Page 128 of Meet Me in the Valley
But something deep in my soul tells me it’s going to be okay. Fear has no place in this moment, and I won’t let it take away from the reunion between a mother and her firstborn.
Call it gut instinct. Call it faith.
I know my mom is waiting for her daughter, even if her mind can’t say why.
I squeeze Nora’s hand tighter, feeling it tremble in mine. She exhales slowly, nodding her head. I turn to Cali who flashes a bright smile at me, along with a thumbs up.
“Ready, TT.”
Anticipation buzzes through my fingertips as I open the door and lead them inside.
Like muscle memory, Nora slips off her shoes without a second thought—respect and courtesy in an Asian household, etched into us since we could walk. I smile as I watch Cali mirror her mom, leaving her worn-down Converse by the front door and looking up at the house like she’s not sure yet if she belongs.
As we start down the hall, I glance back to see Nora’s eyes lingering on the family photos—years of memories she locked away, like her last ballet recital and our last family vacation to Yellowstone as a family of four. And then the memories she wasn’t here for. Birthdays. My college graduation. Blurry snapshots of a life that moved on without her.
Cali clutches her mom’s hand tighter, nerves flickering through her usually confident stride the closer we get to the french doors that lead to the backyard.
Through the glass, I see the back of Mom and Dad’s heads. They’re sitting in the shade. Mom’s holding a book, tea in hand. Dad’s leaning back, relaxed.
Behind me, I hear a small hitch in Nora’s breath. I mouth to Nora, “It’s okay,” even though my hands shake as I reach for the door handles.
No room for doubt now.
I open the doors.
Dad sees me first. His expression softens with that familiar smile and squint—until his gaze shifts.
And then he freezes.
His eyes widen just slightly, like he’s trying to decide if what he’s seeing is real. He grips the arms of his chair, half-rising over the seat, stuck somewhere between disbelief and recognition.
There’s a sharp intake of breath in my ear. Nora grabs my arm to steady herself. Her face melts from its natural stoicism to something softer as tears pool in her eyes, threatening to fall. She stands like an elegant statue on a fractured pedestal, as if one more blow could topple her hard-earned poise.
Sweet Cali clings to her side, shrinking behind her. For all the bravado of a twelve-year-old girl, I can tell she’s uncertain. This must be a lot on her. And for a moment, the world feels perfectly still.
Mom glances up from her book when she senses me behind her. Her smile is soft and warm. It reminds me of the setting sun, and I soak it in the way I always do.
“Hi,sayang. What were you up to today?”
Her voice is light, unaware. Dad stays frozen, like a marble sculpture, eyes locked on Nora as she quietly steps around to the other side of Mom’s chair.
“Mama,” I say gently. “There’s someone here to see you.”
A flicker of confusion crosses her face. I lift my eyes slowly toward Nora, and Mom follows my gaze. Her expression shifts the second she sees her.
She gasps.
“Hi, Mama,” Nora whispers, her voice trembling as the tears finally spill over.
For a moment, Mom stares, stunned and silent. The world narrows to the space between them, time suspended.
Dad and I sit motionless, bracing with bated breaths in case things go south.
“N-Nora?” Mom stammers, her voice cracking. “Is it really you?”
Her hand lifts hesitantly, as if afraid the vision in front of her might vanish. But when her fingers graze Nora’s cheek, the contact seems to anchor them both.
Nora closes her eyes and leans into it, wrapping her hand around Mom’s and holding it there like it’s the only thing keeping her tethered to this moment. She only nods, too overcome to find the words.
