Alex never in his wildest dreams anticipated that his wife would go without a trace. Then, however, his entire world comes crashing down when his kid, who is only five years old and terrified, contacts him at work. A strange message is all that Mara has left behind after she has vanished. A week later, the truth is revealed, which is a secret that she had been keeping hidden the entire time. On the contrary, she desired the entire globe rather than their life together.
It never occurred to me that I would be the kind of man whose wife suddenly disappeared.
On the other hand, it is precisely what took place a week ago. Also, how did I get to know this?
By way of my son, who is five years old.
The day was a Tuesday, the kind of Tuesday that is so mundane and unremarkable that you might easily confuse it with a dozen other Tuesdays. The morning was spent immersed in emails, the afternoon was spent in meetings that followed one another, and in between, I was wondering about what I would eat for evening. My wife prepared the most delicious tacos I’d ever had the pleasure of tasting, and Tuesdays were taco day in our home.
After then, my phone started to ring.
Because I was so engrossed in a spreadsheet, I almost chose to disregard it; but, when I took a quick glimpse at the computer, I stood still.
It’s home.
My spine was tingling with a peculiar discomfort that snuck up on me. Almost never did Mara call me when I was at work. She would simply send a text message whenever she required something.
Please be sure to pick up some milk on your way home, Alex.
Owen has requested pancakes once more; would you be interested in preparing some for tonight?
Very shortly, I responded. Greetings, Mara—”
However, her voice was not heard. It was not so big. Easily broken.
“Daddy?” he asked.
When I stood up, my chair made a scraping sound against the floor. Who is Owen? Hey, buddy, what’s the reason for your call? Is everything in order? How is Mom doing?
The only thing my son said was, “She left.”
I was able to remove the blood from my face. “What are you saying, she disappeared?”
The large bag, which is the one that Milo likes to hide in, as well as some clothing, was taken by her. I felt a very tight hug from her, and she told me that I should wait for you.
There was a muted meow coming from our cat, and I could hear it in the background. I became more firm in my hold on the phone.
Were you able to find out where Mom was going?
It is not. I was just told by her that I ought to act like a mature boy till you arrived home. When he finished speaking, his voice began to waver.
Suddenly, the air in my office had a thick and heavy sensation to it.
“Owen, pay attention to you. Remain inside, all right? No one should be allowed to enter the room. Immediately, I will be returning home.
It was only the hammering in my ears that I recall listening to as I rushed home, gripping the steering wheel so tightly that my hands hurt. I don’t remember turning off my laptop or snatching my keys.
What in the name of Almighty God had Mara done?
Upon arriving at the residence, I threw the front door open with such force that it collided with the wall. The word “Mara!”
None of it.
The atmosphere was… devoid of life. Rather than being empty, it is devoid of something that cannot be seen.
Owen was still wearing his pajamas as he sat wrapped up on the couch, holding his plush dinosaur in his hands. Both of his eyes were widened and had red rims.
Just as soon as he caught sight of me, he rushed into my arms. When he mumbled into my shirt, “Daddy,” he asked, “When is Mommy going to come back?”
While attempting to maintain my composure, I gently stroked his hair. Guy, I’m not sure what to say. Now, however, I am here.”
As I was carrying him into the kitchen to prepare some cocoa, I noticed something: a single white envelope sitting on the counter with my name written in her looping handwriting. I turned around to see what it was.
While I was laying Owen down, I tore it open.
You, Alex
It is no longer possible for me to continue living in this manner. When you finish reading this, I will have already left. It will take a week for you to figure out where I am. Owen needs your attention. Inform him that I adore him. I will never stop loving him.
It is Mara.
I had to read it three times before I finally understood what it meant. I wasn’t the only person she was abandoning; she was also leaving our son.
A fracture appeared somewhere within me.
It was then that I began phoning everyone that came to mind.
Her closest companion? There have been weeks since I last saw her.
Who are her parents? I was told by her that she required some space, Alex. We did not inquire about anything.
Who are her fellow employees? Two weeks ago, Mara handed in her resignation.
Just two weeks ago? This was something that she had been plotting while she was sitting across from me at dinner, when she was tucking Owen in at night, and while she was sitting on the couch giggling at some stupid sitcom.
The night in question, Owen refused to leave my side. Even something as simple as brushing his teeth became a deliberate act of resistance against the anxiety he felt about being left alone.
During supper, he poked his finger into his pasta and asked, “Daddy, is it true that Mom is going to be back?”
“I’m not clear on that, champ. However, I will be looking for her the next day. It is possible for you to spend the day with Grandma.
However, he continued by asking, “Are you going to come back and get me?”
A smirk appeared on my face. “In every case. We are going to grab ice cream after that.”
After hearing it, I couldn’t help but smile. Our father-son ice cream runs had always been our favorite thing to do together.
The next day, I examined the bank account that we share together. It was almost time for her to leave.
While I was in her favorite café, I looked through her social media profiles, only to discover that they had been completely deleted.
At long last, I went to the police station.
Without raising his head from his desk, the officer stated, “Sir, she is an adult.” We have not committed any criminal acts. Leaving your son in a secure environment was her decision.
“She chose to abandon him!” I responded with a shot.
“There is nothing that we can do unless the child is in a dangerous situation with you.”
Yes, that was it. The only thing they had to say was that.
The week seemed to drag on forever, a cloud of unsolved questions and uncomfortable tales told before bedtime. After that, on the seventh day, everything failed to work out as planned.
We were sitting on the couch, and we were half watching cartoons while we shared some takeout. When Owen began to change the channel, he suddenly stopped.
Stage lights that are quite bright. I am holding a microphone. Over her shoulders, her dark hair was falling in a cascade.
It’s Mama! Owen took a breath.
Mara was the one.
The voice of the announcer shouted out loud, “Up next, a woman who has been putting her dreams on hold for years—but tonight, she is going to take her shot!” To Mara, you must give it up!
The audience erupted in applause.
After that, she began to sing.
For seven years, I had lived next to this woman, but I had never heard that voice before; it was deep, raw, and full of life. It was a wild turn of events.
Following the conclusion of the song, a judge leaned forward. Why did you choose to act in this manner at this time, Mara?
It was a smile. For the simple reason that I would never pursue my aspirations if I did not do so today. To be a wife and a mother is one thing, but to watch your hopes come to an end is something else different. I was unable to persist any longer.”
I turned off the television.
It was a low voice that Owen had. “Daddy… what about Mama’s departure?”
For the time being, I was unable to tell him the truth. A kiss was given on the crown of his head. This is because she desired to take flight, friend.
When I had finished tucking him in that evening, my phone began to vibrate. Not known to anyone.
I am aware that you witnessed it.
It’s Mara.
So, why did you choose not to inform me? I gave my response.
To tell you the truth? because you would make an effort to prevent me from doing it.
That was the end of it. It was the truth all along.
She never had a genuine desire for the life that we had created. The entire planet was her goal. Moreover, I would never be sufficient.
Therefore, I did the one thing that she did not anticipate. Then I let her go.
In addition to blocking her number and filing for sole custody, I made a solemn vow to myself: Owen would never have to question whether or not I wanted to be here ever again.
After a few weeks had passed, on a peaceful Saturday morning, Owen sat on the counter while the waffle iron hissed. There was a strong aroma of butter and vanilla in the kitchen.
He said, “Daddy?” as he watched me pour syrup into a bowl. “What should I do?”
“Is it true that Mama is not going to return?”
My chest became more taut. “No, my friend. It’s not true.”
“Have I made a mistake in my actions?”
I firmly responded with “No.” Because she had a dream, she decided to leave. Nevertheless, this does not imply that she did not love you.
Is your love for her still strong?
I was hesitant. “Yes, I am. However, I adore you even more.
Waffle iron made a beeping sound. “Well, let’s go ahead and cover these in chocolate sauce,” she said.
He said with a grin that broke through his expression, “With extra ice cream?”
“With an abundance of everything.”
In that very instant, the kitchen did not have the sensation of being empty anymore.
