Thirteen: Closure

     Kate stood by the lake watching the sunrise. It was beautiful, she tried to come to terms with the events that had transpired. Everything that has happened over the past six months. From meeting John , to Cameron's confession, and her own guilt. It all came full circle.

     John arrived to her surprise, she wasn't expecting anyone.

     "How are you doing Kate?"

     "I'm .... taking it all in " she said. John gazed at the lake, it was peaceful the stillness had intrigued him.

     "I understand why you chose to come here " he said looking at her.

     "You were right .... but it's still so hard ."

     "Healing always takes time Kate , but your headed in the right direction."

     "How can you be so sure ?" she replied wiping away tears.

     "Because you've accepted Ruth's death and let go of Riley ." She knew he was right, but those words killed her. She felt all the grief hit her at full force. Her precious daughter had lost the battle with cancer. She bowed her head trying to process everything. John held her.

     "Ruth was a beautiful girl you should be proud ."

     "I am John ... I miss her so much." They both realized how much Ruth changed their outlooks on life.

     For Kate her daughter brought her joy back , she also made her understand her neglect. All the long hours at her job. All those nights she would come home late to find Ruth asleep. The school activities she would miss , but in this very moment none of that mattered. The only thing that mattered was Kate's acceptance of it all.

     For John he would had never thought his life would be so changed. From meeting the Shermans, to making a connection with Ruth, to saving Kate and Cameron from themselves. In ways he thanked God , for it was His will to bring the family together through John.

     "I plan to leave the state soon" John said.

     "Where will you go , what will you do"?

     "I'm going to remodel my grandparents house in Maine" John said.

     "Sounds interesting ."

     "It's something I've always planned to do I feel now is the time ."

     "Good luck ..... and thank you John for everything ."

     "Your welcome Kate ... take care of yourself " he said getting in his car driving away. Kate watched him as he waved , she waved back holding back tears . She smiled as thoughts of Ruth ran through her mind. Her daughter was gone , but never forgotten. She would return to her life as a professor teaching psychology. She and Cameron would face this loss with courage and strength. They would both come to the lake every year to honor their daughters. They would always remember what John did for them , they were forever grateful.

Extraordinary Gifts Of John Kelsing