Chapter 12
Thomas never rushed me.
That mattered more than flowers.
More than money.
More than apologies.
He asked before calling.
Asked before visiting.
Asked before introducing me to his family.
He told me about his life.
His wife had died years earlier.
He had no other children.
He owned a small chain of bakeries started by his mother.
The bakery in my mother’s photo had belonged to his family.
Grace worked there during college.
They fell in love over burnt croissants and night shifts.
He showed me pictures.
Mom laughing with flour on her cheek.
Mom pregnant, one hand over her belly.
Thomas kissing her forehead.
Me as a newborn in a yellow blanket.
I had never seen baby pictures of myself.
Caroline said they were lost.
They were not lost.
They were stolen from my life.
I took one home.
May you like
Placed it on my dresser.
Then cried so hard Priya slept on my floor that night.
