Chapter 14 - The Song on the Cliff
A month later, on a warm spring afternoon, Lorenzo, Mia, and I drove out to a quiet cliff overlooking the ocean near Montauk.
It was the spot where Lorenzo’s sister, Julianna, had loved to sit when she was a young girl.
A beautiful granite memorial bench had been installed on the grassy cliff edge, carved with the words: Julianna Moretti — Beloved Sister, Mother, and Light.
Lorenzo sat on the bench, holding Mia on his lap, while I sat beside them, leaning my head against his shoulder.
The wind blew gently off the water, bringing the scent of salt and blooming wild roses.
Mia reached into her small coat pocket and pulled out the silver anchor pendant that had belonged to Julianna—the pendant I had kept for four long years.
"For Mommy Julianna?" Mia asked softly, looking up at Lorenzo.
Lorenzo touched the silver metal gently, a peaceful smile on his face. "Yes, sweetie. For your other mommy. She's watching us from heaven."
Mia leaned forward, placing the silver pendant carefully into a small carved hollow on the granite bench.
Then, without being asked, my three-year-old daughter stood up on the grass, opened her small arms to the blue sky, and began to sing.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine... You make me happy when skies are gray..."
May you like
Her sweet, childish voice floated out over the roaring ocean waves, carrying through the bright spring air, reaching toward the clouds.
Lorenzo wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close against his side. I laid my hand over his, watching our daughter sing under the open sky.
