Chapter 8 - Mason Finally Returned to the Grave of the Woman Who Had Asked Him to Leave the Mafia, and He Finally Told Her He Had Kept His PromiseClaire's grave stood beneath an oak tree.
Mason went alone.
He placed flowers beside the stone.
“Hey.”
The word felt awkward.
He hadn't spoken aloud to her in years.
“I did it.”
He smiled.
“Sophie is eighteen.”
He looked down.
“She got your eyes.”
A breeze moved through the leaves.
Mason sat.
“I spent a long time blaming myself.”
He swallowed.
“I thought if I'd stayed, I could have protected you.”
He touched the stone.
“But you were right.”
“I couldn't protect anyone while I was still that man.”
He sat quietly.
Then Sophie appeared.
She stood behind him.
“You okay?”
He turned.
“Yes.”
She sat beside him.
“Did you tell her?”
“Everything.”
“Good.”
They stayed together.
Then Sophie said:
“I found something.”
“What?”
She handed him a letter.
Claire's handwriting.
Mason stared.
“Where?”
“In Mom's old room.”
He opened it.
It was addressed to him.
Mason,
If you are reading this, I am gone.
I hope you did what I asked.
Leave.
Become boring.
Raise our daughter.
Let her know laughter is more important than fear.
I know you think the only way to protect people is to control everything around them.
But control is not protection.
Love is.
Mason cried.
Sophie held his hand.
Claire had known him better than anyone.
The letter continued.
If the past ever comes back, don't become the man they fear.
Become the father she needs.
Mason smiled.
“I kept my promise.”
Sophie hugged him.
“You did.”
They returned home.
Jace was waiting.
He had brought pizza.
Mason laughed.
“You've become family.”
May you like
Jace grinned.
“Finally.”
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