A thousand Boy Kisses

Opening the jar, I placed the now-complete heart inside and sealed it shut.
Then…
I didn’t know what to do. I searched all around me for something to help, but
there was nothing. I placed the jar beside me and my arms around my legs, and
rocked back and forth.

---

A creak on the step rang out. When I looked up, my pappa was standing there. I
met his eyes. This was all he needed to see that Poppy had gone. My pappa’s
eyes immediately filled with water.
I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore, so I released them, full force. I felt
arms wrap around me. I tensed, then looked up to see my pappa holding me in
his arms.
But this time I needed it.
I needed him.
Giving up the final traces of anger I still harbored, I fell into my pappa’s arms
and set free all of my pent-up emotions. And my pappa let me. He stayed with
me on that porch as day gave way to night. He held me without uttering a single
word.
It was the fourth and final moment that defined my life—losing my girl. And,
knowing it, my pappa simply held me.
I was sure that if I’d listened closely to the howling wind rushing by, I would
have heard Poppy’s lips break into a wide smile as she danced her way home.
* * *
Poppy was laid to rest a week later. The service was just as beautiful as she
deserved. The church was small, the perfect send-off for a girl that loved her
family and friends with all her heart.
After the service, I decided against the wake at Poppy’s parents’ house and
came back to my room. Less than two minutes later, a knock sounded on my
door and my mamma and pappa walked in.
In my pappa’s hand was a box. I frowned when he laid it on my bed.
“What’s this?” I asked, confused.
My pappa sat down beside me and put his hand on my shoulder. “She asked us
to give this to you after her funeral, son. She prepared it quite a while before she
passed.”

---

My heart thundered in my chest. My pappa tapped the sealed box. “There’s a
letter in there I was told to tell you to read first. Then a few boxes. They’re
numbered in the order you have to open them.”
My pappa got to his feet. As he went to leave, I gripped onto his hand. “Thank
you,” I said hoarsely. Pappa leaned forward and kissed my head.
“Love you, son,” he said softly.
“Love you too,” I replied, and meant every word. Things this week had been
easier between us. If Poppy’s short life had taught me anything, it was that I had
to learn to forgive. I had to love and I had to live. I’d blamed my pappa for so
much for so long. In the end my anger caused only pain.
Moonbeam hearts and sunshine smiles.
My mamma kissed me on my cheek. “We’ll be outside if you need us, okay?”
She was worried about me. But there was also a part of her that had relaxed. I
knew it was the bridge I’d built with my pappa. I knew it was the release of all
my harbored anger.
I nodded and waited until they had gone. It took fifteen minutes until I could
bring myself to open the box. Immediately, I saw the letter on top.
It took me ten minutes more to break its seal:
Rune,

Let me start by saying how much I love you. I know you knew that; I don’t think
there is a person on the planet that didn’t see just how perfect we were for each
other.
However, if you’re reading this letter, it means I am home. Even as I write this,
know that I’m not scared.
I guess the last week has been bad for you. I imagine it has been an effort to
even take a breath, to get out of bed each day—I know, because that’s how I