Then Ray said:
"Sarah was Lily's best friend."
"I know that."
"No."
His voice became quieter.
"You don't."
Maya sat down.
"What are you talking about?"
Ray took a breath.
"Sarah was the girl who called me the night Lily died."
Maya felt cold.
"What did she say?"
"She said Lily had been hurt."
"And?"
"By the time I got there..."
His voice broke.
"I was too late."
Maya covered her mouth.
"I'm sorry."
Ray continued.
"Sarah blamed herself."
"Why?"
"Because Lily had been driving to meet her."
Maya closed her eyes.
"And Sarah disappeared afterward."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because she thought I hated her."
Maya looked at the photograph.
"Did you?"
Ray's answer came quietly.
"Never."
Maya didn't understand why Ray was telling her all this.
Until he said:
"Sarah is alive."
Maya froze.
"What?"
"She's alive."
"Where?"
"Here."
The diner door opened.
Maya turned.
A woman stood in the entrance.
Older now.
Gray in her hair.
Tears already running down her cheeks.
She looked at Maya.
Then at the red bandana around her wrist.
The woman whispered:
"Lily?"
Maya stood.
"Who are you?"
The woman covered her mouth.
"My name is Sarah."
For a long time, neither woman moved.
Then Sarah walked forward.
"I've wanted to come here for twenty years."
Maya looked toward Ray.
He stood behind her.
Quiet.
Watching.
Sarah touched the bandana.
"She made that."
"I know."
"She wore it every day."
"I know."
Sarah smiled through tears.
"She loved that stupid thing."
Maya laughed softly.
"Ray told me."
Sarah looked toward him.
"You told her?"
Ray nodded.
"Everything."
Sarah began crying.
"I thought you hated me."
"I never did."
"I ran."
"I know."
"I was scared."