Page 89 of Just the Wrong Twin

So that was why she referred to him by different names. “I’m going to guess that you went to the signing.”

“I just wanted to see if it was really Katia. They were already famous and there’s something about that kind of success that’s magnetic. Of course, she spotted me in the crowd and caught up to me even though I tried to get away. Katia has always been really observant.” Sonia sighed. “Once she promised she wouldn’t tell Olivia, we sat in some back room at the show and talked about our escapes.”

Nate felt annoyance surge again. Kids shouldn’t have to escape their childhood home. It was weird that she called their mom by her first name, but to his thinking, Olivia hadn’t been much of a parent. He kept quiet though and let Sonia tell her story.

“When Katia found out about the surgery I wanted, she immediately offered to pay for it. I was amazed when she told me how much she and Tommy earned. She had the cash and I didn’t, and she said she wanted to help.”

“So, she’s not all bad.” Nate had to give Katia a little bit of credit there, even though he wasn’t going to forgive her everything anytime soon.

“No. It’s not usually that simple.”

“But you also owe her.”

“Yes,” Sonia admitted. “It makes things complicated.”

Nate was blown away by the changes Sonia had made in her life without anyone to support her. He knew he would never have recovered from the loss of his hand the way he had without his mom’s tireless encouragement and patience. There had been nights, dark nights, when he hadn’t wanted to wake up the next morning, but his mom had always sensed it. He’d always felt the weight of her hand on his shoulder or her gentle kiss on his temple. Just her whispered confession of love had refired his determination to survive–and thrive–over and over again.

But Sonia hadn’t had anyone to help her through her reinvention of herself. No matter how compassionate a therapist or counsellor might be, it couldn’t be the same as knowing that you’re loved.

She was strong, much stronger than she realized.

And her love for people who didn’t deserve her devotion was tearing her apart.

He wouldn’t have been the man he was if he hadn’t wanted to help.

Even if that was a dumb choice for him.

“I feel like giving you a round of applause,” he said finally. “Most people wouldn’t have the strength to follow that journey alone.”

“I had my therapist.”

“But you didn’t have any family. I had surgeons and therapists and nurses, too, but I would never have made it without my mom. She was right there, all along. She was a thousand times more patient than me, always encouraging me to try again, no matter how many times it took.”

“Was it hard?”

“Of course! I was right-handed. I had to learn to do everything with my left hand. It was like being a kid again, and I hated that I felt helpless, but she insisted I could do it.” He took a deep breath. “She was there in the night when I had my nightmares, when I didn’t want to face another day, when I cried because I’d never be the man I’d been before.” His throat was tight but he kept talking. “I’d be down so low and I’d hear her footsteps. She’d come into my room and put her hand on my shoulder or kiss my forehead. She never turned on the light and she never spouted platitudes. She just told me that she loved me and that made all the difference in the world.” He shook his head. “And you didn’t have that, Sonia. I don’t know how the hell you did it alone but I’m in awe. You’re a million times stronger than you realize, and that’s an inspiring story for everyone on their own quest. I’m glad you’re doing the podcast and I think you’ll inspire everyone who watches if you share even a tiny bit of your story with them.”

It was silent for so long that Nate figured he’d crossed a line.

Then Sonia cleared her throat.

“Thank you, Nate,” she said, her voice so soft and warm that Nate closed his eyes to savor it. “You’re a really good friend.” Nate heard the uncertainty in her voice and wished she was with him. He could pull her close, feel her breath on his shoulder and have her hair wrapped around his fingertips.

“You’re not so bad yourself.” He looked at his watch, amazed at how the time had flown. “Think you’ll have your dream again?”

“Almost certainly,” she said with a conviction that surprised him. “We start filming tomorrow. I’ll feel exposed. Tomorrow night, it’ll be back. Maybe not so vivid, though.”

“Have you ever thought of trying to find Maria?” Nate asked on impulse.

Sonia gasped. “Oh! But I don’t want to interrupt her life. It’s been years, but I’d love to see her.”

“She can always say no. She probably was forbidden to reach out to you.”

“Oh! I’ll bet she was.” Sonia sounded so outraged that Nate grinned.

“How will you find her? Do you know her name or where she was from, where she might have gone?”

“I just had the most brilliant idea,” she said. “You’d better get your sleep.”

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