"Alex, while we're still young and can get around, your dad and I talked it over—we're going to travel for a while. Not sure when we'll be back. What I promised you might have to wait. Hang in there on your own for now."
My hand holding my son went stiff.
I opened my cousin Vivian James's account. Sure enough, she'd posted an update.
In the video, Mom's aged figure bustled around in the kitchen while Vivian cradled a newborn in her arms.
Caption: "A kid with a mom is a treasure. Thanks to Mom for helping me lighten the load. Love you for ten thousand years!"
1.
I stared at those words, reading them over and over.
It wasn't until my son started wailing from hunger that I snapped out of it.
The water and electricity had been cut off. I couldn't even mix formula.
I called Mom. The phone rang for ten minutes before she picked up, sounding harried.
"Hello? Alex? What's wrong? Why are you calling now? I'm busy."
I took a deep breath. "Mom, what did you mean by that message?"
"Didn't we agree three days ago? When I got discharged, I'd hand the baby to you and go back to work. You suddenly changed your mind—what am I supposed to do? The company's waiting for me to chair a meeting!"