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my mother’s parents was the catalyst that changed our lives and set the path, though.  My mother inherited their money, property, everything. That new-found wealth attracted the interest of a small-time Hollywood producer, Garrick Chamberlain.
    I felt a stab of pain right in the gut and tried not to bring up the wretched past again.  I told myself not to give into weakness, and not to allow the mistakes I’d made rule me.  You’re stronger than that, Gabrielle.  You make your choices and you control your own future now.
    Easier said than done.
    I sighed instead and reached for the card propped on my nightstand.  I’d received it three years ago, only a week before she passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.  I ran my fingers over the front image of a beach at sunset on the beautiful handmade paper.  My mom had done sweet things like that out of the blue.  Sent me a card just to tell me she was thinking about me and how much she loved me.
    I brought it up to my nose to sniff the paper.  It still carried the scent of jasmine and sea grass.  My mom had always loved to buy unconventional things like scented greeting cards and artsy trinkets.  She’d sent me a wire bracelet with a painter’s palette and paintbrush charm along with the card, too.  The bracelet was lovely but, of course, it was her words that will always mean the most to me.  I reached for my glasses so I could read it again.
     
    Darling,
    I know you’re deep into your studies right now and just wanted you to receive some love and encouragement from me.  I miss you all the time but I know you are doing so many amazing things over in London and in school.  Your father does send updates when he can, so I know you’ve been through some hard exams recently.  If you get any time, I hope you’ll consider a visit.  I so want to get you in my arms again and I know Dani and Blake do, too.  I don’t think I would let go of you for at least a day.  Gaby, I know you feel guilt for things that happened in the past, but you shouldn’t, my darling.  You are a beautiful and remarkable young woman who did nothing more than countless other women have done since time immemorial.  You know I believe there isn’t anything that can’t be overcome with determination and maybe some time.  I would love to see you for any length of time you could spare.  Just say the word and I’ll see that tickets are arranged for you. If you can’t, I understand, and will simply continue to love you from home.  When I take a stroll on the beach at dusk I think of you and the wonderful talks we used to have, just the two of us discussing the mysteries of the universe.  I know I would miss you whether you were in London or Los Angeles.  Distance is just a number after all.  I’m so grateful you have your father there to look out for you.
    Love you always and forever,
    Mom
     
    For the millionth time, I tried not to read more into the letter than was there.  That she’d wanted me to come home for a visit was apparent.  But, was the reason more to do with her illness than just a longing to see her child?  This was my worry and I knew I’d never know the answer.  I’d called her and we’d talked for a long time after I’d received the card.  She’d assured me she was just feeling lonely for me when she wrote it, and to please not worry.
    That had been hard to do, though.
    Of course I ’d worried.  My mom had been sick with a chronic illness that had the potential to kill her, and married to a man who probably didn’t mind if it did.
    And then she did die.
    It happened very quickly and without warning, because her general prognosis had not been dire.  But the worst part was I’d not been able to get home in time to see her again.  This card in my hand right now held the last words I would ever “hear” from my mother.
    I pressed my eyes shut and thought of her.  Of how good she was, and how determined she was to let me know how much she loved me in