As I was about to go out, he slipped his hand under his pillow and pulled out a small wooden box.
‘My treasure box.’
He opened it and took out a folded piece of paper, holding it out to me.
‘This is the place. Grandma Vivi always took us there.’
I unfolded the paper. A simple drawing. A lighthouse.
My heart clenched.
And in that moment, I realised: before I could build our future, I needed to heal Joey’s past.
Finding that lighthouse was harder than I expected.
The next day, I sat in front of my laptop screen, rubbing my forehead as pages of search results filled the screen.
Google didn’t care about Joey’s drawing or the memories associated with it. It simply produced lists: tourist attractions, historical sites, even abandoned lighthouses.
‘There must be a way to narrow it down.’
I looked at the drawing again. A simple lighthouse, neatly shaded in pencil, and a single tree next to it. That tree was the key.
I changed the search filters, limited the area to our state, and started going through image after image until….
‘There it is!’
I unfolded the laptop.
‘Joey, does this look like the place?’
He leaned closer, his small fingers touching the edge of the screen. His eyes widened.
‘Yes! This is it!’
‘So, mate, are we going on an adventure?’
‘Yes! A real adventure!’
The next day I packed sandwiches, drinks and a plaid.
‘We may not find it right away,’ I warned. ‘But we’ll have fun looking for it.’
Joey didn’t seem to hear me. He was already pulling on his trainers, his movements faster than usual with excitement.
He clutched his drawing in his hands as he travelled, absent-mindedly tracing the lines with his finger.
I turned on an audiobook about dinosaurs, but I could see from his face that his thoughts were far away.
‘What are you thinking about?’ – I asked.
‘What if she doesn’t remember me?’
I reached out and squeezed his palm.
‘How could she forget?’
He didn’t answer.
The coastal town was full of tourists.
People scurried between antique shops and seafood stalls. The salty breeze and the smell of fried food mingled in the air.
I slowed down, glancing at Joey.
‘Let’s ask someone.’
But before I could stop myself, Joey leaned out the window and waved frantically at a woman passing by.
‘I’m sorry…but you’d better leave.’
I felt Joey squeeze up next to me. His small fingers clutched the drawing and his eyes filled with pleading.
‘But, Grandma Vivi, I’m really here!’ – he stepped closer. ‘I drew this place, remember? I also brought a present for Tommy!’
Vivi pressed her lips together. The cup in her hands trembled, and I noticed her swallow hard.
What was she hiding?
I took a cautious step forward.
‘Look, Miss Vivi, I don’t want to disturb you, but Joey remembers you. He remembers his brother. And if Tommy’s here…’
‘I said go away.’ – Her voice grew firmer.
But Joey didn’t back down.
‘Where’s Tommy?’ – he asked, barely audible.
Vivi turned away, but I caught a glimpse of her hand clenched into a fist.
So he’s here, then.
‘Miss Vivi,’ I tried to speak softly. ‘I realise this is hard. But Joey won’t forget Tommy. Doesn’t he deserve to at least meet him?’
Vivi closed her eyes.
The silence dragged on.
And then…
The door creaked open.
I turned round.
A boy, a little older than Joey, stood on the doorstep. Dark eyes. A slight wariness. And something…native.
‘Joey?’ – The voice trailed off at the half-word.
Joey held his breath.
‘Tommy!’
And before anyone could say a word, he rushed forward, hugging his brother.
Joey’s face darkened.
‘Please,’ I said quietly. ‘He just wants to see his brother.’
‘No need to dig into the past.’
And then, without another word, she closed the door.
I stood there like a dumbfounded person for a moment, anger, confusion, and sadness overwhelming me. I wanted to knock again, to make her talk, to demand an explanation. But I couldn’t.
Joey stared at the door. His small shoulders slumped. I crouched down next to him.
‘I’m so sorry, honey.’
He didn’t cry. Instead, he took a slow breath and gently placed the drawing on the threshold.
Then, without another word, he turned and walked back to the car. My heart was broken. I started the engine as I drove away from the house. I was already cursing myself for bringing him here. For making him hopeful.
But then.
‘Joey! Joey!’
I saw a blurred silhouette in the rearview mirror.
Joey looked up.
‘Tommy?’
I hit the brakes hard just as a boy identical to Joey ran toward us, swinging his arms, panting. Before I could stop him, Joey swung the door open and ran out.
They collided, hugging each other so tightly I thought they’d never let go of each other. I covered my mouth, unable to hold back my emotions.
Behind them, Vivi stood in the doorway, her hand pressed to her chest and her eyes glistening.