“Mom?” Dane asked, his voice low and husky. “Put me on speaker. You both need to hear this.”
“Oh Dane, please….Andrew!” she called out frantically. “Pull over now!” The line clicked, and Dane smiled at me.
“What’s going on?” Dane’s father asked, sounding both confused and annoyed, the sound of traffic polluted the background.
“It’s Dane. I think it’s Steffy…” His mom’s voice trailed off as she broke down.
“Mom.” Dane whispered. “Don’t cry. She’s okay. Steffy is okay, mom.”
“My baby.” His mother gasped, “My baby’s alive!” She began to cry, and I mean really cry. The sound of her sobs bringing tears to my own eyes. How surreal must this moment be for her? After all those years of hope and anguish, the one thing they would have never even let themselves consider had come true. Steffy was alive.
“Have you seen her, Dane? Is she okay? We’re just leaving the airport, where is she?” She asked “Where’s my little girl?” Her voice broke to a fresh wave of tears.
“She’s at South Mercy Hospital, and we’re on our way there now, mom.” Dane answered, giving her the address.
“Okay baby, we’ll see you there.” Dane put down his phone, and wrapped his arms around me, his lips resting on my forehead.
“Thank you, Lil. “ He whispered.
His parents met us outside the hospital. The awkward moment of meeting your boyfriends’ parents was overshadowed by Steffy’s miraculous escape. Aaron was waiting for us inside. He ushered us into a room, where a doctor was waiting.
“Mr. and Mrs. Hansen, it’s wonderful to meet you, especially under such amazing circumstances. I’m Dr. Peter Larsson,” He began. “I know how keen you are to go and see Steffy, I just firstly wanted to give you an idea of what to expect.” He glanced around at us. “Steffy has been through a massive ordeal. There is a big chance she might not recognize any of you, and she is not communicating at this time. Physically, she seems okay, but mentally, she has been hidden away for ten years. We know she has been abused, but the extent of that abuse won’t be known for some time.” He stood up. “If you follow me, the doctor will take you to Steffy.” Dane and his parents stood up to follow. I gently tugged on Dane’s shirt.
“I think it’s better if I wait out here. It will be enough of a shock her seeing you guys, I don’t think she needs the added confusion of seeing me too.” I said. Dane nodded. I hugged him, his arms wrapping tightly around me.
“I can’t thank you enough Lily. I just…” He broke off, sobbing. He didn’t need to say anything, I already knew.
“Go be with your family.” I urged him, kissing him softly. “I’ll be in the café, downstairs. I will come up a bit later, okay?” He nodded, catching up with his parents and Aaron, who had stopped up the hall to wait.
As I sat alone in the café with my latte, I tried to gather my thoughts. I was so relieved Steffy was safe, but my nerves felt as though they were balancing on wire a hundred feet above the ground. I texted Kella, even though it was nearly two in the morn
ing, I knew she would want to know.
I fingered the handle of my cup, wishing I could talk to someone, I was so on edge that every noise was making me jump. Grabbing my cell, I dialed mom’s number, all I needed was to hear her voice, and have her tell me everything was okay.
“Lily?” Mom asked, alarmed, as she would be with her daughter calling her in the middle of the night. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” She asked, her voice shrill.
“Mom, I’m fine. I-I just needed to talk to you,” I said, not able to hide the fact that I’d been crying. I sensed mom’s relief. “Dane’s sister, Steffy, they found her. She’s alive.”
“Lily, you’re kidding! That’s wonderful news. God, I can’t even imagine how they must be feeling. Where are you, Lily?” Mom asked.
“At the hospital. In New York,” I added, remembering that I hadn’t even told her I was going there. “Abby’s the reason they found her, mom,” I added softly.
Mom was quiet for a moment. “What do you mean?” She said eventually, confused.
“I’ve still see her, mom. She told me Steffy was still alive, and we tracked her down.”
“Lil, I don’t…I can’t-“
“Mom, please don’t say anything, I just needed to talk to you. I didn’t want you to hear it on the news first.”
“Do you want me to come there? If you need me, Lil, I’ll be there in a heartbeat.” She said. I knew she would, too. As much as I wanted mom here, having her here meant it was okay for me to break down, and I knew I needed to be strong for Dane.
“No, mom. Maybe when I get back home you and Anna can come up for a couple of days.” I said hopefully.
“We’d love that Lil. Please call me if you need anything. I love you so much Lil.”
“I love you too mom.” Ending the call, I wiped the tears from my eyes, and saw I had a message. It was from Kella.