Sarah Came Home

December 2024

Louanne was the first to walk into Sarah's hospital room.

Once Sarah caught sight of her now elderly mother, the tears began again. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but couldn't quite speak.

Louanne shook her head.

"No, no - don't worry about talking, Honey. You don't have to talk," Louanne spoke gently, reaching out to touch Sarah's hand.

Sarah didn't flinch at the touch, so Louanne reached out slowly to see if she could give her a hug.

The attempted hug caused Sarah to move back, startled, so Louanne backed up a few steps.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Sarah-Fairah," Louanne spoke gently.

Sarah hadn't heard that nickname in so long but immediately remembered it. She attempted a weak smile before reaching out her hand for Louanne to hold.

Louanne walked closer and took Sarah's hand in hers.

Jimmy came quietly in next.

"There she is, my Sarah," Jimmy's voice was soft and soothing.

Sarah's face softened allowing her to smile fully at both of her parents. Was this a dream?

They all just looked at each other for a few moments before a nurse entered the room.

"The police need one of you to make a statement so they can start the process of closing this case officially," she gestured to an officer in the hallway.

"I'll go," Jimmy smiled. "It will be my pleasure to get this behind us once and for all."

"Close the case?" Louanne turned to look toward the officer. "Isn't anyone going to try to find out who did this?"

"We're just closing the missing persons aspect of the case," the officer replied. "The rest will be easier when Miss Christianson can give a statement."

"Let's get this done," Jimmy nodded at his wife and daughter, before walking away with the officer.

"You hear that, Sarah-Fairah? When you feel better, you can tell the nice officers who did this to you. You do know who did this to you, don't you?" Louanne was marveling at the fact that Sarah was still letting her hold her hand.

Sarah nodded.

"Do you want to talk about it now?"

She shook her head and made a pained face.

"Okay then, Baby. We can just sit together for a while." Louanne pulled a chair closer so she could sit and still hold Sarah's hand.

Sarah smiled again then closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.