed. “I hope you didn't have to interrupt anything important to come here today.”
Bennett thought about the meeting he’d rescheduled with his architect. For the fourth time. He winced. It would be a miracle if the guy didn’t quit.
“Nothing important.”
Katie didn’t look like she believed him but luckily she didn’t call him out on it. “Thank you for talking me off the ledge. I just saw that picture that Hunter drew and it hit me really hard. He’s never had any kind of problem in school before. I’d hate to think that all this stuff with the divorce is ruining his life.”
Bennett reached over tentatively and took her hand. Her fingers flexed in his but she didn’t pull back.
“I had some problems in school when I was his age. If I’m this awkward now, I’m sure you can imagine what I was like at seven. My parents were worried about me, too. That I wasn’t fitting in and that I would struggle in life as a result. They had no idea what to do either so they just loved me harder and despite my issues, I’m doing all right. I have my doctorate. Plenty of money. Financial freedom. Hunter will be just fine, too. How could he not be with a mom who'd do anything for him?”