Chapter 36 - A Name RestoredThe court formally corrected Julianne Mercer's death record.
Her legal date of death changed from February 11, 2002, to November 3, 2004.
It seemed like paperwork.
To Adrian it meant everything.
Those missing two years finally existed.
Julianne had lived.
Held Emma.
Watched her walk.
Loved her.
Feared.
Hoped.
Fought.
She had not been a corpse beneath a headstone during those years.
She had been a mother.
Emma arranged for Julianne's remains to be moved from New Hampshire.
The new headstone read:
JULIANNE REED MERCER
1978–2004
MOTHER. WIFE. TRUTH-TELLER.
SHE WAS HERE.
Adrian asked Emma about the final line.
“Why that?”
“Because people spent twenty-four years trying to erase where she was and what she did.”
May you like
Emma touched the stone.
“I want nobody to erase her again.”
Related Stories
Chapter 37 - Leonard's Last VisitBefore beginning his sentence, Leonard requested one meeting with Emma.
Chapter 38 - Emma Quits the RestaurantEight months after the night Adrian saw the ring, Emma resigned from Beacon House.
Chapter 39 - The House by the WaterAdrian returned to the coastal inn where he had proposed to Julianne.
Chapter 40 - Miriam's GraveEmma and Adrian visited Miriam's grave together.
Chapter 41 - The Mercer Foundation Changes Its NameAdrian dissolved the old Mercer Family Foundation.
Chapter 42 - One Empty ChairAdrian hosted Thanksgiving.
