The Meeting of Hearts

Izzy chose carefully her favourite clothes to pack - she intended to make the best impression possible, for Trent to be proud of her…. At the thought, her heart beat wildly! Not often does a girl meet her husband’s sister at the same time as he does. If she was confused, imagine what Trent must be feeling! He had been in another world since finding out about Abby, one moment desperate to meet her and the next, embarrassed of his past, his criminal record, his scars - and then he would avoid discussing the subject at any cost.

He spent a lot of time sitting on the hillside thinking, watching the lake and the turning leaves. Autumn was setting in properly now, the air chill and the days shorter. He was remembering, he told her - childhood memories were surfacing all the time. Aching grief mixed with the joy of rediscovery - and yet through it all, he was always mindful of her, his huge kindness always present.

When Abby’s letters started coming, Izzy was jealous. There was no space for any other woman, sister or not. She did not realise that she was so possessive over Trent - her strength of emotion scared her. And so she reminded herself again and again that there was space for so many more - she wished that he did have a whole huge family cheering him on. How could she begrudge him one sister?

And she so badly wanted to tell him the news, but she couldn't find the right moment. He was distant and preoccupied, and while she understood it all she couldn't quite bring herself to tell him.

Confusing days, all told. Trent worked long hours at the mill and kept up with his studies. Izzy taught ‘her kids’ and was in charge of the building of their cabin. She was loving everything about building their house, tucking it into the tree line that rimmed their plateau with a perfect view over the valley. In time, they would cut a path down to the lakes.

She was in love with her husband, her life, the promise of their future… And now, Trent had borrowed a car to drive the four hours south to meet Abby.

Sometimes, you just gotta do what you gotta do - and not think about it! - thought Izzy, as they loaded up and prepared to pull out.

Trent was quiet for most of the trip. They stopped to stretch their legs, but mainly for Trent to gather himself. She could feel his restlessness…. he was no stranger to mental anguish, but this was an emotional rollercoaster.

They pulled up to Miller’s Cottage, charming and inviting. How lovely, thought Izzy. Maybe Abby will help me with our cabin garden…?

Trent parked and switched off the ignition. He turned to his wife, and she took his hand.

“Do you remember the house?” she asked him. He nodded, mute…

And then the cottage door flew open and out stepped a young woman.

She wore a full white apron with a riot of rich yellow marigolds embroidered around the hem, climbing the fabric and jostling for space in a profusion of joy.

“Mama’s apron. I remember…”

And Trent was out the car and Abby was in his arms. His big sister, grown to be a woman. There were introductions, but Izzy felt a bit like an intruder, not sure what to say or do except to allow them space.

It all felt like an unreal dream. Abby was talking, babbling, so much to tell! He was silent, nodding, eyes full of emotion that threatened to spill.

“Papa was a war hero! Did you know? Our mama is buried over - oh I will take you there. She died just before you turned one. Izzy, here are some photographs of them, and Trent as a little bubba… Do you like roast chicken? I have cake for you, and lemonade and tea - or water? What do you like? I just didn't know, there’s so much to learn about you…. I wore mama’s apron, Trent loved this when he was a bubba, I wondered if he would remember it…”

A baby cried and Abby darted away to collect her daughter and brought her to introduce them.

“And this is our little Mari who is 6 weeks old…”. Marigold. Their mama’s name. Trent took her tenderly, and the emotion broke.

He held his tiny niece up to his chin, safe on his chest and bounced her gently as great sobs overtook him. He had been so strong and controlled, and Izzy felt tears slide down her cheeks as she felt him give way to a dam of emotion. His life should have been so full of love, and yet he had not known - he had lived in a hollow place for so long, and now all of this was too much to bear.

Things had been different for Abby, she told them over dinner. Abby was the fortunate one - adopted soon after their dad had died in the war, and her adoptive family welcomed her grandparents into their lives, who were too old to be their grandchildren's guardians. And being older than Trent, she remembered so much more of their early childhood.

Trent was having trouble letting his niece go. He held her as he ate, but reluctantly handed Mari back to her mama for feeding. While Abby fed, changed and soothed the baby, Izzy took Trent’s hand.

“You ok, my Heart?”

He nodded.

“I didn't know you loved babies so much!” she joked.

“You know, neither did I,” he laughed. “I have NEVER held a baby before. I mean never.”

They were laughing when Abby returned with a box - Mari was napping, and Abby had some things of Trent’s to give him. A box of his favourite toys and clothes, books and nicknacks when he was one year old. Things that Grandpa had kept.

The evening drew in as they talked, so much to be shared! Oftentimes, Izzy asked them questions to begin to piece together the tapestries of each of their lives, because the enormity of the unknowing seemed sometimes impossible for the siblings to breach. Abby’s husband came home, and Mari awoke, and the night was spent with laughter and tears, and the meeting of hearts who knew each other…. but yet did not.

When Izzy and Trent crawled into Abby’s guest room bed that night, Izzy took his hand and guided his strong calloused palm to rest upon her belly.

“We have a bubba too, Trent.”

His eyes grew wide. Then he threw his arms around her, and held her tightly and kissed her fiercely.

She knew that he could not speak, and he did not need to, because his heart was right there in his eyes.