Shelter Me(90)

Rest in peace, Aunt Judy, I think to myself. One of your wishes came true.

Just look the three of us, or four of us, I should say. I place my hands on top of Luke’s and smile. We are happy. Now let’s work on making Adam happy, too.





EPILOGUE: LUKE



I have so many special days in my life. The first being the very first time I laid my eyes on my wife. That’s right. I said, MY WIFE. It’s been almost three years now and there isn’t a day that doesn’t go by that I don’t tell Shayne how much I love her.

Lucy is almost ten now and she still loves to swim. We have her in the local swim club and I may be biased, but my little girl kicks some serious ass out there in that pool. She is such a strong girl; so much like her mom, and she never ceases to amaze me.

The whole gang is here today to watch my daughter swim in the club’s finals. I look around and listen to everyone in their own conversations while we wait for Lucy’s event to start, and my eyes lock with the woman sitting next to me.

“You’re stunning,” I mouth to her.

She observes the look on my face for a few moments and then we both look down at our son, who sits on her lap.

“Lucy!” he yells as he finally spots his big sister getting ready to take her place on her starting block. He turns his head and reaches out for me to take him. I place him on my lap and he leans himself back as we all watch Lucy dive into the pool.

Everyone stands up as my little girl immediately takes the lead in the freestyle race.

“Luke, she’s winning! Oh my God! Go Lucy!” Shayne hollers.

Lucy’s limbs churn the water as she pushes herself faster and harder. I can almost feel myself surging forward with her as her hand reaches out and touches the pool wall.

“The winner of the fifty yard freestyle race is…Lucy Schavone!” the announcer roars.

And in that moment, hearing her name, I have no words for the pride and love that swells in my chest. Everything I have ever wanted will always be within reach for me.





The Shelter Me series continues with Rescue Me

Erin and Adam’s story

Coming early winter of 2014





THE END