She took one last drag of the half-smoked cigarette before dropping it with the others marred with her cherry colored lipstick. She watched the small trail of the gray tail inch its way back towards her until it was at waist level. With a quiet grace, she mashed its owner flat into the concrete before digging into her purse for a harsh mint to mask the odor that lingered on her breath.

She flicked her wrist over to check the time once more. Two forty-five. She flopped down on the bench. She tried to force her brain to enjoy the beauty of the crisp fall day. Trying to get lost in the last songs the birds were performing before disappearing for winter solace. 

Her mind refused to go along with this train of thought. Instead it wanted to play the “What if…” game. “What if he didn’t like her? What if he turned around and walked away?” Her mind whispered like a bad recording. It had been years since they had seen each other. She could be nothing more than a bad dream best forgotten. 

Her eyes fell on the exit just to her right. She could slip out. There was still enough time. He would never know she had even been there. It might would hurt him a little for a short time but it would be easier to get over than the long-term damage she could cause in the future. She was a waste of space. Isn’t that what everyone had said about her all those years ago? It didn’t matter that she had money now did it?

Inspite where her thoughts were going she could not force herself to move from that bench. Something deeper held her there. Love. That love did not fade in time. Just continue too grow until it consumes the core of who you are. Neither time nor distant could change that feeling. Regardless of what others might have tried to convince her in the past. They had a bond that surpassed time.

She knew when he arrived. She felt his presents before seeing him. Her head turned to her left. Her eyes fell on him. Drinking in his shocking red hair that was neatly cut. Her heart jumped at the sight of him standing tall and with a purpose. She knew without him even being close that his eyes were still as blue as the first time she had stared into them. They were soft and could see through her soul. Could he see the person she truly was? She hoped so with all her heart.

She knew it would not be like one of those talk shows. Things would not just have a happy ending like a fairy tale. It would take work. She knew as he came closer that she was willing to do whatever to get back to where they use to be before others who had no right to interfere forced them apart.

She scampered to her feet just as he and the woman with him arrived face to face with her. For a moment no words were spoken. They just looked each other over. Then she kneeled down to his level and as one would do with a skittish stray, she slowly allowed her gloved hand to inch towards his freckled cheek that looked so much like hers. He did not pull away. Just gave her a shy smile that ten year olds held in reserve for unsure moments such as this one. She knew they would be okay. No one could break the bond between a mother and her son.