They entered the barn, the scents of plants, dirt, and fertilizer stirring memories as he led her through the barn and into a greenhouse. Tracey’s mind raced, her eyes darting to the faces of the women around them, suddenly wondering if she’d recognize her mother. Would her mother recognize her? She’d had long hair and bangs when she’d left home. The murmurs of customers competed with the sounds of registers dinging and shopping carts’ wheels rattling on the concrete floors. It was so overwhelming, Tracey felt like she might pass out. She couldn’t do this. She wasn’t ready. She stopped walking and turned to Diesel, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. Just as her hand landed on his stomach, her eyes landed on her mother walking down the aisle toward them. Goose bumps chased over Tracey’s body, tears welling. Their eyes met, and her mother stopped cold, her jaw dropping, brow furrowing in disbelief. Tracey couldn’t move, could barely breathe. Everything around her turned to white noise.

Tears spilled down her mother’s cheeks. Tracey gulped air into her lungs, the room tilting around her. Suddenly she was sprinting down the aisle, and her mother was running too. They collided in a tangle of tears and hugs, sobs slurring their words.

“Tracey? Oh God. Tracey!”

“Mom.”

“My baby. I’ve missed you so much.” Her mother hugged her tighter, their hearts thundering. “Oh, my sweet girl.”

“I’m sorry,” Tracey cried. “I’m so sorry. I should have listened to you.”

She didn’t know how long they stood in the middle of the greenhouse embracing, sobbing, apologizing, but at some point, her mother said, “Let me look at you,” putting a few inches between them. She put her shaky hands on Tracey’s cheeks, like she did when Tracey was little.

“It’s really you.” Tears fell like rivers down her mother’s cheeks “You’re safe.” She pulled Tracey into her arms again. “I thought you…I feared the worst.”

“I’m sorry.” Tracey couldn’t stop crying. She was devastated by the worry she’d caused her mother and relieved that her mother didn’t hate her, but as the people around them came back into focus, she felt Diesel’s presence behind her and remembered this was her mother’s workplace. Trying to pull herself together, she drew back and wiped her eyes. “I shouldn’t have come to your work. I can come back when you’re off.”

“Don’t be silly. I get off in ten minutes. My boss will let me leave now. Just give me one second. Don’t leave, okay? Promise me you won’t leave?”