**Diary Entry 12th October**
This morning, I found a phone in the park while sweeping the paths. Turning it on, I nearly dropped it in shock.
Id left for work earlier than usualfour in the morningknowing the weekends always left a mess. Ive been a cleaner for years now, though life wasnt always like this.
Gripping my broom, I thought of my son, Thomas. Id had him at thirty-five, raising him alone after my luck with men ran dry. He was clever, handsome, everything a mother could want. Only thing that worried me was how much he hated our neighbourhood.
*Mum, when I grow up, Ill make something of myself,* hed say.
*Course you will, love,* Id reply, smoothing his hair.
At sixteen, he left for a college dorm. Promised hed visit often. And he didat first. Then he met a girl, and home became an afterthought. Until the day he returned for good, pale and trembling, telling me he was dying. I couldnt fathom why life had dealt us such a cruel hand.
I sold our flat to pay for his treatment. But one night, the hospital rang. *Your sons gone.*
After that, I barely lived. Just existed.
This morning, as I swept, old Mr. Henderson walked by with his terrier.
*Morning, Martha,* he called.
*Youre up early,* I said.
*Ah, the house gets lonely. Thought Id stretch my legs.* He lingered a moment, then moved on.
Thats when I spotted the phone on the bench. No one around. I switched it onphotos flooded the screen. Then my breath caught. There he wasmy Thomas.
It rang before I could think. A womans voice: *Hello? Thats my phonecan I get it back?*
*Yes,* I managed. *Found it in the park. Come to this address.*
When she arrived, a lad stood behind her.
*Whered you get these photos of my son?* I asked.
*Toms?* She blinked.
The boy stepped forward.
*Tom!* I gaspedthen blacked out.
I came to with doctors fussing. Later, the girlJessicaexplained.
*We dated. He left when I told him I was pregnant.*
*No,* I whispered. *He was ill. Didnt want to burden you.*
Her face crumpled. *Hes gone?*
I nodded.
Then she called the boy over. *Ethan, come here.*
*Yes, Mum?*
*Your dad didnt abandon us. He was sick. And thisthis is your grandma.*
My heart swelled as Ethan shyly hugged me.
*Move in with us,* Jessica urged.
*Ill visit,* I said, smiling.
Then a knockMr. Henderson, holding flowers. *Fancy a walk?*
Jessica and Ethan peered round the kitchen door. *Can we come?*
*If you behave,* he chuckled.
Two months on, were married. His terrier, Rex, adores Ethan, and I bake pies for them all. Funny how life mends itself when you least expect it.
**Lesson learned: Even the deepest loss can leave room for new beginnings.**
