PART 2: The Photograph

The boy looked up at her slowly.

"My mom."

The woman's heart skipped a beat.

"Your mother gave you this?"

The boy nodded.

Tears filled his eyes.

"Before she died."

The wedding guests fell silent.

Even the waiter who had slapped the bread away stood frozen.

The woman stared at the photo.

Twenty years ago.

A hospital room.

A newborn baby in her arms.

A baby she had been told died only hours after birth.

Her hands began to tremble.

"What was your mother's name?" she asked.

"Sarah."

The woman nearly collapsed.

Sarah.

Her former roommate.

The only person who had stayed by her side during the most difficult time of her life.

The boy reached into his pocket again.

This time he pulled out a faded envelope.

"My mom told me to give you this if I ever found you."

The woman carefully opened it.

Inside was a letter.

As she began reading, tears streamed down her face.

Dear Emma,

If you're reading this, I am probably gone.

There is something you were never told.

Your baby didn't die.

Someone paid the hospital administrator to fake the records.

Your son was taken away.

I spent years trying to find him.

Three months ago, I finally did.

The little boy standing in front of you...

is your son.

The ballroom gasped.

The letter slipped from Emma's fingers.

She looked at the child.

Then at the photo.

Then back at the child.

Her voice broke.

"My son?"

The little boy stared at her.

Confused.

Hopeful.

Terrified.

Then Emma dropped to her knees.

And wrapped her arms around him.

For the first time in his life...

the boy felt what it was like to be held by his mother.