Missing

She watched her son Ethan walk up to the ice cream truck, the excitement on his face beaming at the prospect of a cold, sticky popsicle to ease the heat of the midday Texas sun. Ethan stood in line with the other children in the park patiently waiting his turn.

"They grow up so fast, don't they?" said a voice over her shoulder. Kathy turned quickly, startled. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," said the man. He looked about 60-ish, friendly enough, but quiet.

"Oh, that's okay," said Kathy smiling. "Yes, they do grow up fast. He's almost six, and I still can't believe it."

"Yes," mused the man, looking in Ethan's direction. He seemed distracted. Now that she thought about it, something about this man made Kathy feel a little uneasy.

"Here with the grandkids?" she asked trying to be polite.

"No," he replied. Long pause.

"Well, it's a nice day to be out, I suppose." She was really starting to feel uncomfortable now.

The man turned his attention back to her, and a smile slowly spread across his face. "Thank you, ma'am," he said calmly and nodded. Kathy felt a sense of relief as she watched him walk away. That was really weird, she thought.

Brushing a lock of hair away from her face, she turned back toward the ice cream truck and--He was gone! Ethan was gone! She quickly walked toward the truck, her eyes darting from one young face to another. "Ethan! Ethan, where are you?" she called. Panic. Where did he go? Heart starting to pound, mind racing, she tried to find the old man. Could he have...?

"Ethan!" she yelled desperately now. Surely not. But she only looked away for a moment, just an instant. He was right there with the other kids, and now...gone. A sense of dread rumbled in her stomach and helplessness gnawed at her thoughts. The screams and shouts from the playground echoed in her mind, each one grabbing her attention as she tried to track down her son. I should have been watching him. How could I have not been watching? What have I done? Fear soon gave way to anger. If that bastard's got him, I'll tear him apart. Just let him lay one finger on my boy... Kathy blinked away tears that pooled and blurred her vision, her cheeks flushed and hot, her heart beating so loudly as the rest of the world seemed to fall away in silence, leaving her alone and searching.

"Mommy?" came a small voice behind her. Spinning around, Kathy fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around the little boy. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks. "What's the matter, Mommy?" Ethan asked.

"I was so worried. Where were you?"

"Behind that tree. The sun was hot, and I was waiting my turn to get a popsicle. Mommy?"

"Yes, son?"

"Why are you crying?"

Kathy closed her eyes and smiled. So innocent. He had no idea what had just happened or that his mother's whole world had come to a screeching halt for the longest thirty seconds of her life. Relief poured through her as she regained her composure. When she opened them again, she said, "I've got my little boy back, that's all." She ruffled his hair. "Now go and play."