The narrator recalls having an imaginary friend named Michael as a child to cope with being left alone frequently by her neglectful mother Vivienne. As an adult, the narrator writes a play about Michael that becomes successful. She dates an actor from the play, Hugh, who wants the lead role in the movie adaptation, causing conflict. The narrator later reconnects with her imaginary friend Michael as an adult, realizing he had returned to help her through difficult times, including the death of her mother. They eventually marry.

2. When I was younger, I lived with my high-maintenance mother, Vivienne. For 90% of my childhood, Vivienne left me to fend for myself. Vivienne is a big-shot Broadway producer at ViMar productions. She often goes on month-long business trips to places like Europe and Asia. Vivienne points a finger at me for eating so much, then leaves me like usual. Vivienne Jane

3. Michael was my imaginary friend. He was there to be the friend that I never had, helping me to fit in in the world. As Vivienne works and goes on her distant vacations, Michael would take me out, walk me to school, and did me the biggest favor of all; gave me someone to love and confide in. We spent every day together eating ice cream sundays and going to Tiffany’s. Michael Jane

4. Michael’s job as an imaginary friend forces him to leave his children when they become nine years old. At my ninth birthday party, Michael told me that he must leave me. He promised me that that I wouldn’t remember him when I woke up the next day, so I didn’t need to worry about missing him. However, somehow, I could not forget him.

5. 21 YEARS LATER . . .

6. At age 32, I started working with Vivienne at ViMar Productions. I produced my first play that I wrote called “ Thank Heaven ”. The play was based on my memories with my imaginary friend, Michael. The play was a huge success! I started dating Hugh McGrath, who played the starring role of Michael. This picture shows Vivienne and me talking about the play, Thank Heaven going on in the background Hugh McGrath Jane Vivienne

7. Since Hugh McGrath did so well in the play, he was convinced he was the perfect man to play the same role in the movie Thank Heaven. I strongly disagreed. Hugh invited me to a dinner. Little did I know it was a signing for the role in the movie with his agents. I was embarrassed and upset. I told Hugh I still needed time to think about who I’d give the role to, and Hugh exploded with anger!

8. Hugh McGrath was desperate for that role in the movie. He drove right up beside me and pleaded with me to get in. Once in car, he apologizes. Then, unexpectedly, he proposed to me! I hear him say these words, “I’ve got the ring and you’ve got the movie. Let’s make a trade sweetheart. Do we have a deal?”(p.125) I was insulted and infuriated and told him so. Hugh kicked me out of the car. I couldn’t even look at him, I was so insulted.

9. One sunny day, I went out to eat at a nice restaurant alone. At the same time, Michael took his friend, Claire, to lunch at the exact place I was! As Michael and Claire were eating, I saw them and I immediately and recognized Michael. I walked over to him. His friend was nice enough to leave and let us catch up on old times.

10. Afterward, Michael and Jane spent every minute of every day together. But Jane had questions that Michael couldn’t answer. Was he here to stay? Is he going to leave her again like before? Why was he back? Finally, Michael came to the conclusion that he was back because he had to help Jane leave this world. Just as he had helped her into this life, he was chosen to help her out. Jane was going to die!

11. Michael invited me to go to Nantucket to relive our memories from when I was a little girl. The whole time, I was complaining about stomach aches. Michael was too scared to see me pass away, so one morning he got up and left for the city. I felt horribly, thinking Michael left me again, and I flew back to New York ?

12. Michael walked around the city frantically. He soon realized that his feet were leading him straight to the hospital! Oh no! He started running, worried that I was sick in the hospital. He busted through the door of the hospital room expecting to see me sick in bed and he sees… Vivienne! I arrived home, feeling horrible when I got a call from the hospital. I ran straight away. Sadly Vivienne passed away . Michael explained everything to me, and of course, I forgave him.

13. Michael and I soon got married and had a daughter of our own. What started out as an impossible relationship, not only became possible, but also brought me the greatest joy in my life.

14. THE END