Page 66 of Capturing Hearts

“Don’t I know it,” Mark agrees, Annie cradled in his arms. He’s 6’4” and strong as an ox, so I only look back two or three times to make sure she’s okay. Nicole’s behind the four of us, carting down the last articles we’d brought.

When we’re all tucked into the car, Nicole remembers something. “Hey. Weird. We didn’t need a cab after all. Rebecca’s not here.”

Mark and I share an incredulous look at that unexpected turn of events and I start the car, backing up at a nice, safe speed. The sun has finally gone down and while we can’t see it, its presence is still felt in the light gray sky. The fog is rolling in off the water, creeping up the base of the bridge, and Annie looks out the window at it as we begin the journey back.

We ride in silence, everybody tired. About halfway across the Golden Gate, Annie’s voice is happy. “New memory, honey.”

In the rearview mirror, I meet her eyes. “What do you mean?”

“For the fog. It was foggy the night Jacob first opened his eyes. Reframing the memory of fog.” She smiles.

I twist in the seat. “Did he just open both his eyes?!”

Mark hits me in the arm, his voice happy. “Watch the road, Papa.”

Laughing, I do as he says, but not without muttering out of the corner of my mouth. “Shut it.” And to myself, “I can’t believe I missed that.”

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