Ten

She refused to go to the graveyard, that would mean accepting she was gone and she couldn't do that, wouldn't do that. Instead Michelle sat in the park opposite the school and waited for John to be let out. It was the third anniversary of Sarah's disappearance. The third anniversary of the day she had been snatched without so much as a ransom note. She was just gone. She'd be ten now, old enough to go to school with John and so when the school bell rang and John came out alone, she struggled to hold back a sob.

"Why are you crying mommy?"

She wiped her eyes and looked down into the innocent face of her son staring up at her, concern dancing in his wide, blue eyes. "It's just because I'm happy to see you. I'm very silly aren't I?"

John nodded and giggled and ran around the park bench. "Can we go to the candy store?"

"We sure can, little man."

Even at the store, John's enthusiasm failed to lift her spirits but she kept up a brave face. For...