There is no need to express in words the total euphoria, not only I felt, but everyone involved experienced when a bedraggled waif stumbled on a pack of boy scouts searching for her grave. Tears come to my eyes these months later as I pen these words, sitting in the comfort of our Surry, New Hampshire home with Betsy by my side.
We have lived here for at least a part of all four seasons now and treasure our residence and life together, all three of us. Claire Elizabeth is one of us now and bears the surname Gustefson, not Leblanc as her birth certificate reads. Unfortunately, there is no one left alive to salute the LeBlanc and Betsy and I want our adopted daughter Claire to know she is fully a part of our lives. In a few months, she will be joined by a sibling.
Julie has mended well and accepting a raspy speech suffers no permanent damage. While she mourned Howie's passing she is a survivor and always has been. In spite of Howie's stepfather's sudden interest in his previously despised and now deceased son, Julie became heir to her fiancée's home and assets. Howie, out of character, had penned his intentions and with legal assistance referred by Merrill Cooms, she and Molly are financially set for life.
We check in with Mr. Cooms periodically and he has invited us to his fortressed estate for a personal visit. I doubt the trip will ever come about as each of us seems content with our hands-off, albeit revered, relationship.
Julie will attend college full time in the coming session. She has begun seeing someone; a young man who does grounds keeping work at the Country Club and is a half dozen years her junior. I don't know if the sun will shine on a long term relationship but Betsy is pleased to baby sit Molly while the romance dance is orchestrated. He's a nice young man and I feel would make a far less labor intensive mate than Howie would have proved to be.
Only time will tell. It is not our business to judge and we've removed ourselves from the chore of managing the lives of others outside our household.
I find it interesting to observe Molly. Her actions toward Julie, her mother and to Betsy with whom she shares a special relationship are markedly different. Betsy and Molly shared and suffered nearly five incredibly stressful days, most in total darkness. Each survived on the other's strength and love forging a bond that is truly unique.
Molly surely loves her mother but the relationship between mother and daughter is reversed. Julie has greater needs which Molly nurtures while Molly's needs are supported by my wife.