She believed him because when he’d been stretched out beside his wrecked truck, it hadn’t mattered that they weren’t born of the same two parents. He’d looked to her for reassurance because only one thing had mattered—the fact that she was the sister he’d known all his life.

Are your mom and dad still alive?

She nodded.

Do they know their kid got switched?

“I don’t think so.”

Are you going to tell them?

“I’ve been debating that question for months.” Today’s events had clarified her decision. “The answer is no.”

Why?

“I don’t want to disrupt their lives. But also, I’m content with the way things are.” She shrugged. “I have a family. I have you.”

What happened to my biological sister?

“As far as I can tell, she’s had a wonderful life. Her name is Sophie. She’s married and lives in Atlanta. I’ve chosen not to reach out to her and her parents. But if you want the opportunity to know Sophie, then I’ll support that. I’ll help you contact her.”

He took a moment to think.

I don’t want to contact her. Like you said, I have a family.

“All right.” She did her best to hide her relief. “I love you.”

I love you, too.

The connection that had always existed between them was still there—tenacious and strong.

I’m afraid that you’re never going to let me leave the house again.

It felt good to smile. “I’ll confess that I wish I’d had a wee bit more control over you today than I ended up having. If I had, I could have kept you safe.” She clasped her phone tightly in her lap. “Back in the emergency room, I was contemplating how hard it must be for God to give people their freedom and then watch them crash their metaphorical cars into metaphorical trees. Yet He gives us our freedom anyway. Because that’s how we grow and make mistakes and fail and learn. You made a mistake today, but there’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll grow and learn from it.”

Are you gonna ground me?

“I won’t have to. Your surgery’s going to ground you.”

But when I’m better? Can I go back to normal?

“Yes, with a few small additions. You’ll need to watch numerous instructive videos on the dangers of angry driving. And you’ll have to allow me to cover you in bubble wrap every time you leave my sight.”

He rolled his eyes.

“In all seriousness, once you’re better, we can go back to where we were in our efforts to negotiate a middle ground between my oversight and your autonomy.”

What’s autonomy?