I was inhaling and exhaling deeply, as if I had just run a marathon. I was praying for someone to answer, but at the same time, I wanted a way out. But there was no turning back. “Hello?” my voice squeaked uncertainly. “Hello,” a familiar voice said, somewhat stiffened. Yet when I heard it, I felt a curious wave of comfort wash over me. “This is Essie. Essie Miracle. The girl who was randomly found in a hospital room as a baby,” I went on, feeling like a blithering idiot. “My girl,” he whispered. “There’s no way I could ever forget who you are,” Dad replied. His words filled me with warmth. “So, how are things?” I managed to say, quite awkwardly. “Umm, things are faring well, I guess. I’m – I’m pretty surprised you called,” my father responded on the other end of the phone. Though I was completely aware of his great distance, for a moment, all I felt was the closeness between his breathing and mine.