Page 94 of Returned Mail

I smile despite everything. “Yeah.”

“I love you.”

My throat tightens. “I love you too.” When the call ends, I sit there for a moment. Breathing. Crying. Trying to pull myself together. Then my phone buzzes.

Lyann.

I answer immediately. I texted her what was going on, without much explanation. “Tell me you're not actually doing this.”

“I've already checked in, and I’m waiting for my flight to board.”

“Oh, my God.”

I can practically hear her pacing. “Mia.”

I laugh weakly. “What?”

“You're flying to another continent.”

“Technically two.”

“That wasn't helpful.” I smile. Because somehow Lyann can make me laugh even while my life is imploding.

“What if this is a mistake?” The question escapes before I can stop it.

“Maybe it is.” The honesty surprises me. “Maybe you'll get there and realize this whole thing is insane.”

I stare at the floor. “Thanks.”

“You asked.” I roll my eyes and take a deep breath.

“But.”

The word stops me.

“But?”

Her voice softens. “You have spent months and months showing up for him.” Tears sting my eyes again. “You listened.” I nod even though she can't see me. “You cared.” Another nod. “You mattered to each other.” The knot in my throat returns. And suddenly I remember every letter. Every story, every confession, every moment George trusted me with pieces of himself. “People can argue whether it's real.” Lyann's voice grows steadier. “But only you know how you feel.”

I swallow hard. “Yeah.”

“So trust that.” The words settle somewhere deep inside me. Not because they erase the fear. They don't. Not because they make sense. They don't. But because they sound true. “If your heart says go—” She pauses. Then finishes softly. “Go.”

The boarding announcement echoes through the terminal.

“Oh.” My stomach immediately twists.

Lyann hears the announcement. “That's your flight, isn't it?”

“Yeah.”

“Bring him home if you can.” The tears come instantly.

Because somehow that possibility hadn't fully hit me until now. Bring him home. She didn’t say to visit him or to meet him. She said, bring him home.

“I'll try.”

“I know you will.”