Walt had gone to get additional equipment and help. When he returned, Daniel was gone.

I sat very still.

For 31 years I had believed Daniel ran back into the burning house because I had frozen in the hallway, coughing and unable to move quickly enough.

That belief had followed me through my entire life like a weight I never put down.

And now someone was telling me that Daniel had used his final moments trying to send me a message.

“What did Mom do?” I asked quietly.

Ben’s expression made it clear the answer wouldn’t be simple.

“I think we should ask her ourselves.”

I barely remember the drive to my parents’ house.

Ben followed behind me as we drove through streets I had traveled thousands of times. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly while one thought repeated in my mind: I needed answers.

My parents answered the door together.

My mother’s face changed the moment she saw Ben standing behind me.

“Reggie… who is that?” my father asked.

I walked inside without answering.

“That’s what we’re here to find out.”

We sat in the living room, the four of us, and I asked my mother directly.

“Tell me about the third baby… my brother.”

My mother pressed her hands against her knees. She glanced at my father. He stared at the floor.