Chapter 20 - THE SANDWICH
Six months later, Thomas stood beneath the same pharmacy awning beside Emily while Julia bought coffee inside.
And the old hospital bracelet still hung around his neck.
Julia visited Daniel’s grave with both children.
Thomas stood there a long time.
“Did he love me?”
Julia handed him the red folder Daniel had made.
“He spent the last years of his life trying to bring you home.”
Thomas cried quietly.
Then he placed one of Daniel’s notes beneath the flowers.
I found him.
On the way home, Emily saw a boy sitting near the bus stop.
Older than her.
Cold.
Watching people pass.
She opened her lunch bag.
Thomas looked at her.
“You’re going to give him your sandwich, aren’t you?”
Emily shrugged.
“He looks hungry.”
Thomas smiled.
“Yeah.”
They walked over together.
Emily held out the sandwich.
“You can have mine.”
The boy looked suspicious.
Thomas understood that look.
The boy took the sandwich.
“Thanks.”
Emily smiled.
“You’re welcome.”
Julia watched through the coffee shop window.
But Thomas came home.
Emily got her brother.
Daniel’s truth survived.
Thomas walked back to Julia and slipped his hand into hers.
“You okay, Mom?”
Julia looked at him.
Blue eyes.
Tiny scar beneath his chin.
Her son.
“I am now.”
Emily grabbed Julia’s other hand.
“Can we get fries?”
Thomas laughed.
Julia laughed too.
“Yes.”
May you like
They walked home together through the rain.
And this time, nobody was missing.
