“Thank you both for coming. I’m going to head east, down the street and to the park. Do you want to head the opposite way and check by the pond, too? Meg, why don’t you stay here in case she comes back?”

David led the way down the street, calling his mother’s name.

“Has she ever done anything like this before?”

“No. But her doctors warned us this could happen. It just didn’t seem real, though.”

They walked the length of the street and then down to the neighborhood pond, going through the woods as it led back to his parents’ house. Paula could tell David was getting more stressed as they walked and there was still no sign of his mother.

Finally, as they were close to the house, they heard a sneeze and walked toward the sound. They saw his mother, sitting on the ground, leaning against a huge tree, with her eyes closed. The sun was bearing down on her and a slight breeze rustled the leaves.

“Mom? Are you okay?” David asked gently as they reached her.

She looked up and blinked. Her gaze at first was confused, but then seemed to sharpen and she smiled. “David, it’s so good to see you. What are you doing here?”

He chuckled. “Looking for you. You gave us a bit of a scare.”

Her lower lip trembled as she looked around her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare anyone.”

He held out his hand to help her up. “It’s fine, Mom. I’m just glad we found you. Let’s get you back to the house.”

As they walked back, he asked her, “What made you decide to walk out to the pond?”

“I’d stepped outside for just a minute, to feel the sun on my face and then I heard the distinctive sound of a cardinal and I just wanted to see it. So, I kept following the sound and ended up by the pond. I never did find the cardinal.”

They led his mother back to the house, and as soon as Meg saw her she rushed over and gave her a hug. His mother’s eyes welled up again.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be silly. I’m just glad you’re okay. What do you say we go in and have a nice cup of tea?”

“Do we have the vanilla one?” His mother sounded excited.

“Yes, I know that’s your favorite.”

David gave his mother a hug, too. “Mom, I have to head back to work. I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“Okay, honey. Nice to see you.” She glanced at Paula. “Who is your friend? She’s pretty.”

“Mom, this is Paula Whitley. We work together at the hotel.”

“Okay. I’ll see you soon, honey.” His mother followed Meg inside, and they turned to leave and saw his father walking toward him.