Reunion (2)

With a nod that seemed more for herself than for Anne, Sabrina turned and left without another word. The sound of the door closing echoed in the silent hallway, leaving Anne standing there, still clutching the paper but her mind in a haze. She did not understand what just happened.

Coco’s small hand tugged gently at her mother while breaking through the fog that had settled over Anne’s thoughts. “Mommy, I’m famished. Can you make me something to eat?” Her voice was so familiar and so full of life that it almost jolted Anne back to reality. However, she was still wondering if it was even reality?

Shaking off the shock, Anne allowed Coco to pull her inside. She moved on autopilot and her heart racing as her mind struggled to process what had just happened. How long had it been since she last held Coco in her arms? When was the last time her daughter’s laughter filled the house? It felt like an eternity, a lifetime of yearning and heartache compressed into those agonizing months of sep