The cold outside was nothing compared to the ice down Emma's spine as she drove towards the park, breaking at least half a dozen traffic laws. Dick had found him in the park, fine. That's where he'd been headed after school. But how many news reports had kids leaving after school and never making it home? Who knew if he was all right, and if so, how long he'd stay that way?
It was nearly dark and getting colder and the storm clouds were building and yes, fine, she was getting more and more anxious as she pulled up to the park. A park she'd always have a hint of hatred for. She'd had enough bad memories here, she didn't need to add another. He'd be fine. He had to be.
And what she saw nearly broke her heart. Her baby boy, the child who had saved her life in ways she couldn't even begin to tell him. Huddled against the cold and reading. And the expression on his face wasn't the usual content bliss he usually read with. He looked hurt. Even angry. But he was alive and that? That was all she truly cared about. Anything else she could work on. But she truly didn't know what she'd do if anything happened to him.
For a moment she simply watched him. Then she walked up slowly and dropped down into the seat next to him. She didn't speak. Something was wrong and he needed to come to her, not the other way around. Her first reaction was to snap at him for being so irresponsible and scaring her. Her second was to hold on to him and never let go again. But the mother who knew her child better than most simply sat and waited, her arms crossed in front of her.