He was young. Late twenties, maybe. Clean-cut. Short hair. Dark blue uniform. His face was very serious.
“Are you Linda?” he asked.
I nodded. My throat wouldn’t make any words.
He held out a folded piece of paper.
“This is for you, ma’am.”
My name was written on the outside. Mom.
The handwriting was familiar enough to make my hands go numb.
Grant.
I unfolded it right there on my porch, under the yellow porch light, with moths bumping against the bulb.
Mom. Don’t call anyone. Don’t ask questions. Just listen to him and get in the car.
For a second, I couldn’t breathe.
Grant was my wild one. My fourth. The one I worried about every time my phone rang after midnight. The one who’d given me more gray hairs than the other five put together.
“I need you to come with me, ma’am,” the officer said. His face didn’t change at all.
I looked up at him. Panicked.
“Is my son alive?”
His eyes flicked away from mine. Just for half a second. Like he knew something and was trying very hard not to let it show.
“Please,” I whispered. “Is Grant alive?”
He swallowed.
“He’ll explain everything.”
That wasn’t an answer. That wasn’t anywhere near an answer.
But I’ll come back to that porch in a minute. Because to understand what went through my head standing there, you need to know who my children are.
And you need to know about their father.
Lila Hart is a dedicated Digital Archivist and Research Specialist with a keen eye for preserving and curating meaningful content. At TheArchivists, she specializes in organizing and managing digital archives, ensuring that valuable stories and historical moments are accessible for generations to come.
Lila earned her degree in History and Archival Studies from the University of Edinburgh, where she cultivated her passion for documenting the past and preserving cultural heritage. Her expertise lies in combining traditional archival techniques with modern digital tools, allowing her to create comprehensive and engaging collections that resonate with audiences worldwide.
At TheArchivists, Lila is known for her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to uncover hidden gems within extensive archives. Her work is praised for its depth, authenticity, and contribution to the preservation of knowledge in the digital age.
Driven by a commitment to preserving stories that matter, Lila is passionate about exploring the intersection of history and technology. Her goal is to ensure that every piece of content she handles reflects the richness of human experiences and remains a source of inspiration for years to come.