I would never have found Caleb.
I would never have seen the workshop.
And I would never have understood the lesson Julian had spent his entire life learning.
Love does not become meaningless because the person you love is gone.
Sometimes love becomes a responsibility.
A responsibility to carry something beautiful forward.
Chapter 15 — Seven Days
A year after Julian died, Caleb and I held a small ceremony at Lily’s House.
There were children everywhere.
They were laughing.
Running between tables.
Trying on clothes Julian had made years earlier.
Some were wearing new dresses.
Some were wearing little suits.
Some were simply there because they needed somewhere safe to be.
I stood beside the glass case containing Lily’s red dress.
Caleb came up beside me.
“You know,” he said, “Dad would have loved this.”
I smiled.
“He would have.”
Caleb looked at the dress.
“I wish he could see it.”
“So do I.”
