Later that night my sisters went to bed and it was just my parents and me.

“You can’t imagine what it’s like, T.J.,” my mom said. “To think your son is dead and then he calls you on the phone. If that’s not a miracle I don’t know what is.”

“Me, neither,” I agreed. “Anna dreamed about the day we’d get to make those calls. She couldn’t wait for everyone to find out we were alive.”

Silence filled the room for the first time since we’d started talking.

My mom cleared her throat. “What kind of relationship did you and Anna have?” she asked.

“Exactly the kind you think we did.”

“How old were you?”

“Almost nineteen,” I said. “And Mom?”

“Yes?”

“It was definitely my idea.”

Chapter 45 – Anna

We stopped at the restroom because I desperately needed to blow my nose and wipe my eyes. Sarah handed me some Kleenex.

“I should have known something was wrong when their phone number didn’t work. You said they sold the house.”

“I said the house was sold. David and I put it on the market as soon as their estate cleared probate.”

I leaned forward, bracing myself on the bathroom counter. “What happened to them?”

“Dad had another heart attack.”

“When?”

She hesitated. “Two weeks after your plane went down.”

I started crying again. “What about Mom?”

“Ovarian cancer. She died a year ago.”

David yelled into the bathroom. Sarah popped her head out for a second then came back in and said, “The reporters are headed this way. Let’s get out of here, unless you want to talk to them.”

I shook my head. Sarah had brought me a coat and fleece-lined boots. I slipped them on and we walked to the parking garage, the media trailing not far behind. I breathed in the smell of snow and exhaust.

“Where are the kids?” I asked when we arrived at Sarah and David’s apartment. I really wanted to hold Joe and Chloe in my arms.

“We took them to David’s parents. I’ll pick them up tomorrow. They’re so excited to see you.”

“What do you want to eat?” David asked.

My stomach churned. I had looked forward to ordering a feast but now I didn’t think I could eat.

David must have sensed it because he said, “How about if I run out for some bagels and you can eat when you’re ready?”

“That sounds great, David. Thanks.”

I took off my coat and boots.

“Your clothes are all here,” Sarah said. “I put them in the spare bedroom closet after John brought them over. Your jewelry and shoes and some other things are in there, too. I’ve never been able to get rid of any of it.”

I followed Sarah down the hall to the spare bedroom. She opened the closet and I stared at my clothes. Most of them were on hangers and the rest were stacked neatly on the top shelf. A light blue cashmere sweater caught my eye, and I reached out and touched the sleeve, amazed at how soft it felt under my fingers.

“Do you want to take a shower first?” Sarah asked.

“Yes,” I said, grabbing a pair of gray yoga pants and a long-sleeved white T-shirt. I pulled the blue sweater off the shelf, too. A dresser in the corner held my socks, bras, and underwear. I headed into the bathroom and stood under the shower for a long time.

My clothes swam on me, but they were familiar and warm.

“Stefani’s on her way over,” Sarah said, handing me a mug of coffee once I settled myself on the couch in the living room.

I smiled at the mention of my best friend.

“I can’t wait to see her.” I took a sip of my coffee. Sarah had spiked it. “Bailey’s Irish Cream?”

“I thought you could use a drink.”

“Okay, but only one. I’m a bit of a lightweight these days.” I held the warm mug in my hands. “How did Mom get along after Dad died?” I asked.

“Okay. She refused to sell the house so David took over the yard work and we hired someone to shovel the driveway and sidewalks when it snowed. We made sure she wasn’t lonely.”

“How bad was the cancer?”

“It wasn’t good. She fought hard, though, all the way to the end.”

“Did she go to hospice?”

“No. She died at home the way she wanted it.”

We finished our coffee. David came home with the bagels and Sarah urged me to eat.

“You’re so thin,” she said, spreading cream cheese on a bagel and handing it to me.

We returned to the couch after finishing our meal. Sarah turned the stereo on and found a classic rock station. She handed me a fresh cup of coffee, no Bailey’s this time. David joined us and he and Sarah asked me about the island.

I told them everything. Sarah cried when I told her and David how T.J. and I almost died of dehydration. Hearing that two planes had flown overhead really tore her apart. They were shocked when I told them about the shark and Bones and the tsunami.

“What a horrifying ordeal,” Sarah said.

“Well, we adapted. It was bad near the end, though. I’m not sure how much longer we would have lasted.”

Sarah handed me an afghan and I tucked my legs under it.

“I was surprised to see John at the airport,” I said.

“I called him. He was devastated when your plane went down and he was really happy when I told him you were alive.”

“I thought he would have moved on. Maybe married someone by now.”

“No. He was dating someone for quite a while, but as far as I know he’s still single.”

“Oh.”

“What did you decide about him?”

“He’s not the one I’m supposed to be with, Sarah. I don’t know what would have happened if my plane hadn’t gone down, but I had plenty of time to think about what I wanted.” I shook my head. “It wasn’t him.”

“You and T.J. are together, aren’t you?” Sarah asked.

“Yes. Are you surprised?”

“Under the circumstances? No. How old is he?”

“Twenty.”

“How old was he when it started?”

“Almost nineteen.”

“Do you love him?”

“Yes.”

“I saw the way he looked at you. How he comforted you at the airport. He loves you, too.” Sarah said.

I put my empty mug on the coffee table and nodded my head. “Yes. He does.”

The doorbell rang, and Sarah walked across the room. I followed and held my breath as she looked through the peephole and opened the door. Stefani stood there, tears streaming down her face. I pulled her into my arms, no words capable of expressing how it felt to see her again.

“Oh, Anna,” she said, sobbing, squeezing me with the strength of her embrace. “You came home.”

Chapter 46 – T.J.

Later that night I went into my room, stretched out on my bed, and called Anna. “Hey,” I said when she answered. “How are you doing?”

“I’m worn out. Too much to process.”

“I wish I could help.”

“It’s just going to take time,” she said. “I’ll be okay.”

“I’m lying on my old bed. My mom didn’t get rid of anything.”

“Neither did Sarah. I thought people were supposed to give your stuff away when you died.”

“My mom knows about us.”

“Oh, God. What did she say?”

“She asked me how old I was when it started. That’s it.”

“She might revisit that later.”

“Maybe. So was that John at the airport?”

“Yes.”

“What did you say to him?”

“Nothing. He cut me off. I’m supposed to call him.”

“Are you going to?”

“Eventually. I can’t deal with it right now. A few days ago we were walking on the beach. Now we’re home. It’s surreal.”

“I know.”

“Are you tired?” she asked.

“Exhausted.”

“Get some sleep.”

“I love you, Anna.”

“I love you, too.”