My daughter dropped my grandson off with a large bag full of belongings and rushed to catch her flight. Nothing seemed unusual until I opened the bag. Inside were clothes for fall, winter, and spring, along with almost all of the child’s toys and medications. It didn’t look like a bag packed for just two weeks. It almost seemed like she didn’t plan on coming back… I tried calling her repeatedly, but she never answered. In the weeks that followed, I cried every day, worried and confused, until suddenly, I finally received a video call.

I didn’t expect any visitors that day, so when I heard the doorbell ring, I wondered who it might be. To my surprise, I saw my daughter, Jane, and my grandson, Tommy.

“Mom, I need a favor,” she said. “I need you to take care of Tommy for a few weeks. Maybe a bit more than that.”

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When I noticed she carried a huge suitcase, I knew something serious was going on.

Midjourney
Jane wasn’t someone who asked favors lightly, so this was a bit strange. But I didn’t ask any questions. I just gave her a hug and made her promise she would stay safe.

Worry was written all over her face, but when she told me she would be on a work mission, I decided to trust her.

My grandson was a ball of energy. He was lovable, curious, and easy to entertain, so I wasn’t bothered by the fact he would be staying with me for a couple of weeks.

We played games, read stories, and enjoyed his favorite food. At one moment, he spilled the juice all over his t-shirt, so I went upstairs to grab a new one from the suitcase my daughter left.

Ezoic

Midjourney
When I opened it, my heart raced faster than ever. Inside were clothes for all seasons. Jackets and gloves on the top, and then shorts and flip flops underneath. At the bottom, there was an envelope with my name written on it. It was full of cash; more money than I have ever seen in my life.

This only meant one thing, Jane wasn’t coming back any time soon, maybe ever.

I tried to reach her on the phone but failed each time.

Days went by and my grandson started wondering where his mom was.

I contacted her colleagues, her friends, and even her former roommate, but no one heard from Jane. It was as though she vanished into thin air.

Ezoic
Then, one day, my phone rang. It was my daughter asking to speak to my grandson. She avoided answering any of my questions. She just asked from me to trust her and that she would be back. I tell her to promise to me that she would return safe and sound. After she talked to Tommy, she hang up. When I tried to call her back, she didn’t answer.

Jane’s story…

Whenever someone asked about my son’s father, I would say he was the product of a fling that wasn’t meant to last. But the truth was much darker than that.

Ezoic
Tommy’s father was a very dangerous man who was involved with the mafia and some of the most notorious criminals. When I dated him, I had no idea how dangerous he was. Following our split, I never told him I was carrying his child. To be honest, I hadn’t even heard from him until one day when he called and told me he was in town again.

The thought of him learning that he had a son was terrifying all by itself. I knew he would want to take him from me, so I had to hide him.

Ezoic
That’s why I packed all of his clothes and belongings. I even got rid of every photo of him from my house in case Alex appeared out of the blue.

What I knew was that Tommy would be safe with the only person I ever trusted, his grandma.

Ezoic
I prayed Alex leave town as soon as possible, so that I could be with my son again.

When my daughter returned to take my grandson, she looked extremely exhausted.

It was as though she aged in a matter of months. I never questioned her decision, I was just glad she returned safe and sound.