When I See You Again

Chapter 3: Think About It

"I'm sorry sir, but we just have no record of a town called Storybrooke anywhere in the State of Maine. There are some lovely coastal hamlets however, if you would like me to send you a visitor's guide." The agent from the Maine Office of Tourism was clearly beginning to tire of Henry's assertion that there indeed was a place called Storybrooke.

"Sure, yeah, send it. Whatever. Thanks for your help." Henry gave her his address and dejectedly hung up the phone. He had begun searching the internet when he'd awoken from his nightmare and had turned up nothing. Once his mom had gone in to work for a couple hours, he had set about making calls to travel agents, government offices, anyone who might be able to help.

This last call had been his final hope.

Henry was sure the town must be in Maine. He and Emma had taken a trip there just before coming to New York. At least, that was the way he remembered it. They had gotten lost on their trek along the coast, and although he didn't remember Storybrooke or the scene that unfolded in the middle of the road, he did remember the road. They had finally found their way back to civilization along that road.

Henry quickly made a few notes in his dream journal.

Things I'm sure about: Regina is real. She is the mayor of Storybrooke and lives in a large house. She and Mom are my...

At these words Henry stopped. Chewing on the pen cap, he mulled over some options. Moms? Parents? Co-parents? What did that mean? How could Regina be his mom too? Henry thought about this and only one thing came to mind. Maybe they were a couple.

Tapping his lips with the pen, Henry took a moment to let this thought settle over him. In his dreams they had argued about him a lot. But he also noted that in his dreams, even the arguing ones, they seemed to care about each other, protect each other and consult each other about things. He shook his head to clear thoughts of the number of times they stared a little longer than he was comfortable with.

Henry continued his list.

She and Mom are my co-parents. They seem to be a couple who has broken up. Peter Pan is real. Neverland and Storybrooke are real places that I have been. Storybrooke is on the coast and likely the coast of Maine. Nobody knows where it is. None of this is very helpful.

With those last words Henry chunked the journal and pen onto the coffee table. He wasn't giving up but he wasn't making any progress this way. He needed to think. And nothing helped him think better than a cup of cocoa.

There has got to be a way to find this town...

↮

"...happy birthday dear Henry! Happy birthday to you!"

There was something unpleasant and amusing about the sound of the cracking voices of teenage boys singing a childish song. Emma couldn't help but laugh at the embarrassed faces-all of them, not just Henry's- after she had insisted they sing. Once the song was sung and the cake served, everyone waited for the gifts to be opened so they could get back to the games.

Emma hadn't been sure what exactly to do for her son's party this year. He was, after all, thirteen. And what was fine at twelve wasn't fine at thirteen. Emma smiled at her successful choice. Henry had invited several boys from his school as well as three very awkward and lanky girls to join him at the Good Times Depot.

With bumper cars, miniature golf, laser tag and a greasy snack bar, Good Times Depot was a kid's paradise. But the part that made it worth the trip out was the arcade. It was huge and featured new games as well as classics like Pac-Man and Frogger. There was an entire section of games that paid tickets for your scores, tickets that could be traded for candy, stuffed animals and cheap plastic trinkets. Yep, Swan, you outdid yourself tonight.