Avery,
I hope this letter finds you well, and if it has, that means that I have passed. My attorney suggested that I write this to you as I finalized my will, so here it is.
Seeing her grandmother ramble on in letterform, or any form really, is not something Avery had ever expected.
I need to apologize for a lot, or really, for everything. You never deserved to have me treat you the way that I had when you were growing up. I let my shame rule our household and I took my daughter's mistakes out on you. Words can't express how completely sorry I am for that.
A little late for that grandmother.
We did love you, your grandfather and me. I'm sure you'll never believe that and I understand if you don’t. I've kept an eye on you when you left with Aria and Mila. I hope you're enjoying Carson.
I was at both Mila and Aria's funerals. I never wanted you to see, so I hid. Losing Aria was a heartbreaking day and I knew at that moment that I needed to make amends somehow.
Now seems a bit late, I know.
You were always the brave one and I have no doubt that you will continue to be so. I'm not asking for your forgiveness, I know I don't deserve it after the way I treated you and your sister.
All I ask is that you live your life. I didn't, and I regret every moment of it.
I'm sorry for all the things you've had to endure, more than most, but you're strong, Avery, and you deserve the moon and the stars.
Don't think of me. Don't think of your mother. Think of you. Think of Mila and Aria. Think of Nick and Declan (yes, I know about them, too.). They would want you to have everything you wanted.
Make yourself happy. We all love you,
Your Grandmother Poindexter
P.S. Inside my will, which you need to take to a lawyer, is your father's name and address. I kept up with him too. It’s nice to have a private investigator in the family/ He has a wonderful family that can give you all the love we never provided. It's up to you.
An onslaught of emotions races through Avery, scattering her thoughts every which way, as she rushes across the apartment. She tosses the letter and the will onto her bed before fleeing back outside to her car.
Racing away from the complex, Avery plugs the address she had stolen from work a week ago into her GPS, heading for the one place where she knows she will feel safe.
Chapter Five
LOGAN STOPPED BY AUSTIN’S parents’ house on his way home. When he first moved to Carson, Austin’s parents immediately embraced him and treated him as if he were one of their own. It was a nice sensation, feeling wanted and loved. Austin comes from a big family, six kids all together, and his parents show love and affection equally. It's a great environment to be a part of.
Today had been another rough one. Seeing Avery in the parking lot brought another pang to his chest, identical to the aches he’s experienced for the last two weeks. He had no choice but to ignore her at work, because every time he looked at her, the urge to wrap her in his arms and never let go was almost irresistible.
While eating dinner with Joseph and Amy, Austin's parents, Amy instantly questions him, carefully trying to determine what was wrong. He didn't tell her anything more than that he wished he had grown up with her as a mother – though the thought only depresses him more.
Austin's family had invited him to hang around for a bit after the meal, but an overwhelming urge to head home was burned into the back of his brain. So after saying his goodbyes, he slid into his car and made his way back to the old Craftsman rental home.
Turning into his driveway, Logan is surprised to find Avery's SUV sitting sedentary in front of the garage. More shocking is that he finds her sitting on his steps, hunched over, head resting on her knees.
Now Logan understands that nagging sensation he had felt at dinner: she must have been upset and waiting for him. Their connection is so strong, so solid, that he can sense her emotions from miles away.
She doesn't budge as he pulls into the drive or as he steps out of the vehicle. At first, he suspected she had fallen asleep waiting for him, but as he hesitantly approaches her, Logan can hear the soul-crushing sobs wracking her body.
He wastes no time with questions, instead, he scoops her up into his arms and gently carries her into his home. Resting her on the couch, Logan leaves her momentarily to heat up some water for some tea. It's what Amy always does for her girls when they're upset.
The ceramic of the cup clanks against the wood as it is placed on the coffee table, alerting Avery of her surroundings.
"I'm sorry," she says between sniffles, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. "I didn't know where else to go."
Even though her face is blotched and red, wetness is dripping freely from her eyes and nose and her hair a knotted mess, Logan still feels his heart lurch. She’s easily one of the most beautiful creatures he’s ever laid eyes on.
"Take a few breaths and tell me what's wrong."