Elena recounted her son’s last words before he unexpectedly vanished for two years. She held onto hope for a clue he was still out there. Then one day, she discovered it: a bracelet she had created for him now on a stranger’s wrist. That finding drew her nearer to the solutions she desired.
Elena’s coat clung with the faint aroma of lavender, a memory of the fabric spray she’d spritzed on before departing her hotel room. Sitting by the café window, she gazed at the glass streaming misty rain. This new metropolis was not home; it had never been. She was here on yet another last-minute work trip. Usually, she could occupy herself with work, but today her mind was racing.
Aaron was their fixation. Two years had passed since her son disappeared. Gone without a farewell or an explanation.
He was twenty when he left, an age when he should have been learning about life rather than fleeing from it.
All he left was frightening quiet.
What about Elena? She was left with memories that sliced sharper with every passing day and sleepless nights. She had searched for him everywhere, including social media. But to no avail.
Another text from her sister Wendy made her phone vibrate. “Any news?” she inquired, almost mechanically. Every morning, same question, same wish.
Elena texted back, her fingers quivering a little, “Nothing.” Just another day of wondering whether he is still alive.
Wendy answered right away, “He is.” You would know if he wasn’t. A mother always knows.
Remembering their last talk before he vanished, Elena shut her eyes. Casual as always, Aaron had remarked, “I’m going out.” Don’t wait up.
“Text me when you get home, she called after him.
He didn’t, however. That text never arrived.
Back home on her nightstand sat a photo of him aged 10, his face glowing with pride as he displayed the bracelet she had created for him. Tightly braided blue and green leather with a tiny silver charm inscribed with his initial.
Tying it over his tiny wrist, she recalled telling him, “It’s one in a million. Just like you.
“Really, Mom?” he had inquired, eyes shining. You mean that?
From the bottom of my heart, darling. You are the finest event ever for me.
What about now? Two years without him, and all she had left were those words reverberating in her mind.
Elena’s thoughts were interrupted by a gentle clink of plates. A plate of eggs and toast she had hardly seen on the menu was set down by the server. The air was filled with the warm aroma of pastries and coffee, but she had no hunger.
Her thoughts drifted as she nibbled on the bread crust. Where’s he? Is he alright? Is he aware of how much I adore him?
Footsteps brought her back once more. A young man with a nice grin, the waiter came back with the bill. Without glancing up, she gave him her card. Yet, when he extended for it, something drew her attention.
Small silver charm on braided blue and green leather.
She gasped. “It’s… Goodness, it’s AARON’S SAME BRACELET.
Her hand shaking, she gazed. “Where… where did you find that?” Her voice hardly got past the throat lump.
The waiter stopped to check his wrist. “Oh, this?” He chuckled uneasily. “It was a present.”
Her heart pounded. “From whom?”
His grin vanished and was replaced with perplexity. My future husband.
The room seemed to have tilted. Trembling, Elena gripped the table’s edge. Who is he? What is his name?
“Ma’am, are you alright?” he said, his voice showing real worry. You tremble.
“That bracelet,” she said quietly, almost touching it but stopping herself. Every thread and every knot I recall. I spent hours on that since… since he merited ideal.
The man’s brows came together in defensive knitting. That doesn’t seem to be any of your concern.
Her voice breaking, she indicated the bracelet. I created that. FOR MY CHILD.
A thick, apprehensive quiet descended between them.
Chris, his name tag read, watched her, his expression changing from perplexity to understanding. “Wait,” he continued slowly, “you’re Adam’s mother?”
Hardly struggling to breathe, Elena looked at him. Adam? No, my kid’s name is Aaron. You know my son?
The waiter declined. Not at all. But he said he abandoned all, including his name. I… I never understood why. He no longer goes by Aaron. He is now Adam.
The name struck her like a slap. A dam. What would make him rename himself? Why would he abandon his life?
What for? Elena said softly. “Why would he do that?”
“I have to know, please,” she pleaded. Every night for two years, I have pictured the worst. Murder, abduction, car accidents. Do you know what it’s like to wake up every morning questioning whether your child is dead?
Chris looked about and spoke softly. I don’t know all, really. He has never said anything about his past. But he claimed… he claimed he doubted you would welcome him.
Chris looked at his wrist after shifting uneasily. For me. For our part.
“Us?” she said again, the term weighty on her lips. “You imply…”
Chris whispered gently, caressing the bracelet, “We’re engaged.” The night I suggested, he gave me this. He claimed it was the most valuable item he possessed.
– Ad –
The remarks were merciless and crushing, like bricks. All the little things she had missed over the years came pouring back: Aaron hesitating before telling her about particular friends, avoiding inquiries about who he spent time with. Her heart ached. He had been afraid. Afraid of her.
“All those times,” she murmured, mostly to herself rather than Chris. Every time he changed the subject after beginning to tell me something significant. Was he attempting to…?
Chris nodded softly. “He said he’d tried to tell you lots of times.” The words just wouldn’t come. He was scared.
Elena’s tears clouded her sight. “I didn’t know,” she said softly. I never knew he believed that.
Chris’s gaze became gentler. “He doesn’t mention it often, but it’s obvious he’s still holding that dread. Look, I’m not trying to make you feel awful… In his own way, he loves you. Before he handed it to me, he always wore this bracelet. It matters to him.
“Did he ever…” she gulped. “Did he ever mention me?”
“All the time.” He carries your picture in his wallet—the one of you holding him on his first birthday. Occasionally, I find him gazing at it under the impression I am not observing.
The room seemed to be closing in on Elena. “Please,” she pleaded, gripping Chris’s arm. Tell me his whereabouts. I only want to meet him. I had to let him know… Her voice wavered. He has to know I love him. I want him to know I love him. Regardless of circumstances.
Chris was unsure. He might not be prepared for that.
I beg you. Chris, two years. Two years of vacant vacations, of putting a seat at the table just in case, of leaping every time the phone rings. I can no longer do it.
He sighed, took out a receipt, and wrote down an address after a protracted pause. He’s afraid, but… perhaps this will assist him as well.
Standing before a little brick apartment building, Elena held the address in her fingers. Though the sound of her heartbeat drowned it out, the gentle buzz of the metropolis filled the air.
She looked at the buzzer. Her finger hovered above the Apartment 3B button. What if he didn’t wish to see her? What if he ordered her out?
Her phone buzzed once more. “Did something occur?” Wendy inquired. All day you’ve been silent.
Elena texted back, hands trembling, “I found him.” Wendy, I located him.
She said right away, “Oh my God.” Where are you? Should I be there?
Elena said no. I have to do this by myself.
The door creaked open.
He stood there, staring at her as though she were a ghost. His face was slimmer, his hair longer. He was no longer a boy. Before her stood a man far older than she in weariness and knowledge. But his eyes—those brown eyes that once sparkled with mischief—remained unchanged.
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“You kept the picture,” she said, recalling Chris’s remarks. The one from your first birthday.
Aaron’s hand instantly went to his back pocket, where his wallet lay. How did you…?
“Chris,” Elena replied gently. He said all.
Tears ran down her cheeks. “Aaron,” she murmured, stumbling over the name. “Or Adam. Whatever you like to name yourself. That does not matter to me. I only… You have to know I adore you. I always did.
He blinked and his face crumpled. “You don’t… you don’t care?”
“Care?” Her voice cracking, she moved closer. All I really want is for you to be safe and living. How often did I phone hospitals? Mortuaries? How many times I passed by homeless individuals, wondering whether one of them was you?
Reaching for his face, she softly touched it to verify his reality. Your affection doesn’t matter to me. Your past is of no concern to me. I only want my son back.
He said softly, “But I’m different now.” I am not who you desired.
You are just who you should be. Should I ever have made you feel unable to tell me that, I really apologize.
He stood still for a time. Then he wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her shoulder. Mom, I’m very sorry, he cried. I was really terrified. I believed you would know…
“No, baby,” she said softly, clutching him close. Apologies. I’m sorry you had to bear that anxiety by yourself.
Elena sat at their kitchen table the next morning with a cup of coffee heating her hands. Aaron sat opposite her, hand locked in Chris’s. They appeared content, at ease, and obviously in love.
Chris chuckled, “So, hold on.” You painted the cat?
Aaron sighed. At six! At the time, it appeared to be a good concept.
“In his defense,” Elena said with a grin, “the cat did look rather festive in purple.”
Mother! Aaron objected, but he was smiling. We had agreed not to mention that, I believed.
“Oh, darling,” she chuckled, “I have years of humiliating tales to catch up on. Chris has to know what he is entering.
Chris held Aaron’s hand tightly. I believe I already know just what I’m getting into. He looked at Elena. And who I am receiving as a mother-in-law.
She grinned, her chest lighter than it had been in decades. Back on Aaron’s wrist, the bracelet sparkled in the early sun.
You know, you’re still one in a million.
His eyes brimming with feeling, he reached over the table. You are, too, Mom.
Wiping away a tear, she remarked, “We have so much to catch up on.” So many times to make up for.
He gently remarked, “We have time.” Every hour in the universe.
Elena believed it for the first time in two years.
