My phone buzzed in my cardigan pocket.
I grabbed it so fast I nearly dropped it on the floor of the cruiser.
A text. From Mark.
Mom, please don’t freak out. Just trust us.
Trust us.
After four hours. After five unanswered phone calls. After I’d sat alone at that table and cried into a napkin.
Trust us.
So Mark knew. Mark knew something. Whatever was happening, my oldest son knew about it, and he hadn’t told me.
My fingers were shaking so badly it took me three tries to type it.
WHERE ARE YOU?
All capital letters. I’ve never typed in all capital letters in my life. My kids tease me that I text like I’m writing a letter to the editor.
The little word under my message said Delivered.
But not Read.
I stared at the back of the officer’s head through the metal cage. Short dark hair. A little scar on the back of his neck.
“You know my son,” I said. It wasn’t a question.
He didn’t answer right away.
Then, quietly: “Yes, ma’am.”
My heart lurched in my chest.
“How?”
Nothing.
“Are my children in danger? Are any of them hurt?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Then why am I sitting in the back of a police car on my birthday?”
He let out a long breath. Like he was trying very hard not to say the wrong thing.
“Just hold on a few more minutes, ma’am. Please.”
I sat back against that hard plastic seat. I pulled my cardigan tight around me. And I did what I’ve done every hard night of my life.
I prayed.
Please, God. Not Grant. Not my boy. I’ll do anything.
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.