Under the deep eaves on the front porch of the Renshaws’ cabin, Jayden poked a stick at two smoldering leather chairs, while Kolt staggered out the French doors carrying a large black plastic trash bag amateurishly sealed with gray duct tape. I done my duty.
Kolt wore a resolute expression on his face as his father shuffled over to steady the wheelbarrow where a smaller trash bag already slumped across the rusting bucket. Both plastic wrapped forms displayed a roundness at one end.
“Shame Angelina got so much of Holly in her,” Cecil said, looking at Kolt.
Lowering the larger burden crossways over the top of the smaller form, Kolt was careful not to bump either rounded ends.
“No reason not to show some respect, son. Let ’em lay side by side,” Cecil said.
Bracing himself, Kolt’s upper lip twitched while he adjusted the second bag as his father directed. Finished, he noticed his father caressing his mother’s jewelry set in his right hand; Holly’s heart-shaped silver locket, Lina’s ornate silver lighter, and Faye’s silver earrings.
“Your Mama’s gonna be pleased,” Cecil said, responding to Kolt’s glance. “Faye always did have her eye on completing the set.”
Taking the worn wooden handles in his oversized hands, Kolt hefted the back of the wheelbarrow with a wobble, before finding the center of the dead weight over the single rubber wheel. Filling out his olive-green jacket in a way he had not done before, Kolt looked out on the world with a new sense of place as a fresh glint of maturity entered his hazel eyes.
“You done good, son.” Cecil slapped Kolt on the shoulder. “Today you was a man.”
Kolt nodded with pride and glanced at Jayden. “Your day’s coming, JD. I just hope you grow up before it grows you up. Okay, time we take care of your Mama.” With a strenuous step, Kolt rolled the wheelbarrow forward, while Jayden drug a shovel behind them and Cecil held the boy’s free hand.
“Best we ain’t lazy this time,” Kolt said, “Let’s take the two lover’s on down to the cold spring creek.”
With Kolt taking the lead of the somber procession, they began to stroll down the quiet river trail, through the beautiful moonlit night, to conclude their family’s duty. With the beginning of a fresh new year in the Suiattle River valley, the new head of the Cousins household smiled at his family’s long awaited second chance.
“We’s finally free,” Kolt said to his father.
“Yes—and so is Angel,” Cecil said. “She’s with her Luke like she always dreamed.”