THIRTY-FOUR

My Facebook friend had messaged me again. Lorem.

Just this morning.

It’d been a while.

I’d briefly de-friended him.

Then wondered what if he wasn’t some crackpot messing with my head?

And friended him back.

Then de-friended him again seconds later.

Because of course he was some crackpot. Who else would it be?

A friend. That’s who.

The kind that looks out for you. One I didn’t even know I’d had. But a friend.

Welcome back, he messaged.

Gee thanks.

Ask them.

Ask who?

Who do you think? Laurie and Jake . . .

It was the first time he’d mentioned them by name.

Sure. Ask them what?

Are you being careful?

Absolutely. Scout’s honor. With a capital C.

Ask them where they sent their son.

What . . . ?

The year you disappeared. Ask them where they sent BEN.

So that’s what I’d done.