My voice trails off as something catches my eye. I walk over to the wall of photos behind her as my eyes zone in on a familiar figure. I gasp when recognition floods my brain, especially after I see the keychain attached to the bag the kid was wearing. Staring back at me was a face that I wouldn’t forget, even if I lived a million lives. My heartbeat quickened as I pointed at the photo, turning back to face Mrs. Vivian.
“This kid,” I said, staring at her as she nodded. “I know them. I wouldn’t forget them in a million years. I searched for them for weeks, but couldn’t find them. Who…who are they?”
She looks at me, confused. “Sweetheart, what do you mean you were searching for them for weeks?” She asked.
“When I was younger, probably about nine, I went to a park one day because I was frustrated after finding out that I wouldn’t be able to go to a camp I’d longed to go to for years because my sister talked my mom out of it,” I admit. “My sister didn’t come around often, but when she did, things were always tense. I didn’t know why then, but knowing the reason now puts a lot more into perspective.” I sigh. “Anyway, as I was sitting on the swing, I remembered this kid coming up to me and offering me a popsicle. When I looked up at them, they smiled and told me they’d gotten it from the ice cream truck for me because I looked sad. I took it, thanked them, and then they joined me on the swings.”
I continued to tell her the story of how this kid and I started talking, and how she even made me laugh a few times by attempting to do a front flip, but chickening out halfway through each time. I could feel the smile pulling at my lips, and when I focused on Mrs. Vivian again, she was smiling like a proud mom, dabbing at her own tears. My eyebrows furrowed, but I kept telling the story at her request.
“So, after what seemed like an hour, she asked me if I was feeling better, and I told her I was, then explained why I was feeling so down,” I continued. “That’s when they patted me on the back and told me that one door closing doesn’t mean that all of them will be closed forever. It was the first time I’d ever heard that saying, but it stuck with me even after they told me that they had to leave. We unfortunately didn’t exchange names, but they did leave that exact keychain behind.” I point to it in the picture and show her the exact one.
“So, did you ever find them?”
I shake my head. “No, but I went back to that park every day for two weeks straight, hoping that I would, so I could return it,” I sigh. “I also wanted to tell them that I’d won a scholarship to the same dance camp I was upset about not being able to attend.Just like their saying predicted, another door opened for me, and I justhadto tell them that they were right. And that’s also around the time when I started to live by that motto.”
“Raine, sweetheart, would you mind taking a closer look at the picture for me?” she says, and I hesitate but nod. “Just take a few seconds toreallylook at it.”
I turn my attention back to it and examine it closely. The more I stared, the more the wheels in my head began to turn. I got a funny feeling in my stomach and an odd sense of recognition. But it wasn’t until Dawn came down the hall to see what was taking so long that it finally clicked into place. I turned to Mrs. Vivian, and she had a knowing smile as she nodded.
“Wait, this isDawn?!” I gasp, and she chuckles, a few tears streaming down her cheeks. I glance over at Dawn, and she looks at me in confusion. I point at the picture. “This isyou?”
“Oh, yeah!” she chuckles, smiling at the picture. “I was cute, huh? Yeahh, I know. Dang, I remember that day like it was yester…why are you staring at me like that?”
“Did you know this whole time?” I ask, my heart beating wildly against my chest.
“Did I know what?”
“Dawn, do you remember when I told you the story about the kid in the park and the keychain?” I ask, and she nods. “Thisis the kid!You’rethe kid!”
Her eyes widen before looking at the picture and then back at me. It takes her a few moments, but when it clicks, she scoops me up and then places kisses all over my face. I squeal as she puts me down and takes my face in her hands. She kisses me passionately, and I feel myself relax at her touch.
“How in the hell didn’t I put two and two together?Of course,you’re my mysterious friend from back then! I should’ve known!” she exclaims. “I always felt like we had a deeper connection from the moment I laid eyes on you in the dancestudio. You know, every so often, I wondered about how your life turned out.” She smiles at me as if I were the most important person in the world. “God, this is the best day of my life.”
“And I should’ve known too,” I nodded. “You were so kind and attentive back then, doing everything you could to cheer me up. You don’t understand how much I needed that. You don’t understand how much your words helped me over the years.” I hugged her tightly. “Thank you for being there for me even when I didn’t know it.”
“I told you, Siren,” she smiled down at me. “You never have to worry about anything as long as I’m around, and it seems the same is true when I’m not around.” She chuckles. “I got you, love. Always. I love you.”
“And I love you too, Dawn.”
We shared another kiss as her mom looked on in admiration. She told us that she prayed for days like this, and all we could do was nod in agreement. It was in that moment that I realized just how much Dawn and I were meant to be, and I was excited to see what else the future had in store for us.
CHAPTER 18
Always Well Fed.
Dawn Anderson - December 13th, 2025
I yawned as I felt around the bed for the warmth that wasn’t there. My eyes slowly opened, and I was greeted by nothing but streaks of light coming through the closed blinds. A groan escaped me as I sat up on the edge of the bed and stretched, letting all of my sleepiness roll off me in waves.
“Mm,” I groaned as a scent began to waft through the closed door. I could smell the greasy bacon and eggs, and my stomach grumbled with need. “Wash your face first.”
I nod to myself before heading over to the bathroom and commencing my morning routine. After I’m looking and smelling good, I exit the bathroom and go over to my dresser to pull out a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt. Nothing fancy since I planned to lounge around the house until later on when Raine and I had to head out to the airport.
She didn’t know it yet, but I’d planned a weekend getaway just for us. I rented out an entire beach house in Southern California with its own private beach area, and we were just going to relax. I wanted us to enjoy the last bit of our downtime before we return to work mode next week. We had rehearsalsevery day leading up to the big Christmas Day concert, and then after that, we had a New Year’s Eve concert to prepare for.
After the tour ended, I officially started advocating for Raine to be the new official head dancer for me, no matter the event. She was shocked at first, but I assured her that no one would do a better job at it than her. I loved working with her and knew that the choreography would always be top-tier if she had a hand in it. I didn’t dance often; that was the dancers’ job, but I’d started incorporating more than just a little two-step in my performances thanks to how fun she made the experience.
My eyes drifted over to the bedside table. I walked over and pulled the drawer out, revealing a small velvet box. I’ve known since that first day a few months ago that I wanted to marry her, so when the opportunity for me to buy a ring finally presented itself, I did without hesitation. I still wasn’t sure when the right time to ask would arise, so I kept it close at all times just in case.
