Reunited

Introduction

November 1965

I stood on the icy porch, up to my ankles in snow. My hands trembled, but not from the cold. By the time the door opened, I felt like I'd been standing there for hours, and the fear was beginning to fade. Either that or I'd just got used to the terror that numbed me. But when my mother's beaming face appeared in the doorway, I was filled with another dizzying rush of panic. I wished with my whole heart that the door would close again and I could be out there for a few more hours. 'Geri, sweetie, come in!' My mother exclaimed fondly as she beckoned me into the warmly lit log house. 'Hi mum, sure, where's dad?' I looked around for my father, but his tall stature eluded me. 'Oh, hes just out clearing the roads, he'll be back soon enough!' I thought I'd decided to tell him as well as my mother, but his absence tipped the balance in my mind once more. I knew how he'd react. Maybe it was best that he didn't know. 'Okay.' I uttered, stepping into the cosy, familiar house in which I'd spent my youth.

My mother led the way into the kitchen, where we chatted about little things before the time arrived when I summoned the slightest ounce of courage, just enough to announce my news.

'Mum, I came over because there's something you need to know.' My mother looked up at me then. Suddenly I dreaded the moments to come. I didn't want to hurt her, and this was sure as hell going to.