Reunion

Paige

I clutched Tom’s hand like a lifeline as we walked up the path to the front door. Somehow, I hadn’t expected McKenna’s parents’ place to be so exactly like she described it. Just standing in the yard reminded me of lying on those awful bunkbeds, listening to her whisper details in the dark.

Before we even reached the door, someone flung it open. A plump, older version of McKenna, with her blonde hair up in a wild ponytail, leapt down the stairs, and threw her arms around me. I stumbled back a step, choking on the feeling of unexpected contact.

“Thank you,” the woman whispered before letting me go and wrapping Tom in the same overenthusiastic hug.

I blinked.

An older man stepped out onto the lawn. “Apologies for my Gail. She’s been a bit expressive since…” He swallowed like he couldn’t quite say it yet, and I saw tears glimmer in his eyes. “Well, I’d like to thank you as well.”

Tom extricated himself from Gail and shook the man’s hand. “Tommaso Conti. I’m just glad I could help.”