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The sun had sunk below the horizon as Reba's car bounced up a gravel road. Ahead of them was a low-lying hill with a single tree on its crest. Reba brought the car to a halt when they were close enough to see a figure moving around on top of the hill. Switching off the lights and the car, Reba watched the figure huddled near the base of the tree before moving away for a moment.
"Well, it sure does move like Cole," she said as they watched. A single light flickered up in the figure's hands as it moved closer to the tree. Kyra opened her door and climbed out of the car. As she climbed the slope of the hill, she watched as the figure placed the flickering light at the base of the tree. Only when she got closer could she make out the features of her brother.
Cole had placed a single candle near hand carved words in the wood of the tree. She watched as he pulled a small necklace with the Star of David on it out of his pocket and placed it next to the writing on the trunk. As Cole got down on one knee, she was allowed a glimpse of the writing.
Courtney Jacobs. 1988-2001. My friend and love during the hard times. Kyra's breath caught in her throat as she realized that the tree was a headstone.
"Well Kyra, you got to meet one of the last connections I have to my old life," said Cole without turning around.
"I was expecting several things out here, but not this," she said as she placed her hand on his shoulder.
"She wanted to come with me when I left the orphanage. Maybe if I had refused she could have gotten treatment," he said, his voice filled with guilt.
"Sick, she got sick about a year after we left. But she hid it from me, knew what I would I do if I found out. I brought her here when she couldn't stand on her own two feet anymore, and I buried her here when she passed," Cole continued, his voice full of sorrow. Kyra picked him up and embraced him in a hug as tight as she could manage.
"Its not your fault," she said, doing her best to ease her brother's suffering. The two ignored both their parents as they climbed the hill behind them.
"You don't need to suffer through this alone," said Kyra as she squeezed her brother. She felt sadness for her twin. To Reba, the two looked like a coin: two sides of the same thing. Cole finally broke the hug and looked at his father and mother.
"Well, here we are," he said. Reba embraced him in a hug.
"We thought you we're leaving for good," she said. Cole laughed.
"Why would I do that, your cooking is to good," he replied. Brock joined in on the hug, but backed out when Reba elbowed him in the gut.
"You are grounded young man, I hope you learn your lesson," said Brock. The anger that flashed through Cole's eyes was enough to burn an entire continent to the ground.
"Brock. He lives with me and I'll decide what, if any, his punishment will be," said Reba. Brock looked slightly embarrassed before he apologized to both Cole and Reba. Cole walked back to the tree and knelt in front of the carved name.
"I think we should give him a minute," said Kyra as she started back down the hill. Reba and Brock turned and followed. With a soft voice, Cole sang in Hebrew, honoring his buried friend. Wiping his eyes, Cole stood and walked down the hill.
"You all right?" asked Reba as he approached the car. Cole stopped and looked back up the hill at the flickering light of the candle.
"I am now," he said. They all climbed into the car and drove away back to Houston. The car ride back was a long and silent, but finally they pulled into the driveway. Barbra Jean came running out of the house, rushing Cole to give him a hug. But instead of running or dodging, he merely stood and allowed himself to be smothered by the hug.