Not Who She Appears To Be

We met on the first day of school. She had red hair. Not scarlet or crimson but strawberry blonde that looked beautiful whenever the sun would hit it just right. My daughter Cassie was super emotional about being away from me all day and I was trying my hardest to keep her spirits up. I was telling her jokes on the drive to the school. We held hands as we walked together to the building. "You're going to have so much fun and make new friends. And we can have a snack together when you get home."

Miranda introduced herself to me while we were still waiting together on the curb. She had two young boys. Braydon was nine and Brian was 5. My daughter Cassie was also five. I would later learn that Brian and Cassie were in the same class together. Miranda and I got along instantly. We started to meet for coffee soon after we dropped off the children for school. The local diner was often our favorite spot. Miranda would always order a soy latte and I stuck with my usual large coffee with one sugar and splash of cream.

We spoke about everything. The neighborhood, the kids, how bad our economy was recently and soon I learned a lot about my new friend. Miranda had just moved to Oakdale from another city. She was divorced for over three years and now she was looking for a new job. She mentioned that she had worked in retail and often baby sat over the years. I had watched many children myself so we both had this in common. "I'll keep my eyes open and if I see any jobs online I'll let you know." Miranda smiled.

"Your so sweet Nikki, thanks. I have some money saved for now but I would like to find something before the holidays." I lowered my cup. "Have you ever thought about working at the school? You seem to love kids and the hours would make it easy for you and your boys." She just looked at her phone. When she looked up I realized she wasn't ok. "Miranda, what is it? Is something wrong?" "Its just my ex husband, he wants to see the boys and he hasn't been in their lives much. He has a drinking problem." "Oh, I'm sorry. That must be difficult on you. What are you going to do?" "Id like to keep him away but he has rights, I've been trying to keep the boys safe. My ex can be a nightmare."

"I'm so sorry your dealing with this. I'm always here if you need to talk. Lets go shopping." "I cant today. But I'll take a rain check. I better get going." We said goodbye in the parking lot and I saw her at school later that afternoon. A week later, Miranda asked a favor of me. She said that she was meeting her ex husband just to talk and was hoping I could pick up Braydon and Brian. I agreed. I took the kids to the park and then back to my house.

****

Two weeks pass and I start to see less and less of Miranda. When I text her she doesn't respond. I decide to drive to her house after not seeing her and her boys that morning. I wait on her front porch after I rang the bell. I can hear the TV playing inside. I knock and the front door is opened by Miranda. She is wearing a bathrobe and her long hair is in a messy ponytail. She looks surprised to see me. She stuffs tissues into her pocket. "Hey, Nikki, how's it going?" "I'm good. How are you doing? I hardly see you anymore." "Sorry about that. All of us have the flu so its been a rough couple of days. I meant to call you." "Its fine. You probably need your rest. I'll get going." "I'll call you as soon as I'm better.' "Ok, no rush."

***

The following day, I'm putting away groceries when my phone rings. "Hello?" "Hi can I speak to Nikki Lewis please?" "This is she." "Hi, I'm the nurse over at Oakdale elementary." "Is Cassie ok?" "Yes, she's fine. I'm calling because I'm having trouble reaching Miranda Flynn. I have Brian here. He isn't feeling well and she has you on her emergency contact list. Would you be able to come and get him?" I think for a moment. "Ok, sure. I'll be there as soon as I can." I arrive at the school and hurry to the nurses office. When I approach Brian I notice how awful he looks. I help him sit up off the narrow bed. He is holding onto his stomach. I help him get into his jacket. "What did you say was wrong with him?" I ask the nurse. "He was complaining about his stomach and throat and he has a temperature of 99.5" "Ok, do you need me to sign anything?" She hands me a form. I sign it and we leave the office together.

At the front office I wait to sign Brian out. I notice him grab his stomach again. "It'll be ok, I'm taking you home. I guess you weren't ready for school yet." Brian gives me a strange look. I begin to sign another form as Kathy approached me. "Hi Nikki, can I talk to you for a second?" I nod my head. "Brian sit over there. I wont be long." I follow Kathy to her desk. "Nikki how well do you know his Mom?" "We met in September. I consider her a friend." "We are starting to get concerned. The boys have already missed several days this year. Plus she hasn't brought in their records from last school year. If you could just mention it to her." "Ok, I will when I see her. Sorry to cut you short but I have to get him home." "Of course. I didn't mean to unload everything on you. We are just concerned for the boys." "I understand Kathy."

I call Miranda as soon as I'm inside my car. "Miranda, its Nikki. Brian is with me. The nurse called me, I'm guessing he still has the flu. I'm on my way to your house." Brian starts to cry. "I don't want to go home. Please don't take me there." "Your not feeling well, I'm taking you to your Mom. Its alright..." "No, she's not my Mom!" I pull over. "Brian, what did you say?" "I don't have a Mom. Please I want to stay with you." "I wish I could take you with me but I could get in trouble. Try to calm down."

When I get to their house, there is a man in the driveway. Brian gets happy. "Daddy, its my Dad." I help him out of my car and we approach his Dad. "I'm Nikki, I know your ex wife. Brian isn't feeling well and they couldn't reach Miranda." Brian runs to his Dad he hug him and lifts him into his arms. "Brian, I missed you so much." He puts Brian down. "Did you say you know Miranda?" "Yes, I met her at school." "My wife is dead. She died three years ago. I'm not sure what your up to." "Please I'm not up to anything. Brian, tell your Dad about the lady." He stares at me. "She has long hair, its strawberry blonde and green eyes like your son. I had coffee with her, I sent her messages." I start to hear a ring tone. I hold my breath. Brian's Dad pulls the phone out of his pocket. "That's her phone, answer it!" He just stares at me. "This phone was turned off. But its been ringing and receiving messages since we moved here." Then he plays me the last voicemail. The one I sent from my car.

My face must turn white. "Are you ok?"

"No, I spoke with her, she was real. I don't understand any of this. " He tries to calm me down. " It's her phone I'm sure of it. It never worked right and it rang the day after her accident. " " How did Miranda die?"

"She was in a car accident after she took the boys to school. It's been so hard without her." " I'm sorry for your loss. "

He looks at his son. I'm about to leave when the phone rings again. He looks down at the screen and then hands me the phone. I can see there's another voicemail. I listen to it. It's nothing but silence.