When I Was Four, My Mother Left Me Alone in a Church—Twenty Years Later She Returned Crying, “We Need You”

No hurt.

No guilt.

“You know where home is.”

That was why she was my mother.

PART 49 — HANNAH

She was smaller than the photograph made her look.

A colorful cap covered her short regrowing hair.

Mask in place because infection precautions still mattered.

She stood beside Leo holding the drawing book.

Leo looked older than twenty-eight.