Chapter 27
San Francisco, CA - 2022
Halona walked to the freezer first, grabbing a pint of Häagen-Dazs butter pecan. With the ice cream in hand, she sank into the couch, mindlessly scrolling through her phone as she spooned the cold dessert into her mouth. The latest headlines flashed across the screen, but she barely registered them, her thoughts drifting to the family she had left behind.
Her hand instinctively rested on her growing belly, and she felt a pang of sorrow mixed with longing. She missed Buck and the kids more than she could put into words. How was she supposed to raise their child on her own, to make sure their little girl knew where she came from and how much her father would have loved her?
Her mind drifted back to a cherished memory, it had been Buck's birthday in Shadow Valley, and she'd wanted to make it special. She had discovered early on that Buck had a soft spot for ice cream, so months before the day, she'd secretly ordered a hand-cranked ice cream maker, eager to surprise him.
The day of the party Halona, Isaac, and Megan had taken turns cranking the bucket, their laughter echoing through the kitchen as they worked together to create the frozen treat. She could still hear their voices, the way Megan had squealed with delight when the ice cream began to thicken, and how Isaac had tried to sneak a taste before it was ready.
Once the ice cream was safely chilling in the icebox, Halona had set about preparing a feast. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, biscuits - everything Buck loved. The meal had been a labor of love, but it was worth every minute when she saw the look of pure joy on Buck's face as he took his first bite of the homemade ice cream. His eyes had lit up, the corners of his lips turning up in that familiar, crooked grin.
As they had sat around the table Halona had felt a deep sense of contentment wash over her. This was her family now, these people she had grown to cherish more than she ever thought possible. She knew then that every time she tasted ice cream, she would be transported back to that moment, to that precious memory etched in her heart.
A shuddering breath escaped her as she wiped away her tears, a sentimental smile playing on her lips. She knew she would never again enjoy the simple pleasure of ice cream without remembering the hard work, the laughter, and the tender moments that had gone into its creation.
Leaning back on the couch, Halona let her hands rest on her belly, feeling the faint flutter of life within. The future was uncertain, but she knew that the love and memories she shared with Buck would forever be a part of her. She prayed she would stay strong and raise their child in a way that would make him proud of her.