08/15/2024
As a 16-year-old filled with ambition and dreams, Joey decided to leave home. Despite his love for his mother, Joey felt constrained by the life laid out for him on the farm. He left a farewell note to his mother, Flora, beside her old sewing machine."Dear Mom, By evening, you'll be back, but I won't be home. No, I wasn't kidnapped; I just finally decided to run away," Joey wrote in the letter he left behind."No matter how far I go, I'll always love you. I'm sorry. Take care. With love, Joey."After taking one last look at the house he lived in with his mother after his father's death, Joey turned around and walked away without once glancing back.Unaware of Joey's plans, Flora spent her day on the farm, waiting for the son who promised to help but never showed.Thirteen years passed…Joey drove back to his hometown, filled with anticipation. Getting out of his car and walking towards the front door, Joey could feel his panic swelling.But the house was empty inside. At that moment, Joey felt regret, realizing how foolish he had been for not calling her all these years."Is-is she—" he stammered, unable to say the thoughts brewing in his head out loud. He didn't give up searching the house and continued to look through every nook and corner of it.When he was about to give up, he glanced at the fireplace, shocked to see a half-burnt letter poking out slightly under the ashes. He bent down to reach for it, not expecting to see his name written right at the top of it.