“Thank you. I appreciate that. You’re a great director, Lacey. I hope I never made you feel less than that.”
She thrust the paper in her hand toward him. “Here. This is the reason I wanted to involve those families. I think it’s about time you read this. See you for the reveal tomorrow.” With a smile, Lacey headed out the door.
Left alone in the house, Michael sat at Emily’s service counter and ran his finger along the pristine granite edge. He passed a hand over his mouth and unfolded the piece of paper.
It was a two-page letter, printed on regular office paper and stapled at the top left corner. The name at the bottom of the letter was one he knew well. Alison Forester, one of the moms from Jane’s daycare, and the lady whose calls Michael had avoided.
Dear Ms. Styles:
I’m hoping you can help me get in touch with Michael Zorn from theHandymenshow. I understand you work together. I have been trying to reach him for a few weeks but he’s never been available to take my calls. I’m not a lovelorn fan and I’m not trying to harass him. However, I do hold him in high regard and wish to express this to him. You see, Michael saved my son’s life.
My son Logan attended Jane Ashton’s daycare. He was there the day Mr. Ashton attacked and killed his wife. Because of Michael’s quick thinking and bravery, my child came home that evening. Because of him, my husband and I were able to hold my son and rock him to sleep. My baby is alive thanks to Michael Zorn.
Before that day, Michael didn’t know Logan from a hole in the wall. But now, whether he realizes it or not, they are bound by this tragedy. Logan speaks of him often. When he does, it sounds like he’s describing a super hero. It’s difficult for him to talk about what happened that day and the doctors believe he’s blocked out some of the events. But one thing is clear to him. He knows Michael was his savior that day.
I just want to make sure Michael knows too.
Please offer him our heartfelt thanks. We can never thank him enough. Logan has attached a picture for him. He hopes Michael likes it.
Sincerely,
Alison Forester
He flipped over to the second page and smiled when he saw Logan’s picture. It was a portrait of Michael dressed as a superhero. The boy had even given him a cape and it trailed out behind him as if he was in motion. He had a big M scrawled on his chest and brandished a hammer that was half the length of his body. At the top of the picture, Logan had written ‘Thak you’ in wobbly block letters, missing the ‘n.’
Colors bled outside every line. It was misspelled. It was still the most beautiful picture Michael had ever seen.
Breathing deeply to steady his nerves, he folded up the pages and popped them into his shirt pocket. Determined to make it up to Logan and his mom, he headed outside and home to Emily.
No matter what, he would return those phone calls.
