A lonely caretaker found a phone in the park. When she turned it on, it took her a long time to recover.
Margaret Wilson left for work earlier than usual. On weekends, young people always left a lot of rubbish behind, so she arrived at 4 a.m. to get everything done. Shed been working as a caretaker for many years. Once upon a time, her life had been completely different.
As she picked up her broom, Margaret thought of her beloved son, whom shed had on her own at 35. Shed never had much luck with men, so shed decided to devote herself to her child. She adored her little Oliver. He was clever, handsomethe only thing that worried her was how much he hated living in their neighbourhood.
“Mum, when I grow up, Ill be a proper man!” hed say.
“Of course you will, love. How could you not?” shed reply, always encouraging him.
The moment Oliver turned 16, he moved out, settling into student housing closer to his college. Margaret didnt like having him so far away, but he promised to visit often.
At first, he did. But then he met a girl, and home became less and less of a priority. And then he came back for goodonly to tell her he was terminally ill. Margaret couldnt understand why life had dealt them such a cruel hand.
She gathered every ounce of strength to fight for him. The doctor suggested treatment at a private clinic, but it cost a fortune.
Without hesitation, the heartbroken mother sold her flat. One night, the phone rang.
“Your son is gone,” the doctor said.
Margaret didnt want to live anymore. Without Oliver, nothing made sense.
One morning, as usual, she went to clean the courtyard.
“Morning!” called out Simon Edwards, walking his dog.
“Morning! Youre out early today,” Margaret replied.
“Ah, bored at home. Thought Id take Rex for a walk and have a chat with you,” he said cheerfully.
Simon was a lifelong bachelor. Margaret felt a little flustered by his attention.
“Right, well leave you to it then,” he said, continuing his stroll with Rex.
Margaret got back to work but suddenly spotted something on the bencha phone. She looked aroundno one in sight. She picked it up and turned it on. Photos flashed across the screen. Someone mustve been taking pictures and forgotten it. When she looked closer, her breath caught.
“My boy! My Oliver!” she sobbed.
Suddenly, the phone rang. Shaken, she answered.
“Hello! Hello! Thats my phonecan I have it back?” a womans voice asked.
“Of course. I found it on the park bench. Come to this address,” Margaret said, reciting her flat number.
The girl arrived shortly after. When the door opened, Margaret spotted a young man behind her.
“Where did you get these photos of my son?” Margaret asked.
“Of Ethan?” the girl said, confused.
The young man stepped inside.
“Oliver!” Margaret gaspedthen fainted.
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 revived Margaret. After they left, she finally learned how her sons photos had ended up on that phone.
Still shaky, she looked at the girl. “Do you know me? How did you get pictures of my Oliver?”
“Im Emily,” the girl replied. “I used to date your son. But he left when he found out I was pregnant,” she said with a heavy sigh.
“He left? How? He never mentioned you,” Margaret said, stunned.
“We were together a few months. When I told him about the baby, he just disappeared. I didnt chase him. Thought he was scared,” Emily admitted.
“No, love. Now I understand. My boy was sick. He didnt want to burden anyonenot even you. Olivers been gone for years” Margarets voice broke.
Emilys eyes widened. “Gone? What do you mean?”
“He passed. I sold my flat trying to save him, but we were too late,” Margaret whispered.
Emily exhaled slowly. “So he was protecting me. Didnt want me to suffer more”
Then she turned to the young man nearby. “Ethan, come here.”
The boy stepped forward.
“Yeah, Mum?”
“Ethan, remember how I said your dad left us? Well, that wasnt true. He was illhe died before you were born. And this this is your grandmother,” Emily said, nodding at Margaret.
Margarets heart swelled. She gazed at her grandson, her eyes full of warmth.
“Gran,” Ethan said shyly.
“Come here, love,” Margaret pulled him into a hug.
Emily smiled. “Why dont you move in with us? Weve got space, and wed love to have you.”
“Oh, no, love. This neighbourhoods my home. But Ill visit as often as you like,” Margaret said.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
“Mind if I join?” Simon stood there, holding a huge bouquet. He handed it to Margaret. “Fancy a walk?”
“Absolutely,” she smiled.
From the kitchen, Emily and Ethan peeked out.
“Can we come too?” they asked in unison.
“Only if you behave,” Simon joked.
Two months later, Margaret became Mrs. Edwards. Simons dog, Rex, adored his new family, often trotting alongside Ethan while his happy grandmother baked pies for everyone.
