A lonely cleaner finds a phone in the park. Turning it on, she struggles to compose herself.
Martha Wilson leaves for work earlier than usual. Weekends always leave behind a mess from late-night revellers, so she arrives at 4 a.m. to make sure everything is tidy. Shes been a cleaner for many years now. Once, her life had been completely different.
As she picks up her broom, Martha thinks of her beloved son, whom she had at 35. Men had never stayed in her life long, so she devoted herself entirely to her boy. She adored her Jamie. He was clever, handsomethough it worried her how much he hated their neighbourhood.
“Mum, when I grow up, Ill be someone important!” hed say.
“Of course you will, love. No doubt about it,” shed reply.
The moment he turned 16, Jamie left home, moving into a student flat closer to his college. Martha hated how far away he was, but he promised to visit often.
At first, he did. But then he met a girl, and thoughts of home faded. Later, he returned for goodonly to tell her he was terminally ill. Martha couldnt understand why life had been so cruel to them.
She fought with everything she had. The doctors suggested treatment at a private clinic, but the cost was staggering. Without hesitation, she sold her flat. Then, one night, the call came.
“Your son is gone,” the doctor said.
Martha didnt want to live anymore. Without Jamie, nothing mattered.
One morning, as always, she went to clean the park.
“Morning!” called Simon Lewis, walking his dog.
“Morning! Youre out early,” Martha replied.
“Bored at home. Thought Id get some airand keep you company,” he said with a grin.
Simon was a lifelong bachelor. Martha felt a little flustered by his attention.
“Right, well let you get on,” he said, tugging the dogs lead.
Martha returned to workuntil she spotted something on the bench. A phone. She glanced aroundno one in sight. She picked it up and turned it on. Photos flashed across the screen. Someone mustve left it behind. As she looked closer, her breath caught.
“My boy! My Jamie!” she sobbed.
Suddenly, the phone rang. Hesitating, 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,” Martha said, reciting her own.
The woman arrived quickly. 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.
“Of Ethan?” the woman frowned.
The young man stepped inside.
“Jamie!” Martha gaspedthen collapsed.
He rushed to her side. “Whats wrong?”
“She mustve mistaken you for someone. We should call an ambulance,” the woman said.
Fifteen minutes later, the paramedics revived Martha. Once they left, she finally learned the truth.
Still shaken, she turned to the woman. “Do you know me? How did you get photos of my Jamie?”
“Im Emma,” the woman said. “I dated your son. But he left when I told him I was pregnant.”
“Left? He never mentioned you,” Martha said, stunned.
“We were together a few months. When I told him, he just vanished. I figured he was scared.”
“No, love. Now I understand. My boy was ill. He didnt want to be a burden, not even to you. Jamies been gone for years,” Martha whispered, tears falling.
Emmas eyes widened. “Gone?”
“He passed. I sold my home trying to save him, but it wasnt enough. We ran out of time.”
Emma exhaled slowly. “So he was protecting me.”
Then she waved the young man over. “Ethan, come here.”
He stepped closer.
“Yes, Mum?”
“Ethan, remember how I said your dad left? That wasnt true. He was sickhe died before you were born. And this this is your grandmother.”
Marthas heart swelled as she looked at her grandson.
“Grandma,” Ethan said shyly.
“Come here, love,” she murmured, pulling him close.
Emma smiled. “Why not move in with us? Weve got spaceand wed love to have you.”
“No, love. This is my home. But Ill visit often,” Martha promised.
Just then, a knock came.
“Room for one more?” Simon stood in the doorway, holding flowers. “For you, Martha. Fancy a walk?”
“Id love to,” she smiled.
Emma and Ethan peeked out. “Can we come?” they asked together.
“Only if you behave,” Simon joked.
Two months later, Martha became Mrs. Lewis. His dog, Duke, adored his new familyespecially Ethan, whom he trotted beside as Martha baked pies for them all.
