I looked after this sweet old lady. We laughed, danced, and enjoyed each other's company. I met her one day at a local spa, and after that, weekly tea was a given.

“Did I ever tell you about my late husband?” She asked, taking a sip of tea.

“No, what was he like?” I reply curiously.

“He was the kindest soul, he was my muse.” She looked up, lost in memory lane. “He inspired most of my paintings.”

“Really?” I ask, looking at the paintings behind her. One is water colored with flowers, and the other is a lady doing ballet. And one I didn’t notice before. A man with a huge smile and a fedora hat.

I gasped, “Is that him?”

“_Mm hm,_” She admired, looking at the painting.

We talked about it for a while. He died serving in the military.

The memory of her faded, and I stood there looking at a purple casket, her favorite color.

“Goodbye Edna,” I whisper through tears. Kissing my hand, and placing it on the casket. “I hope heaven treats you well. And I hope you’re happy with your husband. _James_.”

Later that day, I was assigned to divide her belongings, when I stumbled upon a note.

“Hey, Nemie.” _My nickname._ “I know you’re reading this. I just found out my husband is alive and he’s not the man I thought I knew before. I beg of you, please look for him. His real name is Jerfery Larrled. Ask him these questions below. _Please_.” Her note left a sense of urgency.

I traced the paper with my hands, this was the last note she left me. I decided in that moment I would find her husband.

She included an address, so after finishing up. I got in the car and asked my best friend to join me.

“Okay, so you’re sure she’s dead?” My best friend—Leland asked. He’s the perfect blend of nerdy and masculine. He loves collecting books, but he also does jujutsu. Perfect in case this is bigger than I thought.

“I’m not 100 percent sure…” I thought back to it. “But she is the mysterious type.”

He kept his eyes on the road, but looked for a quick second whenever I talked.

“Could this be some kind of trap?” He asked.

“Since when did you become a detective?”

He laughed, “I just want to make sure we’re not going into shark-infested waters.”

I shake my head, “I don’t think so.”

“Got it.”

We had 30 more minutes in the drive. “Want to play eye spy?”

“You are a toddler!” He laughed, looking at me, then the road.

“Hey! It’s fun!”

“Fine, let’s play, you go first.”

We played all the way there, time goes by fast when I’m with him. I’ve known him since I was 14, and we’ve been pretty close since. Most guys I’ve met are obnoxious, but he’s pretty cool.

“We’re here,” he announced the obvious.

“Thanks, Sherlock, let’s go.” I tease.

We walk onto a yellow brick road, I’m not even joking.

“Someone must’ve loved the Wizard of Oz.”

“I know right,” I snickered.

A huge castle appeared, well-trimmed yard work, flowers, maybe 20 rooms or more. “Whose house is this? I feel like we’re in the 15th century.”

“Well for the day you’re a Princess. You first you’re highness.”

I laugh. “Thank you,” then curtsy.

“Wait—“ I pause, squinting my eyes at him, “Why not Queen?”

“Sorry, my lady.” He attempts a British accent, then mimics a hat tilt.

“Wow, you could be in a movie.” Both of us smile. I couldn’t help but have a great time.

“Thank you,” He says in a British accent.

“Oh, you’re going to keep this bit up—aye?” I follow along.

We walk in to find, lots of expensive paintings like the Mona Lisa, or a random squirrel.

“Welcome in.” A man walks down spiral stairs. “You look familiar dear,” He says, looking at me.

“Are you James?” I ask.

“No. My name's Helgurt, nice to meet you.”

“Never heard that name before.” I shook his hand, and Leland followed suit.

“I’m Nelima nice to meet you.” I quickly add on, “and this is my friend Leland.”

“Nice to meet you both. But what brings you guys here?”

“We are looking for a man named James, or Jerfery Larrled. Do you know of him?”

“Hmm, doesn’t ring a bell.” He says, oddly suspiciously. Leland and I exchange looks.

“Well, his late wife Edna wanted me to find him.”

“Oh—well. I can tell you where he is. But he’s not here.”

Well, where is he then, South Africa?