This, That, and the Other

Sharon was a mess. After the car accident, her doctor prescribed oxycodone for the pain. It worked and she was able to return to work and still balance being a good wife to Derrick and mother to Kevin. But the cost of being pain free and of carrying out her other job and family responsibilities grew when she needed larger doses and quantities of oxy to manage her back pain.

She lost her job because she was out sick so often and that meant she lost her health insurance to pay for oxycodone. But she needed it for her pain. It consumed her and due to her actions and addiction, Derrick left her and got custody of their four year old son.

Sharon hit rock bottom. She was homeless, living on the streets, selling herself for money to buy oxy from dealers. She was arrested for prostitution, sent to jail, and begged to be moved to a rehabilitation facility. She got in and spent the past two very hard years getting herself together. She’d been straight and oxy-free for nine months when she reached out to Derrick to plead with him to let her see her eight year old boy, who she hadn’t seen in four years. Derrick acquiesced and she was granted a one hour visit.

The day of the reunion with her son finally arrived. Sharon was waiting in the local park when she saw Derrick walking toward her with Kevin in hand. Will he recognize me? Will he even remember me? Sharon wondered. Four years is half the life of her little boy.

Derrick and Kevin stopped about 20 yards up the path from where Sharon was standing. He pointed to Sharon and gave his son a slight push. Kevin looked back at his father. Derrick nodded, said “Go on, son, it’s okay.”

Kevin slowly walked toward the woman. As he got closer, Sharon kneeled down on her knees and spread her arms wide. Kevin stopped a few feet in front of her. Tears started flowing from Sharon’s eyes. Kevin’s head cocked to one side. Then he moved closer and said, “Don’t cry.” He walked right up to her, put his hands on both sides of her face, and said, “I missed you, Mommy.”

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Written for Sadje’s What Do You See prompt. Photo credit: Alisa Dyson @ Pixaby.