Page 143 of The Flirty Vet

I crouch down and hover the box just above the surface of the water. Tears well in my eyes and start falling down myface. I grasp onto what little memories I still have of her, faded photographs in a mental family album that get fainter with each passing year.

"I love you, Mom," I whisper, as I tip the ashes into the water. "I may not remember you as well as I'd like to, but I promise I'll never forget you."

I watch as the ashes float then disperse in the water, getting carried away by the gentle stream. I stay crouched like that until my feet start going numb.

When I turn around, Wilby's standing there, and my heart explodes with so much love for him. I run over to him and hug him tightly.

"You did a great job. She'd be proud of you."

"I hope so."

"I know so. Look."

I draw back and turn around to look where Wilby's pointing. "Holy shit. I've never seen that before."

"I've seen a couple." He smiles, latching onto my hand. "But double rainbows are pretty rare around here."

"It's beautiful."

We stand in silence, taking in the two luminous half circles.

"I can feel her," I say quietly. "I canfeel her."

Wilby doesn't say anything, and he doesn't move until I'm ready. After a few minutes, I turn around, and we walk back toward the Land Rover.

"Lunch is probably ready," he says.

I smile weakly. "Would you believe me if I told you I'm not really hungry?"

He claps my back. "More for me, then."

We jump in the car and drive back to the house in silence.

I feel good about what I just did. It was time to let Mom go. I needed to do it, and while I'm sad, I'm also…lighter.

It was definitely the right thing to do.

Even if it means that today, I have to say goodbye to two people I love.

32

Wilby

I'm lying in bed late at night, awake and sweating like a motherfucker. It's so stinking hot I've kicked the sheet off, and the only reason I'm keeping my sleep shorts on is because of the inevitable munchkin invasion.

I still have some time before that happens, so I engage in my usual late-night,can't sleep because I miss Colroutine. I scroll all the way up through the weeks and weeks of messages he and I have exchanged…and I re-read them from the top, my eyes flitting over whatever words stick out for me this time.

Wilby:This is me with zero chill, but I miss you already.

Col:Aw, Wilby. You think you ever had chill around me?

Col:I'm not even at the airport yet… But, for the record, I miss you, too.

Wilby:Is it my cock?

Col:And don't say anything about your cock?—

Col:Dammit, you type fast.