Bruno
I park just a few yards from Ben's house; I don't want to be seen yet. I need my time, observing my surroundings is essential, but Ben shouting behind me makes it impossible.
“I think we need to hurry,” says Sarah, indicating movement at the entrance to the house.
I recognize Ben's father from the pictures I found online; he has gray hair around his face, but the rest is dark, blue eyes and a skinny body, he is honestly very similar to the boy. The man is stacking boxes inside a U-Haul truck.
It looks like we're too late, or maybe in the exact time.
A woman, Ben’s mother, is watching her life fall apart from the door. Her arms crossed, she still has her pajamas on and no make-up.
I get out of the car and walk towards them.
“Let me help you with that.” I tell him.
He tries to lift a big box, so I help him drag it into the truck.
“Oh, thanks man, I was trying not to look so weak in front of my wife.”
I look back at her, “I’m Bruno,” we shake tightly our hands.
“I'm Logan,” his grip is strong and firm, I like it.
“Logan? Is everything okay?” I hear his wife ask. She walks towards us, curious about my presence.
The woman is Madison, his wife for ten years; her blonde hair is badly pulled up, there are dark circles under her eyes, endless nights with no sleep I assume.
“Oh yeah, honey, this is Bruno. He was just helping me carry the boxes up.” I can feel his nerves for calling her ‘honey.’
It hurts me to see the pain they are going through; I can't imagine l anything more terrifying than losing Sarah for good.
“Actually, ma'am, I'm here looking for both of you.”
Logan is on alert, placing himself next to his wife, I like his concern.
“Excuse me, do I know you?” she asks.
“No, but, I bring you good news...”
Both of them are watching me attentively.
I know what is going on in their minds. Is this about Ben? Who is this guy? But they will probably have discarded that idea because of the lack of probability that a man without uniform or patch will show up at the door of their house and return their lost son.
“Mom!”
The mother's wide-open eyes dart behind me. Her shaking body fall to the ground; she holds the grass between her fingers tightly.
The father falls beside her, holding her.
Ben runs in small unsynchronized steps towards them and as soon as he reaches their side, he collapses into those familiar arms.
The mother cries, laughs and squeezes him against her body, trying to give him the protection she hadn't been able to give him before.
The father, still in shock, until his son throws himself at him; at first he studies him as if his son were an optical illusion, like the million he had seen before, but slowly he comes to his senses, welcoming his son.
I can feel Sarah is behind me. Her hands try to hide a red wet face. I drag her into my arms and kiss Sarah’s head; we both need comfort.
I personally feel overwhelmed, I can see how life returns to the eyes of these two parents, they embrace each other while they cry and celebrate the reunion; it is a great satisfaction to be able to witness this moment.
