As he sliced the envelopes with a letter opener, he glanced at them briefly, stacking them, and then removed the rubber-band from the newspaper. He read the headlines and was about to fold it and read it during his lunch break, when he saw a photo and caption. ‘Gerry Preston appointed to CLA civil and engineering department.’ Channing held the newspaper closer to inspect the photo. A young man with brown hair and a fabulous smile was shaking another man’s hand. A cold sensation hit Channing in the gut. He looked at the photograph on his desk and then at the newspaper picture. Checking the time, Channing used his cell phone and made a call. “Channing?” “Kim. Are you free for a second?” Channing knew it was near three pm in New York. “What’s wrong? I haven’t heard from you in years. Are you all right?” “I want to preface this call first. Don’t get angry with me.” “Channing,” she said, moaning. “What is it?” “I’m at my desk at work, and the LA newspaper was just given to me.” “And?” “Kim, there’s a photo in the local section. It’s of a young man named Gerry Preston. He’s been accepted to CLA’s engineering staff.” Silence hit the other end of his phone call. “Kim?” “How dare you.” “I asked you not to get upset.” “I lost my son seven years ago, Channing.” “Our son.” Channing looked at the photograph. “Simply because some young man has his name means nothing!” “I know. Kim, calm down. This photograph, if you could see it—” “I don’t want to see it!” she yelled, sounding like she was in tears. “It was your idea to send him away! Your idea for him to go to that youth program! Cambodia? What did you think would happen to him there?” Channing put the paper down and rubbed his eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring it all back.” “It’s been seven years, Channing. A mother never gets over losing her child. Why did you do this?” “I miss him as much as you do. I just thought the resemblance—” “We buried him, Channing. We buried our baby.” The pain hit Channing hard. “What if it was a mistake? That body was so charred—” The line disconnected. “Kim?” Channing looked at his phone. He set it on his desk, knowing it was cruel. Losing a child. There was no greater pain. Channing picked up the newspaper again and stared at the photograph. His ex-wife was right. He was grasping at ghosts.
