A lonely park keeper found a phone on a bench. When she turned it on, she was stunned for a long time.
Martha Wilson left for work earlier than usual. Weekends always left the park in a stateteenagers never picked up after themselvesso she arrived at 4 a.m. to get ahead of the mess. Shed been a park keeper for years now. Once upon a time, her life had looked very different.
As she gripped her broom, Martha thought of her beloved son, the one shed had on her own at 35. Luck with men had never been on her side, so shed poured everything into raising him. Shed doted on her little Alfie. Bright, handsomeeverything a mother could want. The only red flag? He hated their neighbourhood.
“Mum, when I grow up, Im going to be a proper success!” hed say.
“Of course you will, love. Wouldnt expect anything less,” shed reply.
The moment Alfie turned 16, he was offmoved into student digs near his college. Martha didnt like it one bit, but he promised to visit often.
At first, he did. Then he met a girl, and home became an afterthought. Then one day, he came back for goodonly to tell her he was terminally ill. Martha couldnt fathom why life had dealt them such a cruel hand.
She fought tooth and nail to save him. The doctors suggested a specialist clinic, but it cost a fortune.
Without hesitation, she sold her flat. Then one night, the call came.
“Your sons gone,” the doctor said.
Martha didnt want to live anymore. Without Alfie, what was the point?
One morning, as always, she went to clean the park.
“Morning!” called out Simon Ward, walking his dog.
“Morning! Youre up early,” Martha replied.
“Bored at home. Thought Id get some airand say hello,” he said cheerfully.
Simon was a lifelong bachelor. Martha always felt a bit flustered around him.
“Right, well leave you to it,” he said, tugging the lead as they strolled off.
Martha got back to workuntil she spotted something on the bench. A phone. She glanced aroundno one in sight. She picked it up and switched it on. Photos flashed across the screen. Someone mustve left it behind. But when she looked closer, her breath hitched.
“Alfie! My boy!” she sobbed.
Suddenly, the phone rang. Martha fumbled but answered.
“Hello? Hello? Thats my phonecan I get it back?” a womans voice asked.
“Yes, of course. I found it on the park bench. Come to this address,” Martha said, reciting hers.
The girl arrived promptly. When the door opened, Martha spotted a young man behind her.
“Tell mewhy do you have photos of my son on your phone?” Martha asked.
“Harrys?” the girl blinked.
The lad stepped inside.
“Alfie!” Martha gaspedthen fainted clean away.
The boy rushed to her side. “Whats wrong with her?”
“She mustve mistaken you for someone. We should call an ambulance,” the girl said.
Fifteen minutes later, the paramedics had Martha awake. Once they left, the truth came out.
Martha, still shaky, looked at the girl. “Do I know you? How did you get pictures of my Alfie?”
“Im Emily,” she said. “I dated your son once. But he left when he found out I was pregnant,” she sighed.
“Left? He never mentioned you!”
“We were together a few months. When I told him about the baby, he vanished. I figured he got cold feet.”
“No, love. Now I understand. My boy was ill. He didnt want to burden anyonenot even you. Hes been gone for years.”
Emilys eyes widened. “Gone?”
“He passed. I sold my flat trying to save him, but we were too late.”
Emily exhaled. “So he was protecting me.”
Then she turned to the boy lingering nearby. “Harry, come here.”
He stepped forward.
“Yeah, Mum?”
“Remember how I said your dad left us? Turns outhe didnt. He was sick. And this? This is your grandma.”
Marthas heart swelled. She looked at her grandsonreally looked at him.
“Gran,” Harry mumbled shyly.
“Come here, love,” she said, pulling him into a hug.
Emily smiled. “Why dont you move in with us? Weve got spaceand wed love to have you.”
“No, love. This neighbourhoods home. But Ill visit often.”
Just then, a knock at the door.
“Mind if I join?” Simon stood there, holding a massive bouquet. He handed it to Martha. “Fancy a walk?”
“Absolutely,” she smiled.
Emily and Harry peeked out from the kitchen. “Can we come?” they chimed.
“Only if you behave,” Simon joked.
Two months later, Martha became Mrs. Ward. Simons dog, Duke, adored his new familyespecially Harry, who he trotted alongside while Martha baked pies for everyone.
