There are some truths we have to face, whether we choose to or not and some memories, we just cannot forget.

"If I tell you about this, you have to tell me all about you," I said, finally finding my words.

"Absolutely," he replied.

"When I was three, Ben and I were sent to an orphanage for children who'd lost their parents to war. My parents, Titus and Mary Sanders were doctors for the army. During one of their many deploys, the home base where they were stationed was bombed. There was no funeral since we had no close relatives to arrange any of that and Ben was only six and he basically had no say in the matter. There were no remains so plaques were placed in their memory," I said.

It was the first time I ever spoke openly about my parents. Ben always found it hard to bring up the subject so I'd taken it upon myself to inquire about the truth.

"The only memory I have of them that's clear is the last day they spent with us before saying goodbye. We'd had a picnic together and later some ice cream then walked back home where Miriam, our nanny then, took care of us. Ben had a hard time adjusting to the orphanage once we were sent there but I always felt that they'd come back like they always did after being away for months. The orphanage would be our home as was stipulated in their last will and testament."

Liam didn't say a word. He simply sat quietly and listened. The words poured out of my mouth and for the first time in six years, I felt relieved. 

"I was oblivious of their absence until Ben and I had to leave the orphanage since he was legally an adult and I was a few months shy of turning eighteen. Since he was of no use, I talked to Beatrice, our ward at the orphanage, and asked her a few questions about our parents. She was the one who told me all that you're hearing now. I said nothing to Ben because their death had hit him hard. I, on the other hand, was saved by my innocence and mere ignorance of the matter."

We sat in silence. He stared at me, without flinching and I stared right back. I was done sharing the pieces of me I wish had remained hidden.

"Would you be interested in meeting them?" He asked.

"What do you mean?"

"You're dead, they're dead...I could tell you what zone they are in," Liam replied.

"I hadn't even thought of that possibility. They completely slipped my mind," I said.

"Well, what do you say? Would you like to know about their whereabouts or not?"

Getting used to being dead was one thing. Meeting your parents after twenty years is another experience altogether. What was I to say to them? 

"Fancy meeting you here?"

"I'm glad I caught you on the other side?"

Why bring them up now? What was Liam thinking? I felt like I was being baited.

"I'll decide after you tell me your story," I shot back.

"You cannot brush off their existence forever Lola," he replied, shifting in his seat.

"It's either you're hiding something or my decision to meet them is more enticing either way, I kind of win."

"I have nothing to hide."

"Well then, prove it, Mr. Grim Reaper."

When those words left my lips, I instantly regretted it. The smile that danced on his face could put IT to shame. There was more to him than I ever thought imaginable and I was about to find out.