Chapter 2: The Woman Behind the Red Door
Chapter 2: The Woman Behind the Red Door
Before I could answer, the front door opened.
"Clara?"
My mother's voice floated across the porch, warm and familiar.
"There you are. Dinner's almost—"
She stopped.
The smile vanished from her face.
The bowl she was carrying slipped from her hands and shattered across the wooden porch.
For several seconds, no one spoke.
My mother stared at the man standing beyond the garden gate as though she had seen a ghost.
David whispered only one word.
"Sarah."
She took a shaky step backward.
"No..."
Her hand flew to her mouth.
"It can't be."
I looked from one to the other, confused.
"You know him?"
Neither answered.
David slowly pulled the old photograph from his wallet and held it out.
"This was taken twelve years ago."
"Our wedding day."
My mother closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, they were filled with tears.
"My name isn't Sarah anymore."
"It's Emma."
David's expression crumpled.
May you like
"You changed your name?"
"I had to."
