"Mom."
Bertha Haines's nose tingled as she turned to embrace Jerry Moore, crying like a child. Amos Smith had been missing for more than a month now. If he were still alive, why wouldn't he call to say he's safe?
Everyone believed he was likely in grave danger.
Bertha thought the same but kept a light on for him in her heart, hoping it would illuminate his path back home.
Time flew by, sweeping away winter and spring, bringing in the height of summer.
Since Amos Smith disappeared, Bertha hadn't gone back to work, nor did she let the children go to school. She stayed home every day, almost suffocating Bartley and Emma Mu.
She was mainly worried that she and the kids might become Amos's Achilles' heel.
Amos had been missing for over half a year. Kerr said he was still alive but was imprisoned by his biological father.
Perhaps, in a way, this was also a form of protection for him.
