Chapter 12 - THE BOY WHO REMEMBERED HIS MOTHER
After Vincent recovered, he invited Harper to meet his nephew.
The boy's name was Luca.
He was nine.
Quiet.
Serious.
And still grieving his mother.
They met at a small family restaurant.
Luca studied Harper suspiciously.
“Are you Uncle Vincent's girlfriend?”
Harper smiled.
“I think so.”
Luca looked at Vincent.
“You think?”
Vincent laughed.
“She's still deciding whether I'm worth the trouble.”
Luca nodded.
“Smart.”
Harper laughed.
They ate pizza.
Talked about school.
And eventually, Luca asked:
“Do you think people forget someone after they die?”
Harper's smile faded.
“No.”
He looked down.
“My mom used to make pancakes.”
Vincent's expression tightened.
Harper leaned forward.
“What kind?”
“Blueberry.”
She smiled.
“Then maybe someday you can teach me how she made them.”
Luca looked up.
“Really?”
“Really.”
He nodded slowly.
May you like
Then smiled.
And Vincent watched them with tears in his eyes.
