Michael is a single dad. His wife died in a car crash, leaving him with his 8-year-old daughter. He thought he was doing well and that his daughter was coping with her mother’s death. One day, she told him she saw her mom at school.
Michael mourned his wife, Simone. She died in a car accident a few months ago, but her body was never found.
Michael was left with his 8-year-old daughter, Hannah. Michael moved to another city to escape the painful memories of their old town.
Hannah adapted to her new school and seemed happy. Michael had to learn to be both a father and a mother.
Simone enrolled Hannah in ballet, hoping she’d become a great ballerina. Michael kept the dream alive, and it kept Simone alive.
Michael finished work early and picked up Hannah from school.
Hannah ran out of school and said she saw her mom there every day.
Hannah groaned. “Dad, what’s there to understand?” Mom cleans the school every morning. But she says she doesn’t know me. “I think she’s mad because I want to quit ballet,” she said.
“You want to quit ballet?” Michael asked, surprised.
“I don’t like it anymore.” “Mom wanted me to do ballet, but now she doesn’t even talk to me,” Hannah said.
Michael was restless all day. He thought about Hannah seeing visions of Simone. He thought Hannah was coping well with her mother’s death.
The next day, Michael took Hannah to school. Hannah kept saying she wasn’t lying and he’d see.
The next day, Michael took Hannah to school. As they arrived, her teacher got out of his car. “I have Hannah’s drawings to show you,” the teacher said.
The teacher gave him the drawings. Michael was amazed. “These are great.” “Hannah can draw like this,” he said, proud.
When he looked up, he was amazed. Simone was there. Michael was so shocked he couldn’t breathe. His heart was racing, and he couldn’t move.
Hannah ran out of her classroom, her face lighting up when she saw the woman.
“Mom!” Hannah ran to the woman who looked like her late mother. She smiled at Michael. “I told you I was telling the truth.”
The woman looked at him, confused. “Excuse me?” she said.
“Simone, is it you?” Michael asked again, his heart pounding.
“I’m Evelyn, sir,” the woman replied.
“How is this possible?” “How did you get here?” Michael asked.
“Sir, I don’t understand.” I don’t know you. You must be thinking of someone else. “I need to get back to work,” Evelyn said, leaving.
“You have a tattoo on your shoulder!” Michael shouted. Evelyn stopped, frozen. “A chrysanthemum,” he added.
Evelyn turned slowly, her eyes wide. “How do you know that?”
“You got it when Hannah was born.” Hannah Chrysanthemum is the flower on your shoulder. You said the flower would always be with you even if Hannah forgot about you.
“Let me explain.” “Let’s have coffee,” Michael asked, his eyes begging.
Michael went outside and leaned against his car. This was real. After some time, Simone came out of the school and approached him.
Simone nodded, and they got in the car and drove to the café. They ordered coffee.
“Hannah and I want you to come home with us.” “Think about it.”
Simone looked at her coffee. “I’ll come with you.” “I don’t remember anything.”
Simone had been living with Michael and Hannah for a week. Hannah was happy and told Michael she was right.
Simone was adjusting to her new life. She couldn’t remember anything from before but was trying to fit in.
“Is everything okay?” Michael asked, noticing her hesitation.
“Yes,” Simone said. “I remember something.”
Michael turned to her. “What did you remember?”
“We were by the sea, and a dog ran up to us. “It knocked me over and knocked down an arch,” Simone said.
Michael laughed. “That was our wedding.” The dog was Toby, my pet. He loved you and was excited. “That’s your favorite wedding story.”
Simone smiled. “I’ll still love this story when I remember everything,” she said.
Michael smiled, and Simone hugged him. Michael hugged her back, trying not to splash her. He felt warm and hopeful.
Just a few weeks ago, he hadn’t felt this happy. He missed being close to her.