Taylor Hanson watched silently as his mother wept. His father held her in his arms. “Why Adelaide? Why did it have to be Adelaide? She was my best friend, Walker! I knew we should have visited them sooner. We just kept putting it off and putting it off. Now it’s too late.”

“Shhh,” his father whispered. “It wasn’t your fault, you know that. It could have happened to anyone. We had no control over the situation and neither did anyone else, Diana. You can’t keep blaming yourself for not visiting. You had as much reason to believe something this tragic was going to happen as anyone did.”

Since he was getting nowhere in listening to the conversation, Taylor climbed the stairs to the second floor which was where his bedroom that he shared with his brothers was located. “Hey, guys. Do you know what’s wrong with Mom?” he asked his two brothers Zac and Isaac who were building a castle out of Legos on the floor.

“No. Why?” Isaac asked.

“Mom’s downstairs crying,” Taylor reported. “She looks really worked up about something. Her and Dad won’t come out and say what it is, though.”

Later that night, the family gathered in the dining room for supper. After everyone’s plates were full, Diana began to speak. “l;Kids,” she started, “something terrible has happened. One of my best friends, Adelaide Brocato...passed on the other day. It’s been requested by her husband that we attend the funeral, and I wish to go. I’d like for you to think of it as a vacation because you are all going. I don’t want to hear any complaining. What’s happened came as a suprise and it is very painful to me so I can only imagine how her husband and daughter are feeling right now. We will be spending two weeks there at the request of her husband, which means we will be spending Christmas and New Year’s there. I want you children to start packing as soon as possible. We’ll be leaving in two days.”

Each child nodded their heads wordlessly. Taylor was thinking, Two weeks in some strangers house! And we even have to spend Christmas there!

Two days later, he was thinking these same thoughts as they flew halfway across America to where the Brocatos lived in Illinois. He looked over at his mother next to him. She was holding a picture in her hands of what looked like three people. “Mom, is that your friend?” he asked, pointing to a woman with blond hair and blue eyes in the picture.

Diana nodded her head. “Yes,” she answered. “That’s Adelaide and her husband Michael and her daughter Liberty.”

“Liberty?” he repeated, not sure he’d heard correctly. “That’s her real name?”

“Yes, that’s her real name. Adelaide always was one for different names. I remember when she used to talk about growing up and naming her daughter after the month she was born in, no matter what it was.” Diana smiled wistfully. “It seems like only yesterday when she used to say that.”

“She’s pretty. How old is she?”

“Oh, Taylor, that’s the most wonderful thing about it. That’s what made Adelaide’s and my friendship so wonderful.”

Taylor looked confused. “What did?”

“We gave birth on the same day.”

“Libby, honey, we’re home!”

Libby stared at herself in the mirror and only saw her tear-streaked, swollen cheeks to stare back at her. I’m gonna make a great first impression, she thought bitterly. Oh, well. I don’t really care what they think anyway.

Taylor saw the girl come down the stairs in front of him. He saw his observation about Liberty had been correct. She was pretty, but looked as if she’d been crying. Her black hair fell to her shoulders without a hint of a wave but it was silky and shiny. Her eyes were large and emerald green.

“Libby,” Michael Brocato began. “This is Walker and Diana Hanson, your mother’s and my old friends from high school. And these are their children, Isaac, Taylor, Zac, Jessica, Avery, and Mackenzie.” Michael indicated each person as he spoke their name.

Libby nodded and shook each of their hands. Taylor’s hand tingled when he released her hand. Libby was oblivious to anything. She forced a smile onto her face, but her eyes remained sad and forlorn looking.

“There are a few rules we’d like to discuss with our children and you, if you don’t mind, Michael,” Walker said.

“Of course, that’s fine,” Michael answered, leading them into the den and motioning for them to sit down. Mackenzie crawled into Zac’s lap and stuck his thumb in his mouth.

“First there’s the case with Mackie,” Diana said. “Walker and I decided we’d be more comfortable if he didn’t go upstairs without supervision because he tends to fall sometimes so he will not be allowed up or on the stairs unless accompanied by Libby or my three eldest sons.”

“That’s all right,” Michael replied. “Anything else?”

“One more thing. This isn’t a rule, more like a request. Libby, would you mind showing the boys around the city one day? They still need to buy their Christmas gifts and we’ve never been here before.”

“Sure, that’s no problem,” Libby answered in a raspy voice.

“Libby, how’s your throat doing?” Michael asked. “Have you been drinking plenty of water like I told you to?”

“Yes, Father, I’ve been drinking water all day. It’s starting to feel better.”

“Good.” Michael turned to Walker and Diana. “Now,” he continued, “the sleeping arrangments. My bedroom is on the first floor, there’s two guest bedrooms on the second floor, but each only has one bed. I thought you two could take one, and the three younger ones can have the one adjoining it. The three older boys can sleep in Libby’s room. She has a couch in there that one of them can use, and the other two can use the cots we have.”

“Sounds great, Michael. Thank you very much for letting us stay here. You have no idea how much you’ve helped us,” Diana said, her eyes clouding over with tears that threatened to spill.

“It’s no problem, really,” Micheal assured her. “I know Addy would’ve hated it for you guys to stay in a hotel room.”

Libby stood and said, “Father, I’m going to bring the boys upstairs so they can unpack, okay?”

“Okay, thank you, Libby.” He kissed her cheek as the three boys got to their feet and collected their bags.

Libby led them up the stairs to the third floor where her large bedroom was located. Stepping in, Taylor was suprised. The room was very interesting looking. There was lots of open space in the middle, but it was cluttered with beanbag and inflatable chairs and a couch. In the corner was a large round bed covered with multicolored pillows. Next to it was a cherrywood desk with a computer on it. The walls were completely covered with pictures of some of her favorite bands, articles, lots of little phrases and poems that had obviously been printed off of the computer, and some hand-drawn pictures. The ceiling was decorated with glow-in-the-dark stars and painted dark blue so they showed up when the lights were on. Lamps were on every available space with red, black, blue, and purple bulbs in them. An entertainment center held her television, VCR, stereo, CD’s and movies. A small bookshelf stood next to that, each shelf filled to capacity with books. Last, but not least, was the walk-in closet and complete bathroom.

“I emptied the dresser and the left closet in the bathroom for you guys to put your clothes in. If you need any more room, there’s another empty closet in the hall. If you need me for anything, I’ll be downstairs in the den.”

The three boys nodded their heads. As soon as she left the room, they began pullling clothes from their suitcases. “I feel so bad for,” Taylor said to no one in particular. “Could you imagine Mom dying?”

“How’d her mom die anyway?” Zac asked.

“I asked Dad, and all he said was that it was some kind of accident. He said he didn’t want to go into details,” Isaac said. “I’m sure we’ll get the whole story sometime while we’re here.”

Libby stared blankly out the window of the limousine, not really seeing anything. Her small hand rested inside her father’s large one. Why aren’t I crying? she wondered to herself. The answer, she knew was simple. I have no more tears left.

They arrived at St. Joan of Arc Church where Adelaide’s funeral was being held. Her and her father stepped out of the limousine, entered the church, and walked up the aisle to the front of the church. There Libby saw her pale-faced mother lying in the coffin. Slowly, she leaned down and kissed Adelaide’s cheek. The skin felt cold and dry on Libby’s lips. At this, she found she had many more tears to shed.

Three hours later, the actual Mass began. Soon, it was time to give the eulogy. Libby forced her tears to stop flowing and walked up to the lectern. She gazed out at all the people who had gathered to tell her mother good-bye. Her grandparents were sobbing softly. Her aunts and cousins sobbing and holding each other. All of the men didn’t cry, except for one - her father.

“My mother, Adelaide Smith Brocato, was a wonderful mother, wife, and friend,” she began. Libby spotted the Hansons. Diana was sobbing uncontrollably while Walker tried to console her. Taylor gave Libby a weak smile for support. “She cared deeply about others and made sure her students got all of the love and attention they deserved. She always took good care of my father and I, making sure we came before anything else...” Libby finished her speech and returned to her seat. At Communion, they played the song Libby knew she would never forget - ‘On Eagle’s Wings.’

And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings
Bear you on the breath of Dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of his hand

When the Mass was over, the mourners got back in their cars and drove to the site of Adelaide’s grave. The priest said a few words before they placed Adelaide in the gap in the Earth that would be her eternal resting place. As they were lowering the coffin, the lid snapped open. Somehow Adelaide’s eyes had opened and they now stared accusingly at Libby. She wanted so badly to look away, but she couldn’t. Libby’s eyes were drawn to the sunken-in whites of Adelaide’s. Michael wrapped his arm comfortingly around his daughter.

The lid was closed and the coffin placed in the freshly dug hole. Libby knew she was supposed to be doing something, but her feet felt rooted to the ground. She couldn’t remember anything except her mother’s eyes - eyes that would haunt her dreams forever. Michael nudged her softly and it all came rushing back. “Go on,” he urged her softly.

She stepped forward and grabbed a handful of soil, then tossed it gently in the hole, then dropped a red rose in. Her father stepped beside her and did the same. “Good-bye, Mother. I love you, and I’m sorry for all the wrong things I’ve ever done. I just wish I could have told you while you were alive to hear it,” Libby whispered.

Everyone went back to the Brocato home to eat and reminisce about Adelaide Brocato. All of Adelaide’s side of the family had flown in from around the country for the funeral and were staying for Christmas. Most of Michael’s side was there also. Everyone gathered in the living and dining room. After circulating through both rooms and telling all of her family hello, and having everyone tell her how sorry they were, Libby went up to her room to think in peace and quiet. Libby adjusted her long black dress and removed her black shoes, so she could sit on the bed. She picked up a picture of her and her mother from the desk beside her bed. Her fingers lightly traced the swirled patterns on the cold metal frame. Adelaide, Michael, and Libby had had a wonderful relationship. Libby felt comfortable telling her parents anything, no matter how serious. They always listened to Libby’s problems without interrupting, and always had helpful advice to share with Libby. Even her mother’s job as the owner and manager of a dance studio and her father’s as a lawyer hadn’t gotten in the way of their close relationship. Why, Mother? Why did you-

Her thoughts were interrupted by a quiet voice. “Libby?”

She turned to the door to see Mackenzie’s blond head appear in the room. “Joshua Mackenzie Hanson,” she scolded gently, not really angry at all. “You know you’re not supposed to come upstairs alone.”

“He didn’t,” a second voice said. Taylor appeared behind his younger brother. “I’m sorry if we disturbed you, but Mackenzie saw you come up the stairs and was worried about you.”

“That’s sweet, Mackie.” Libby opened her arms and pulled the small child into her lap. “Come sit, Taylor,” she said, patting the bed next to her.

Mackenzie turned his head up and looked her in the face. “Libby,” he asked, “where’d your mommy go?” He stuck his thumb in his mouth and waited patiently for an answer.

“Mackenzie! You shouldn’t-” Taylor began.

“No, Taylor, it’s all right,” Libby interrupted. “He deserves to know what’s going on.” She turned her attention to back to Mackenzie who was still waiting. “My mommy is with Jesus now, Mackie. She’s all the way up-” Her voice broke. She stopped and took a deep breath. “-all the way up in Heaven.”

“Will you ever see her again?”

“No, baby. Not until I go up to Heaven too.” A few tears escaped and rolled down her cheeks.

“Don’t cry, Libby. Mackie’ll make you feel all better,” Mackenzie told her seriously. She gave a tiny smile as he wrapped his chubby arms around her neck in a hug.

“Thank you, Mackenzie,” she said, returning the hug.

“Mackenzie! Where are you, son?” Diana’s voice called from the hall.

“Mommy!” he squealed. He released his hold on Libby and ran from the room to Diana.

Libby wiped her face with a Kleenex. “Libby?” Taylor asked.

“Yeah, Taylor?”

“Um...this might not sound right or come out right or something, but I’m really, really sorry about what happened. I know it must be very hard to lose your mother.” He clenched his hands in his lap. “I’m not going to be like other people who say they know exactly how you feel, because I don’t. I just want you to know if you ever need someone to talk to about anything, I’m here. I know you probably aren’t ready to talk about it, but when you are, I’ll listen. I may not be able to stop your suffering and hurting, but it might make you feel better to talk about it.”

“Thank you, Taylor. You have no idea how much that means to me. I’ll keep that in mind. But...I-I just don’t think I’m ready to talk about it yet.” She hugged him, gratefully.

His stomach quivered as he hugged her back. She pulled away and stared into his deep eyes. “You have beautiful eyes, Taylor. The exact same color as Mother’s.”

He blushed.

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” she said. She picked up the picture of her and Adelaide and showed it to him. “See, they’re the same color.”

“You look like your dad. Didn’t he come here straight from Italy?”

“Yeah, that’s actually most of the reason my name’s so strange,” she answered.

“Really?”

“My mother was born in England and my father in Italy. My grandparents moved my mother and her three brothers and four sisters to America when she was nine. They flew to the United States and arrived in New York City. The first thing she saw was the Statue of Liberty, and she thought it was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. Now, my father had moved to the US when he was five. He and his family lived in Tulsa, which is where my mother moved. They went to the same high school as your parents. In fact, they met each other through your mother. When they married, they moved here. When I was born, Mother said she thought I was even more beautiful than the Statue of Liberty. So, she named me Liberty, after the Statue, Rosalia, after my father’s mother, Brocato.”

“That’s a beautiful name,” Taylor said.

“Thank you,” she said. She stood up and touched his hand. “I should get back downstairs.” She slipped her feet into her shoes and exited the room.

Taylor was streched out on the couch in Libby’s room. He stared at the ceiling, and tried in vain to fall asleep.

But, sleep was impossible. Even though she was trying to be quiet, he could hear every one of Libby’s choked, muffled sobs - each one tearing at his heart - ripping through his body like gunshots. He hated to see her in so much pain. If only there was something I could do

“I wanna put the star on!”

“No, I do!”

“Jessica Grace and Avery Laurel Hanson. I cannot believe you are even wasting your breath over this. This is the Brocato’s home and the Brocato’s tree. Let Libby put it on.”

“Haha, busted,” Zac laughed. He grinned at Libby as Avery handed her the star.

“Dad, Zac won’t leave me alone,” Avery complained.

“Zac...” Walker threw his hands up. “I give up! Diana, I’m having a nervous breakdown!” he said loudly, unable to keep the grin from his face.

Libby laughed...the first time since she had that day. Her throat felt 100% better. Everyone looked at her in suprise. Lately she had been quiet and withdrawn. Pretending not to notice, she stood on a stool and placed the star on top of the tree.

Everyone else went back to what they had been doing. The Hansons and Brocatos had spent the entire day decorating the house with Christmas decorations. They were a little late. Christmas Eve was the next day. Adelaide Brocato’s death had come as such a suprise that Libby and her father had practically forgotten about Christmas altogether.

A fire was burning in the fireplace. The house was filled with sounds of chatter and laughter. It felt good to Libby to be in such a happy, carefree atmosphere. Libby jumped off the stool and grabbed a handful of red and green M&M’s from the crystal bowl her mother had bought in Ireland. She practiced throwing them up in the air and catching them in her mouth.

She wandered aimlessly from the room, no destination in mind. No one noticed her go except Taylor. “Tay, honey, will you go get the bowl of popcorn out of the kitchen so we can start stringing it?” Diana asked. She saw her son with a spaced out look on his face. “Tay?”

“What? Oh, yeah, sure, Mom.” He smiled at his mother. She smiled back shaking her head. She knew her son well and could see he had feelings for Libby. He walked away toward the kitchen. She remembered when he’d been only around seven or eight years old. It was during the time they had lived in Venezuela. She vividly remembered her stubborn son refusing to take off his baseball cap. My little boy is growing up, she thought wistfully.

Libby found herself in the den. It was one of the few empty rooms in the house. She stared thoughtfully at the piano. Deciding she must face facts, she settled herself on the piano bench.She placed her fingers lightly on the keys. She played with such intensity, she suprised herself. Libby allowed herself to become lost in the music.

Taylor heard piano music floating down the hall. He followed the sound to the den. He crept up silently behind Libby. He became captivated as he watched her slim fingers float and dance effortlessly over the black and white keys. Her eyes were closed and she was kind of leaning over. Before he could lose his nerve, Taylor pulled her hair back from her face. Abruptly, she stopped playing and spun around.

“Damn, Taylor, you scared the hell out of me!” she said, looking relieved that it was only him.

He blushed. “Sorry...where’d you learn how to play like that?”

“My mother,” she said quietly.

“You’re good,” he commented. “May I?”

“Sure.” Libby stood from the piano bench and allowed Taylor to sit.

Taylor took the seat and played through a song he’d written with Isaac and Zac. “Who taught you that? I’ve never heard it before.”

“I took classical piano lessons for three years, and Ike, Zac and I write songs. That’s one of the ones we wrote. It’s called ‘Two Tears’. It has words, though. It’s not a musical.”

“That was very pretty,” she commented, resting her small hand on his shoulder. “Maybe you could sing me the words sometime.”

“Yeah, I’d like that.”

Libby smiled and left the room without another word. He caught tears in her eyes as she turned. What do I do to always make her cry? Taylor wondered as he watched her go. Did I say something wrong?

Later that night, long after the three youngest children had gone to bed, Isaac, Taylor, Libby, and Zac were sitting in the den talking about the plans for the next day. Christmas Eve wasn’t going to be too eventful, but on Christmas day, all of Libby’s aunts, uncles, and cousins, who were still in town for the funeral, were coming over for dinner, both Adelaide’s and Michael’s side. Altogether, nine uncles, eight aunts, and 35 cousins.

Taylor wasn’t paying the slightest bit of attention to the conversation going on around him. All he could think about was how his heart was about to pound right out of his chest at the fact that seated next to him was the girl he thought he may be in love with. He tried with all his might to not make it obvious that he was staring at her. Instead, he glanced at her for about the millionth time out the corner of his left eye.

“Guys, I’m gonna go take a shower,” Libby said, getting to her feet.

When she emerged into her room with a cloud of steam dressed in her pajamas, Taylor was on the floor of her room alone. “Where’s Zac and Ike?” she asked.

’Watching TV downstairs.”

“Why didn’t they come watch in here?”

Because I told them not to. “Because they’re weird.”

Libby smiled tightly. Just as he’d been captivated while watching her play the piano, he watched in amazement as she pulled the towel from her hair and let her hair tumble around her shoulders. After it was brushed and knot-free, she climbed into bed and stared at the ceiling. “Good night, Taylor. Sweet dreams.” Libby rolled over and closed her eyes. Taylor turned the light out and stretched out on his sofa/bed. He made sure to pray for Libby before he fell asleep.