I Cut My First Love Out of Every Photograph – 20 Years Later, My Daughter Introduced Me to Someone Who Looked Just like Him

The idea lodged itself somewhere in the back of my mind and refused to leave, because photographs aren’t accidental, especially not an entire album. You certainly don’t keep dozens, and you definitely don’t keep them for two decades.

Several times, I considered asking Miles more questions. Several times, I stopped myself. What exactly was I hoping to accomplish?

Jack and I were different people now.

We had lived entire lives since then. The past was the past. At least that was what I kept telling myself.

The problem was that the photograph kept arguing back.

Three days later, Miles called.

“Can I ask you something?”

The hesitation in his voice immediately made me nervous. “Sure.”

“I showed my dad the picture.”

I sat up straighter. “Oh.”