They met at a café at the edge of town. Although at first things were slightly awkward, soon they found they had a lot in common. Duncan loved old movies, the Temptations, and strawberry ice cream, just like Liza.

The time slipped away. And lunch turned to dinner and they still talked. The rain began to fall outside.

Liza really liked Duncan. She felt a connection between them and she didn’t want to start things out on a lie. She decided to tell him the truth.

“This morning, when I came to the shop, I came looking for you.” Liza explained about seeing Emma at the crossroad. “What do you think of that? Have you ever gone out there to check if it’s true?”

A cloud passed over Duncan’s eyes before he spoke. “No, I’ve tried a few times, but I couldn’t. I always turn and come back. I’m always afraid that she won’t be there, that it was all a lie, made-up to give people something to talk about. I’m not sure I can accept that, even if it is true. Though I barely knew her, I’ve felt her loss, like a hole in my life, every single day.”

Liza looked out of the window. The rain was coming down harder. “Do you think you could go with me?”

Duncan considered it and then he said, “Somehow I feel safe going with you. Yes, I’ll go.”

They got in Liza’s car and drove out to the crossroads. It was late, nearly nine, and the rain was increasing. They parked the car and waited silently. Liza feared she had brought Duncan here for nothing, that he would blame her for having his hopes dashed, for losing his mother all over again.

But then out of the bush, at the side of the road, she appeared, wearing the same thin dress. Duncan and Liza got out of the car.

Emma went straight to Duncan. Liza was surprised to hear her speak. “You’re so handsome, just like I knew you would be.”

“Mother?” Duncan said, his throat full of tears.

“Yes, it’s me. I needed to see you. Just once. I needed to know that you were fine,” Emma said.

“I’m fine. I’m fine.” Duncan was crying properly now.

“I love you. I wanted you to know that,” she said. Liza watched as Emma became lighter … and then slowly began to disappear. Before she was gone completely, she took Liza’s hand. Emma’s hand was cold. “Thank you for this; for bringing me my son.”

And then she was gone. Duncan grabbed Liza up in his arms. “Thank you! You don’t know what you’ve done for me. I feel as if I can finally go on with my life now.”

Liza kissed him. With that kiss something opened inside of her that had been locked shut until that moment, and she knew she had come through a crossroads too.

***

Tell us: What do you think Liza has done for Duncan that will change his life?