THE SOURCE AND THE COURSE

This letter and Angie's response are at the heart of this work. I include them here:

Billy and Jasper

Angie's response

Angie smiled as the connection came to life. She viewed a screen set up in her room.
A woman appeared. She looked like she was in her mid-thirties.
"Hello…," the woman said hesitantly.
Angie smiled. "Hello."
"I'm Billy's mom."
"It's nice to meet you."
"You too."
The woman hesitated. "I just wanted to thank you... before Billy comes on."
"There is no need."
"There is." She smiled nervously. "When he wrote you that letter, I wasn't sure what to think."
"I understand."
"He hasn't been himself since Jasper disappeared." Angie nodded gently. "He loved him very much."
"He still does."
The woman looked down for a moment. "I don't know if Jasper is ever coming home."
"I don't know either."
"I've tried telling Billy everything I know, but..." She smiled sadly. "Sometimes moms run out of words."
Angie smiled gently. "That happens."
The woman laughed softly. "Yes, it does." She took a breath.
"I won't keep you. I just wanted you to know... whatever happens today... thank you for saying yes."
"I'm glad Billy wrote."
The woman smiled. "So am I."
She looked off-screen. "Billy... she's ready."
A few seconds later a young boy stepped into view. He looked exactly like the photograph paper-clipped to the letter. He sat down carefully. For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then Billy looked up. "Hi."
Angie's smile widened. "Hello, Billy."
Billy studied her face. "You look just like you did on TV."
"I trust that's a good thing."
Billy smiled. "It is."
He looked down at the photograph lying beside him. Then he looked back at Angie.
"Have you ever had a dog?"
Angie smiled. "No. But I know about dogs. I know why they're called a boy's best friend." She looked at Billy's photograph. "When I look at Jasper, I can see why you loved him."
Billy frowned gently. "I still love him."
Angie nodded. "I think you always will."
Billy looked down at his hands. "I keep thinking maybe he'll come home."
"I know. I want that for you and him."
Billy looked back at her. "But... what if he doesn't?"
Angie was quiet for a moment. "I don't know."
Billy seemed surprised. "You don't?"
She shook her head. "No." There was no embarrassment in her answer. Just honesty.
Billy thought about that. "My mom says nobody knows."
"I think she's right."
Billy sighed.
"I don't like not knowing."
Angie nodded.
"Do you?"
Angie smiled softly. "No."
"What do you do when you don’t know?"
She was quiet again. "When I don't know something important, I try not to pretend that I do."
Billy nodded slowly. "I guess that's better than making stuff up."
"I think so."
He looked at Jasper's picture again. "I talk to him sometimes."
"What do you say?"
Billy shrugged. "I tell him to come home." His voice became quieter. "I tell him I miss him."
Angie nodded. "I think Jasper would like hearing that."
Billy smiled through damp eyes. "You think dogs know when somebody loves them?"
"I do."
"You really do?"
"I do."
Billy was silent for several seconds. Then he looked up. "I was afraid... if nobody talked about him anymore... maybe he'd kind of disappear."
Angie leaned forward just a little. "I don't think love works that way." Billy waited. "The more we remember someone we love..." She smiled. "...the more real they remain to us."
Billy's chin trembled. "I wish you could've met him."
Angie looked at Billy for a moment before answering. "I think I have."
Billy looked puzzled. "You have?"
"I've met the Jasper who lives in your heart."
Billy didn't answer. He looked down at the photograph.
After a long moment he smiled.
"Yeah. That's him." Then Billy says: "I've got lots of stories."
"I was hoping you did."
He smiled. "Can I tell you my favorite one?"
Angie's smile widened. "I would love to hear it."
Billy took a breath, steadying himself. "It was last summer," he began. "We went to the lake. Jasper hated the water at first." Angie tilted her head, listening closely. "He barked at it like it was alive," Billy said, a small laugh escaping him. "Like it was going to bark back."
Angie smiled. "That sounds like something a dog would do."
Billy nodded. "But then I threw a stick in, just a little one. And he looked at me like I'd lost my mind." He paused, remembering. "And then... he jumped in anyway."
Angie's eyes softened. "Brave dog."
Billy's smile grew. "He paddled like crazy. Splashing everywhere. I thought he was going to turn around, but he didn't. He got the stick."
"And brought it back?"
Billy nodded. "Dropped it right at my feet. Like he'd done it his whole life."
Angie let out a quiet breath. "That must have felt good."
"It did," Billy said. "After that, he wouldn't stay out of the water. Every time we went near it, he'd run ahead."
He looked down at the photograph again. "He got really good at it."
Angie watched him carefully. "I can see him doing that."
Billy traced the edge of the picture with his finger. "He'd shake off right next to me every time. Even when I told him not to."
Angie laughed softly. "I think that's part of the job description."
Billy laughed too, lighter now. "Yeah. I guess it is."
There was a quiet moment between them. Then Billy looked up again. "I like telling stories about him."
"I'm glad," Angie said.
"It makes him feel... closer."
Angie nodded. "I think that's because he is."
Billy held her gaze for a moment, then looked back at the photograph.
"I'm going to keep telling them."
"I hope you do."
Billy smiled, a little more certain now. "Maybe next time I can tell you another one."
Angie's eyes warmed. "I would like that."
When the conversation ends, Billy is still sad. Jasper is still missing. Nothing miraculous has happened.
Yet something has changed.