Page 94 of The Stolen Child

Kimberly knew she had to call him Zach out loud, but in the privacy of her own mind he would always be Robert to her. Holding Kimberly’s hand, Lily led her back to the living room.

Zach had now opened all his gifts, and he seemed reflective as he looked down at them, scattered at his feet on the floor. ‘I’ve never had so many gifts in my life. And Santa was always generous!’

‘Don’t expect this every year at Christmas, son,’ Jason replied with a wink.

They all laughed and Kimberly’s heart swelled as their family teased each other.

But then Zach’s face clouded and he turned to face Kimberly and Jason. ‘I’m sorry this happened to you. I’m sorry that Robert was taken from you. I’m sorry that my mom hurt you like this,’ he blurted out.

The room quietened as his words bounced between them and their memories of a life lived with the ghost of a stolen child.

Silent Christmas mornings, escaping to a locked bathroom to cry, coming out with a bright smile as she and Jason tried to make the best of it for Lily. Until one of them would say Robert’s name out loud, and a fight would follow. Accusations slung about how they each dealt with Robert’s absence. Jason searching, always searching. Lily mediating. And Kimberly hiding her pain in her work. Until one Christmas Jason got up and left, slamming the front door so hard that it almost came off its hinges.

That was the end of the Murphy family.

Kimberly looked at her ex-husband and daughter and saw the pain she felt mirrored on each of their faces.

‘We missed you so much,’ Kimberly whispered. A tear trickled down her cheek, and she dabbed it away with the back of her hand. ‘But you are back now, and I do not want any sad thoughts today. This is a celebration! I have a beautiful meal prepared for us. I hope you are all hungry! And I’ve managed to get a bottle of Amelia Park 2015 Museum Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s always been a favourite.’

‘You’re giving us the reserve wine?’ Jason asked.

‘You’ve cooked?’ Lily added incredulously, making Jason and her laugh.

‘Yes! I do cook occasionally,’ Kimberly replied, giggling, and admitted, ‘Oh, okay, I may have used a caterer.’

As everyone giggled together, Kimberly felt overwhelming joy and relief. Her headache had vanished.

‘Will I get the childhood toys?’ Jason asked, with a twinkle in his eyes.

Lily raised her hands in the air. ‘Before you do, I have a confession to make. When I was six, I sneaked into the attic of our old house and opened all of your childhood gifts.’

Zach laughed, playfully shoving Lily’s arm. ‘You little monkey! Well, did I get anything nice?’

‘Yeah, lots of decent stuff. I particularly liked the train set. Mum and Dad found me up there in a sea of wrapping paper. Dad thought it was funny, but Mum went berserk! She rewrapped it all up. But Dad insisted that I get to keep the train. He bought another one for you.’

‘I did not go berserk. You make me sound like a crazy woman,’ Kimberly rebutted.

‘Maybe a little berserk,’ Jason teased, and Kimberly couldn’t help but grin, conceding this.

As she hoped it would be, that day, having her family in their first home, back together again, was one of the happiest days of Kimberly’s life.

‘Memories banked forever,’ she whispered to herself in satisfaction. No matter what happened following the fallout of the DNA results tomorrow, she’d always have today.

NOW

August 2023

Lily

DNA Clinic, Docklands, Dublin

Lily arrived fifteen minutes early for their clinic appointment at 12pm, but it was clear she wasn’t the only early bird. She found Zach pacing up and down the quayside, scrolling through his phone. His shoulders were rounded, and his eyes darted up and down the street, looking out for her, she assumed. And when he spotted Lily his face broke into the lopsided grin, she now associated with him. He jogged towards her, pulling her into a quick hug.

‘Am I glad to see you! Every nerve is on edge,’ Zach said.

Lily could sympathise. She’d only managed a couple of hours’ sleep the previous night.

‘I know! But wasn’t yesterday lovely? I’ve never seen Mum and Dad so happy and relaxed.’