Lost and Found

Sam took a shaky breath, wiping away her tears. Her fingers twisted the floral handkerchief until the fabric strained.

How am I supposed to live without you?

You said you’d never leave me.

You promised.

I think I’ll join you tonight.

Her gaze drifted to the window, to the storm building on the horizon, slow and heavy, inevitable.

For a moment, she just watched it.

She sighed and shook her head.

“Of course,” she whispered. “That’s how this ends.”

A blonde-haired girl sat pressed gently against her, as if she’d always been there.

“Hi.”

Sam blinked, her breath catching. “Um… ah… hi?”

The girl leaned her head against Sam’s shoulder. “I like the rain.”

Sam hesitated. “Ah… yeah… okay.”

“Do you like the rain?” the girl asked.

“Yeah… uh… I, where’s your mother? Who are you?”

“Mommy’s somewhere. Just not here.” She looked up at Sam. “Noe. But everyone calls me Mia.”

Mia smiled. “Do you know what I like most about the rain? The puddles. I like playing in them. Did you ever play in puddles?”

Sam swallowed. “Don’t you think your mom’s going to be worried about you?”

“No.” A mischievous smile spread across Mia’s face. “I want you to help me find her.”

“Um… no. I don’t think I’d be much help. I just want to sit here. Sorry.”

Mia lifted her head and met Sam’s eyes.

“No, you don’t.”

She held out her hand. “Come.”

Before she could think, Sam took it.

A shudder tore through her.Grief? Anger? Love? It was sharp and sudden. Memory of laughter, rain, hands splashing through puddles, and pain.

Then it was gone.

Sam staggered slightly.

“No need to worry,” Mia said softly. “We’re just going to look for Mommy.”

Sam wiped at her tears.

What the fuck was that?

Why does this feel… familiar?

They stepped outside into a light breeze, cool and inviting

Mia took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “I just love the smell of rain.”

“Don’t you, Liz?”

Sam’s shoulders eased as she looked up at the sky, closed her eyes, and drew in a long, steady breath.

Oh, Caroline… you know I do.

“Come.”

The word snapped her out of it. She blinked. “Right… yeah.”

Mia pulled her along as a cool mist rolled in, soft against her skin.

“Mia, the rain’s coming. We should find cover.”

“It’s only water.”

Sam smiled.

God, you sound just like her.

Always moving forward. No matter what’s in front of you.

Mia looked back and smiled as the rain fell. “Yay!” She let go of Sam’s hand and ran toward the puddles already forming, splashing into them with reckless delight.

Sam ducked under an awning. “Mia, come on, get out of the rain!”

Mia only laughed, then ran back and grabbed both of Sam’s hands, pulling her out into it.

Sam resisted…

Until the first drops hit her face.

She stilled.

Rain ran down her cheeks, cold and familiar.

And suddenly

She was younger.

Laughing.

Being dragged outside by her sister, kicking and protesting, while Caroline just laughed and pulled harder.

Sam let out a small breath.

Mia jumped up and down in the puddles, soaking and carefree.

Sam hesitated.

Then stepped forward.

Then another.

And before she could stop herself

She laughed and joined in.

“See? It’s not that bad, you sourpuss. Now dance with me.”

“Damn it, sis… fine.” Sam twirled Mia around, then dipped her.

“Mia!”

The voice was loud and sharp.

They froze, turning toward it.

Mia straightened, suddenly bashful. Sam looked at her, then at the woman striding toward them.

“Um… that’s my sister,” Mia said. “She’s a sourpuss.”

The rain eased, sunlight breaking through the clouds as Mia’s sister stormed closer.

“Mia. Seriously.” She glanced at Sam. “I’m so sorry, she can be a bit impulsive.” A small sigh. “I’m Doe, by the way.” She held out her hand.

“Oh, yeah, um, it’s no problem.” Sam smiled, a little flustered. “I’m Sam. Nice to meet you.”

Doe turned to her sister. “What did I tell you about this?”

Mia just smiled, tugged Doe down, and whispered in her ear.

Sam couldn’t hear the words, only the shift.

Doe stilled.

Then her expression softened.

She straightened and looked back at Sam, more focused now.

“You’re coming to lunch with us.”

Sam hesitated. “Um… I, I don’t want to impose.”

Mia took her hand. “Come.”

Sam blinked.

Why does that feel like a decision I've already made?

“Ah… okay.”

Doe led the way, Sam and Mia close behind.

Mia squeezed Sam’s hand, beaming up at her.

“Um… what?” Sam asked. She wanted to feel uncomfortable, but couldn’t.

Mia just smiled and gave Sam’s forearm a playful bite.

Sam jerked her arm back, rubbing it. “Oh, my God, you’re worse than my sister.”

Mia grinned wider.

Doe glanced over her shoulder, shaking her head. “You have no idea. But yeah, that’s my little sister.” A faint smirk touched her lips. “Tell me, what was yours like?”

Sam let out a breath, shaking her head. “My God, it was the worst. I was the one reeling her in. That’s the big sister’s job not the little one’s.”

Sam looked down at Mia. “You’re a bad one.”

She couldn’t help but smile.

They turned the corner, and Doe led them to a small sushi bar, warm light spilling out onto the sidewalk. She held the door open as Mia and Sam stepped inside, then guided them out to the patio, where several women sat around a table, laughing softly over drinks.

One of them straightened as they approached, then stood.

Then hurried toward them, practically vibrating with energy.

Sam slowed.

Her brow furrowed.

“I…wait…” she pointed. “I know you.”

The woman’s smile widened.

“You’re…” Sam blinked, something clicking into place. “You’re my sister’s friend.”

“Glitter,” Sam said, the name surfacing as if it had been waiting. “You’re Glitter.”

“Yes!” she squealed, grabbing Sam and pulling her into a hug.

Glitter pulled back. “Let me look at you.” She scanned her up and down, then pulled her into another hug.

She stepped back again, taking Sam’s hand. “Come. I want you to meet my friends.” The excitement in her voice softened, turning warm.

Sam glanced back at Doe and Mia, confusion creeping in.

Doe gave a small nod.

Mia darted past her and jumped into one of the women’s laps.

“Who… who are you people? What’s going on?” Sam asked.

Glitter hesitated, just for a moment.

Then kept moving.

They stopped at the edge of the table.

“Ladies,” she said softly, “this is Caroline’s little sister.”

Sam’s breath caught.

The name hit harder than she expected.

“Samantha,” Glitter continued, pointing to the woman closest to them. “This is Lil, Mia’s mom.” She gestured to the next woman. “That’s Ed.” Then, to the one across from them. “And that’s Nile.”

Sam swallowed. “Um… hi…”

Lilith gestured to the seat across from her, calm. “Sit.”

Sam hesitated, then lowered herself into the chair. Glitter sat beside her.

Mia slipped off Lilith’s lap and climbed into Sam’s, placing her small hand in hers.

Sam’s gaze flicked from one woman to another, her mind racing.

Then she froze.

Slowly, she looked down at Mia.

“How… how did you know to call me Liz?”

Mia smiled, but said nothing.

Doe stepped up behind her, resting a hand on Sam’s shoulder.

A strange, unsettling calm washed over her.

Glitter placed a hand on Sam’s other shoulder. “Sam… your sister sends her love.”

Sam went numb. Her eyes filled. “Wha… what?” She swallowed hard. “H-how…? She was taken from me. She was taken…” Her voice broke into sobs.

“Yes,” Ed whispered. “She was.” A pause. “Liz… tell us about your day.”

Sam wiped at her tears and forced a breath. “Um… there was the funeral, and then… then I don’t know. I went to our favorite café and just sat there… and then… then…”

Her gaze dropped to Mia.

“This… this…”

She froze, eyes widening, then pulled Mia into her arms and broke down.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, sis. I just feel so lost without you. I’m so sorry.”