Day 20: What Is This Feeling?

The day before, after discovering she no longer had a home, Sally had gone straight to Kam’s house.

Kam’s mother had been washing the dishes when she heard the doorbell ring. She dried her hands and went to open the door.

When she saw who it was, she froze.

“ S-Sally…?” she murmured, unable to believe it.

“Is Kam here?” Sally asked in a low voice.

“No, dear, she’s not,” she replied. “But if you want, you can come in and wait for her.”

Kam’s mother knew exactly what had happened…
But to avoid worrying her daughter, she had decided not to tell her yet. She had planned to explain everything the next day.

Sally sat on the living room sofa. It didn’t take long before, exhausted, she fell into a deep sleep.

Kam’s mother quietly covered her with a blanket.

Now, as they ate breakfast, she began to explain everything.

“Sally… while you were in a coma, your mother showed up,” she said with a heavy sigh. “Using lies and threats, she took your belongings. And since she’s still your legal guardian… she took your apartment and your money.”

Sally tightened her grip on her cup.

“And on top of that,” she continued, “she complained to Child Protection Services for not having ‘looked for you’… even though she herself knew exactly where you were. That made things really complicated. We were about to become your guardians, but we couldn’t. To do that, we would’ve had to go with you and explain everything that happened when you lived with your mother.”

“I see…” Sally murmured.

“Ever since we tried to take responsibility for you, that woman has had her eyes on us. That’s why Kam and my husband went to Nagano,” she explained.

Sally lifted her gaze, surprised.

“Kam told us that during your trip, you spoke with a man who looked very similar to you. She thinks he might be your father. That’s why they went to look for him… to see if he could become your guardian. So you never have to go through mistreatment again.”

Sally remained silent.

“If you go to Child Protection Services and tell them everything your mother did to you, she’ll most likely claim we put those ideas in your head,” the woman added with frustration.

Sally took a deep breath and stared at the coffee in her cup.

“Things are screwed…” she said with a small sigh.

The woman moved closer and hugged her tightly.

“Sally… whether that man is or isn’t your father, you’ll always be part of this family. For my husband and me, you’re like a daughter. And Kam loves you like a sister.”

Sally’s eyes trembled. She returned the hug firmly.

“Thank you… ma’am,” she said in a shaky voice.

The woman let out a soft laugh.

“No ‘ma’am.’ Call me Alice.”

Sally gave a faint smile. Her chest felt warm.

This feeling… it’s so beautiful, she thought.
Like that time my hero saved me… or when Kam healed my wounds.
I don’t know what it is, but I feel a peace that… I wish would never end.