My Twin Sister Disappeared in Her Sunflower Sweater on Our 16th Birthday in 1986 – 40 Years Later, My Granddaughter Came Home Wearing It and Said, 'Our School Cleaning Lady Gave It to Me'
I laughed once.
"One more question. Did Laura tell you where this charm came from?"
Dolly nodded.
"She said your father gave it back to her when she came home."
Dad had held it the night Laura disappeared.
If Laura had it afterward, he'd seen her.
There was no room left for doubt.
"One more question."
I picked up my bag.
"Where are you going?"
"To ask my father why he let my mother die believing her daughter never came home."
***
Dad was watching television when I entered.
"Emelia. You're early this week."
I placed the wooden sunflower on his tray.
"Where are you going?"
His face changed.
"Where did you get that?"
"Did you see Laura after 1986?"
"No."
The lie came too quickly.
I laid the sweater across his lap.
"Where did you get that?"
"She came back."
Dad looked away.
That was enough.
"When?"
His shoulders dropped.
"1992."
The room seemed to shrink.
"She came back."
"Was she alone?"
"No."
"She had a little girl."
