I tucked them inside lunchboxes.
Coat pockets.
School bags.
Sometimes the girls laughed at them.
Sometimes they saved them.
I didn’t realize how much they mattered until years later.
WHEN THEY FOUND VANESSA ONLINE
Sophie was twelve when the girls found Vanessa’s social media.
Clara brought the tablet to me.
She didn’t say anything.
She simply set it on the kitchen table.
Vanessa smiled from the screen.
Luxury resorts.
Yachts.
Expensive restaurants.
Hotels.
Champagne glasses.
Beautiful clothes.
There was no sign of three daughters.
No mention of Archie.
Nothing showing that another life had ever existed.
Sophie read one caption aloud.
“Finally living the life I deserve.”
Lily stared at the photograph.
Clara finally asked:
“What happens if she comes back?”
I looked at all three of them.
There were many bitter answers I could have given.
I chose another.
“You treat people with kindness when you can.”
