Jane Doe(76)

Luke is doing great, at least. We’ve only been a couple for a few months now, so he doesn’t miss being with a real girl yet. Someday he might.

And me? Well. I’m fine. I sold my place in Kuala Lumpur. My cat likes the new condo. I’m working in a downtown Minneapolis law firm under my real name. It’s a good place for me. I like the office politics and I’m great at negotiation. I love knowing I won, and I almost always win.

And I have Luke now. He’s mine the way that Meg was, and I’ll never let anyone hurt him.

I’m content. In fact, I’m happy. Really happy. I feel almost peaceful.

The door to the private family hospital room opens, and Luke’s mother walks in to meet her first grandchild. When I catch her eye, her delighted smile fades. She wants to glare at me, but she only looks away and pastes her smile back in place.

She’s been hanging around a lot. Helping Isaiah and Johnny set up a nursery. Inserting herself into their lives. She tried to weasel back into Luke’s life too, but he found it very upsetting, so I drove up to her place in Bemidji for a little chat, just one girl to another. She was quite surprised to wake up and find me standing over her bed, but I think I got through to her.

I love Luke the way I loved Meg, and I’ve learned my lesson. I am the strong one. It’s my job to protect. I see that now.

She offers Luke a quick wave from across the room, but she stays close to Johnny and the baby. I know she’ll be on her best behavior. I know she won’t ever upset Luke again.

I love him, so I’ve made sure of it.