New Winslow S8E63 – Series Finale
It turned out that the ocean did sound just a little different than he thought it did. But after over twenty years of only hearing it on TV, Roman had to figure he couldn’t blame himself too badly for his surprise as he stepped out onto the beach. The tide was out and the waves crashed in the distance as he gripped his bag and walked up the small path through the dunes.
For a September morning, it was cold out here. And windy. And, ideally, the beach was mostly deserted. As Roman took in the vast beach and the even vaster ocean, he was almost glad for the wind burning his face because he knew he’d have some privacy as he reached the shoreline.
He walked silently. This was a beautiful place, somewhere perfect for the kind of family vacation he’d only ever imagined for so long. This time, he had wanted to come alone, which Celine had completely supported. Minnie’s niece Janice had offered up her guest room to him tonight, but he wanted to get home when he was done. But maybe another time they’d bring the kids and spend a night or two out here. Hell, maybe a week.
It was a long walk to reach the surf. A walk was good for him, obviously. It had been about nine months now since his heart attack and while everything wasn’t completely better, he was alive and whole. And he wanted to stay that way, but he’d take most of his walks somewhere that didn’t have a sandy ocean breeze stripping the skin off his face.
Roman pulled out the little velvet bag and considered his options as the sea water swirled around his boots. A solid gust of wind was going to blow Minnie’s ashes all over his jeans, nowhere near the farewell he wanted to give her. But if he put them straight into the sea, then they’d get pulled out to join the rest of eternity.
He thought of his dream, of her pink puff hat, of the way they looked out over the ocean together. And with that thought in mind, he slid the plastic bag of ashes out of its velvet carrying bag and opened it.
“I love you, Minnie,” Roman said into the wind as he poured the ashes into the water. There weren’t many, most of her remains had been interred with Jim nearby. But the small amount she had willed to him whirled in the surf, spinning as the wave foamed and crashed, spraying Roman’s jeans with icy cold water.
And when it pulled out, he didn’t see the ashes anymore. Minnie was gone.
Roman stayed where he was for another moment, feeling the waves though his toes were going numb inside his worn boots. Finally, he turned and walked silently back up the beach. His legs ached as he got back to the truck and hopped into the driver’s seat.
As he was pulling onto the road, Roman dialed Celine. “Hey babe,” he said as her voicemail picked up. “I’m on my way home, I’ll be in New Winslow in about three hours. Love you.”
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The fire was crackling cheerfully in its pit while Olivia crouched beside it, feeding in newspapers and grocery circulars Noah had piled on the deck earlier. Andrew and Cleo sat on either side of her and Noah could hear them all talking as he walked into the backyard, though he couldn’t pick out what they were saying. Still, everyone sounded happy and he took a moment along the side of the house to just watch them.
Cleo tucked her hair behind her ear as she said something to Andrew, who laughed. The firelight glowed on his face, warming it in a way that sent yet another bolt of stunned gratitude through Noah.
He knew he’d look creepy standing here in the shadows if anyone were to turn around and spot him. He’d seen a number of spirits lurking just like this in corners of shops and streets lately, and a few in the hospital where he was in his second week of outpatient rehab. Those ones always broke his heart. Some of them seemed to see him, but others didn’t, just lingering in the halls of the clinic, seemingly oblivious to everything around them.
He didn’t know if he’d ever stop seeing them. Like Celine had said, she couldn’t determine how the door would heal. Especially after she’d patched up the tears in his soul. So Noah might be stuck with this, just like Liv. But maybe there was something good to be found there. Maybe he could support her.
Or, as she’d be quick to correct him, maybe they could support each other.
He walked out of the shadows, clutching the strap of his old backpack as it hung over one shoulder. Cleo was the first to notice him, turning as his boots sounded on the wet lawn.
“There he is!” she called, waving.
The other two turned and Andrew’s face lit up as he stood to greet Noah, his less practical shoes sinking into the muddy grass as he walked over. “I missed you,” he said, leaning up to kiss Noah.
“Sorry I’m late,” Noah said. “I left the clinic a few minutes late, then got stuck in traffic. Have you guys been here long?”
“A couple hours,” Andrew replied. “Come on, come join us.”
Olivia looked up from where she was feeding the fire, smiling at him. “Can you grab some more wood while you’re up?” she asked.
For Liv, he’d go across the world for that firewood. “Sure,” he said. “Be right there.”
He kissed Andrew again, motioning for him to go back over to the fire where it was warmer. Andrew didn’t argue, but Noah noticed him pulling another chair closer to the flames as he walked over to the wood pile.
There was still so much to do. Tomorrow he’d be working delivery at the House of Pizza, then joining the others to see what else they needed to improve at the house in order to set up the Limerick in its new form. There were still repairs needed on the house too, though some of the bigger ones might have to wait until he had his wrist checked again. The day after that, he’d spend the entire day in Athol, back at Central Mass Recovery and trying his best to exorcise any shame he felt at the prospect. But throughout all of it, he knew he had the support he needed to keep going. And now he was getting back the strength to be that support for the people most important to him as well.
He picked up a few of the logs he’d split the other day and turned back around. The forest beyond his stone wall was dark, the yard’s flood light blocked by the slowly changing trees. That mountain lion was probably out there somewhere, wasn’t it? And things watched from the darkness, they always would. But for now, he was home and they were safe.
With that thought in mind, Noah went back to join his friends.
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END OF NEW WINSLOW
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