THE beach looked different tonight. The usual dark clouds were gone, replaced by a bright moon and countless stars that made the waves sparkle. Abby knew this was a dream - the same one she'd had many times before. The dream where Danny was supposed to meet her, but never did.
Yet tonight felt different.
Her breath caught when she saw him. There, walking out of the shimmering water, was Danny. Exactly as she remembered - his messy hair, his easy smile, the way he held himself like he didn't have a care in the world.
"Hey, sis. Missed me?"
Abby couldn't speak. Her hands shook as she reached out, terrified he might disappear if she touched him. But he felt real - warm and solid as he wiped the tear from her cheek.
"You've been carrying this weight for too long, Abby," he said gently.
She knew this wasn't really him. But it didn't matter. The words she'd wanted to say for eight years came tumbling out. "I don't know how to let it go, Danny. It's already a part of me."
