WHERE'S MY SON? by John C. Dalglish

front door to make sure it was clear, he slipped out, leaving it unlocked behind him.
     
    *******
     
    Katie Duncan parked her car in front of the grocery store.
    “Come on boys, we just need to pick up a few things before going home.”
    She watched them take off their seat belts and put their backpacks on the floor. She’d just picked them up from school and they weren't happy about having to stop on the way home. “Jack, take Jesse's hand.”
    He rolled his eyes. “I know, Mom. I always do.”
    She smiled to herself. He’s too young to be doing that already.
    Jack was used to watching over his little brother, he’d been doing it all his life, but she always reminded him anyway. Jack rarely put up a fuss. He and Jesse were best buddies.
    Jack stood a head taller than Jesse and had jet-black hair, which was wavy to the point of being wild. With green eyes and broad shoulders, he was handsome in a Tom Cruise kind of way. Add in the attitude of a big brother, and you had Jack.
    Jesse, on the other hand , has his dad’s straight brown hair and brown eyes. Small for his age, he was in perpetual motion. Jesse inherited Wade's big smile, and it never seemed to leave his face. “Will we still get our ice cream, Mom?”
    Katie was well aware this was the reason for their impatience. Every day after school, she let them go to the end of the block to meet the ice cream truck.
    “If we're quick, I think we can make it home in time.”
    Jesse flashed a big smile, but Jack managed to look skeptical. They hurried down several aisles, Jesse dragging Jack, until they had collected the few things she needed for dinner.
    Heading for the ‘twenty items or less’ aisle, Katie nearly collided with another cart. “Oh, I'm sorry!” She looked up to see a man smiling at her.
    “It's fine. Please, go ahead.”
    “You sure?”
    The man tipped his head toward the boys. “I'm sure, no problem. I'm in no hurry. Besides, it looks like you've got your hands full.”
    She smiled. “They keep me young, that's for sure.”
    “I bet . What are they, six and ten?”
    Katie load ed her stuff on the counter, talking back over her shoulder. “Jesse is seven and Jack is ten. Say hi, boys.”
    The man lo oked at the two boys. “Can you guys shake?”
    He put his hand out. “My name is Michael.”
    Jack extended his hand and Michael took it. A little of Michael's smile disappeared.
    “I'm Jack , and this is my brother, Jesse.”
    “Nice to meet you, boys .”
    Katie finished paying. “Come on boys, let's go.”
    Michael let go of Jack's hand , and Katie waved a goodbye. They headed for the car, trying to make it home in time for the ice cream truck.
     
    *******
     
    Michael watched them walk away, trying to gather himself.
    “Can I help you, sir?”
    Michael turned to see the clerk looking at him. “Yes…no…I changed my mind.” Michael left his cart and went to his car.
    He sat there, trembling. Pain mixed with the anger caused his body to vibrate. It took more than ten minutes before he calmed down enough to drive himself back to the motel.
    The whole way, Michael relived the moment he held his son's hand. Over and over, he felt the touch of his son. He wanted that again. He wanted to be hugged, and to be called ‘Dad.’
    And he felt the darkness taking control.
     
    *******
     
    Katie pulled in to the driveway just as the ice cream truck was coming to a stop at the end of the block. She gave Jack a dollar for him and Jesse to get a treat, and they were off.
    Katie gathered the two sacks of groceries, and went to unlock the door. It opened without her turning the key, and she was immediately alarmed. “Hello? Anyone here?”
    There was no response , so she moved to the kitchen. Everything looked in place. She set the bags down and called her mom.
    “Hello ?”
    “Hi , Mom. It's me. Didn't you say you’d lock up when you left?”
    “ Yes, and I did. Why?”
    Katie tried to hide the worry in her voice. “Well, I just got home,