Free A Million Wishes by Deanna Felthauser Page A

doing. Sounds like school has been going well and you’re about to graduate.”
     
    “ Yes ma’am. I’m so glad too. I’m ready to really dig in and finish my trilogy I’ve started.”
     
    “ Well I can’t wait to read them. I’ll be at the bookstore the first day it comes out!”
     
    Mikayla smiled at Vivi and took her hand in hers. “Callum told me about Noah this morning. Is there anything I can do? Do you know when he’ll be home yet?”
     
    Vivi got choked up and squeezed her hand. Matthias spoke up answering for her. “I imagine it will be a couple of weeks Miki. They’ll have to process him out and he’ll be going to Norfolk to see the families of the ones they lost. We’re going to be setting up the bedroom here downstairs for him just to make it easier on him until he gets used to maneuvering around.”
     
    “ Well if there’s anything I can do, let me know ok? I’ll be here until Sunday then I have to head back to school. I have my finals coming up so I need to hit the books and catch up from missing this week.”
     
    “ Oh goodness me where’s my manners! Mikayla, Callum, sweethearts, we were so sorry to hear about your Momma. Is there anything we can do for you? When is the service going to be, do you know yet?”
     
    Callum answered “It will be on Saturday Vivi. Momma requested only a small graveside service but y’all are more than welcome to come.”
     
    “ Of course we’ll be there. You kids are like family to us.”
     
    They continued small talk for a little while until Callum looked at the time and excused them. “We have to meet the rest of the family at the funeral home to finalize the plans so we need to get going. Thank you for the tea and cookies Vivi, it was wonderful as always.”
     
    Mikayla hugged them both “Please call me if you need anything, if I can help in any way or if you hear from him. I’ll be at Callum’s until Sunday then I’ll be heading back to Atlanta. Once school is out I’ll be coming back here. Momma…she left me the house and land so I’m going to move in after I finish this semester. Will you tell Noah for me if he calls?”
     
    “ Oh Miki darlin’ that is so wonderful! Noah will be tickled pink to hear you are moving back. I know I am!” Vivi hugged her again and walked to the door with them.
     
    “ Now if you want to come visit while you’re in town you just stop on by ok sweetheart? I’ll bring a casserole over to your house tonight Callum. Your sweet wife shouldn’t have to worry about cooking right now and it will give me something to do.”
     
    “ Thank you Vivi, she’ll appreciate the thought ma’am.”
     
    They drove in silence, each lost in thought. Once they all got to the funeral home the arrangements went smoothly and they all went in to see their mother. Miki was shocked how tiny she was. She had to have been less than a hundred pounds, gaunt and pale. Tears slipped down her face and she reached to touch her Mothers face, leaning down and kissing her cheek whispering that she was sorry, she forgave her and she hoped she would forgive her as well. It was all she could take so she walked out, ignoring her siblings and walking outside to take a deep breath of cool air. Life was so very cruel sometimes. One shouldn’t have to bear so many burdens, so much pain. She sincerely hoped her mother had found peace and was walking in Heaven with Daddy now. No illness, no regrets.
     
    Reaching in her pocket she took out her ever present pen and notepad, jotting down thoughts when a butterfly landed on her hand then another on her notepad. Soon they were fluttering all around her, such a beautiful site that brought fresh tears to her eyes. Her mother had loved butterflies. She had the house decorated in them and had all sorts of butterfly things in her garden. Then one landed on her cheek. Fluttered, tickling her until she laughed, then flew around her once before flying high into the sky. Miki wasn’t sure what had just