"He thought the dreams might be real memories, trying to resurface, that the trauma of the kidnapping had caused me to block everything from my mind. Then he suggested bringing in a hypnotist because there could be a real family out there still looking for me.
"I've heard that can often be very helpful," he said.
"I must admit, I was doubtful at first, but I was also starting to believe the dreams meant something, and was willing to try anything that might work. So we met in the doctor's office. I sat there, listening to him talk and answering questions. Then he told me to close my eyes and count backwards from ten.
"I don't recall hearing him tell me to wake up, but when I did, I could remember things. I knew that my dreams were real, and that my name really was Becky. I was Rebecca Sarah Harrison, called after my two grandmothers. It was a bit overwhelming at first, especially when I remembered the abduction."
He frowned. "That must have been difficult."
"It was, but it was also a tremendous relief to know that I wasn't delusional. I was swimming when he grabbed my arm and pulled me through the water, to a small boat, and lifted me into it. During this time, I was terrified, thinking I was going to drown.
"I was gasping for air when the woman in the boat took me and started wiping my face, but I could remember nothing else until I woke up in the bedroom where they had taken me, and immediately was violently sick. My doctor said the cloth was probably soaked with whatever she used to knock me out."
"That's what caused the nightmares about drowning," he said.
"The next thing I did was search for unsolved abductions, hoping to find my family, which didn't take long. First, I went to see Carl's wife, Joy, because she was closer. She still keeps in touch with his... my... parents and while I was there, she called them, so we could both give them the news." Her eyes filled with fresh tears, and she wiped them away with her hand. "I've been to visit them several times. They prefer the warmer climate now; it's better for Dad's arthritis. They never got around to selling the house, but Dad's cousin, Earl, has been keeping an eye on things."
He nodded. "I know. Your family never gave up hope. I kept in touch with your parents, even after we lost Carl." He paused a moment. "That was hard for everyone."
"I'm glad," she whispered. "You were always like a part of the family." She giggled. "You never knew I had a crush on you back then, did you?"
"Carl said you did, but I didn't believe him. I wasn't much into girls at that age, and you were kind of like the kid sister I never had."
