I didn’t sleep. I wrote and deleted messages a dozen times before finally sending them:
« Hello, you drew me during your livestream. I think we might know each other. Can we meet? »
I couldn’t say « I am your mother. » What if I was wrong?
« What if it’s just someone who looks like her, Megan? What if— » said Mike.
« It doesn’t matter. I need to know, » I said.
The answer came as the first light slipped through our curtains.
« Really? Of course. Here’s the address. »
He lived over 2,000 kilometers away. I booked flights before my courage waned.
« I think we might know each other. Can we meet? »
Mike helped me pack my suitcases. He looked kind and sad at the same time. He folded Bill’s dinosaur shirt — soft and faded now — and slipped it into my bag.
« Are you sure you’re ready, Meg? »
« No. But I’ve waited too long to turn back now. »
***
On the plane, Mike squeezed my hand, his thumb tracing circles. « If it isn’t him… »
« So we go back home, and I continue searching. »
He nodded.
« I’ve waited too long to turn back now. »
***
We landed in a foreign city, the spring wind cold and biting. Mike rented a car, his fingers drumming on the steering wheel the whole way.
« We should call the police, you know. Just in case. »
« If I’m wrong, I’ll live with that, » I said. « But if I’m right… I’m not going to risk losing him again because I waited for someone else to tell me what to do. »
As we approached the address, my stomach churned. The houses were neat and ordinary; the lawns freshly mowed, the flags hung proudly.
Mike parked in front of a faded blue door.
« We should call the police. »
« I’ll wait here if you want, » offered Mike, his voice trembling.
I shook my head. « No. I want you to be with me. »
We walked together to the door. I knocked, three short knocks. Just like Bill used to do when he forgot his keys.
The door opened.
» I can help you ? »
Up close, the resemblance was even more striking. I wanted to hug him.
« No. I want you to be with me. »
« I… I saw your drawing. The woman in your dreams. »
He blinked uncertainly. « You look like him. »
« It’s because I think I’m your — »
Before I could finish, footsteps echoed behind him.
A woman’s voice called out. « Jamie, is anyone at the door? »
She appeared next to him, her hair pulled back. I recognized her immediately.
Before I could finish, footsteps echoed behind him.
