Chapter 8 - THE FIRST TIME THEY CALLED HER MOMMY
The reunion took place in a quiet room at the hospital.
A child psychologist helped prepare the boys.
We explained that their mother had been away because dangerous people had prevented her from coming home.
We told them she loved them.
We let them ask questions.
And we didn't force affection.
When Sofia entered, she stopped.
Four little boys sat on the carpet.
Luca held a toy truck.
Gabriel was building blocks.
Nico clutched his rabbit.
Mateo held the photograph.
Sofia covered her mouth.
Her knees weakened.
I moved beside her.
“Take your time.”
She nodded.
Mateo noticed her first.
He stared.
Then looked at the photograph.
Then back at her.
“Mommy?”
Sofia began crying.
“Yes, sweetheart.”
Mateo stood.
He approached slowly.
Then held up the photograph.
“Is this you?”
She nodded.
“Yes.”
He studied her.
“Where were you?”
Her face crumpled.
“I was somewhere I couldn't leave.”
Mateo frowned.
“Were you scared?”
She nodded.
“Sometimes.”
He considered.
Then stepped forward.
And hugged her.
Sofia fell to her knees.
She held him.
Then Luca approached.
Then Nico.
Then Gabriel.
Four boys.
Four little arms.
One mother who had waited years to hold them.
I stood near the doorway.
Elena beside me.
She was crying.
I looked at her.
“Thank you.”
She shook her head.
“I only kept my promise.”
I swallowed.
“You saved them.”
Elena looked toward Sofia.
“She saved me too.”
Later, Sofia sat with the boys on the floor.
They asked questions.
So many questions.
“Do you like pancakes?”
“Can you sing?”
“Why is your hair short?”
“Do you know our birthdays?”
Sofia laughed through tears.
“Yes.”
She looked at each of them.
“Every single one.”
Gabriel climbed onto her lap.
“Are you staying?”
Sofia's eyes filled.
“Yes.”
He looked suspicious.
“Forever?”
She kissed his forehead.
“I will do everything I can to stay with you.”
Luca looked at me.
Then at Sofia.
“Are you both our parents?”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
He considered.
“Then why didn't you find us sooner?”
I swallowed.
“Because I didn't know where you were.”
He looked down.
Then whispered:
“Miss Elena found us.”
I nodded.
“She did.”
That evening, Sofia took my hand.
“Alejandro?”
“Yes?”
“Promise me something.”
“Anything.”
She looked toward the boys.
“Don't let them grow up afraid of you.”
My chest tightened.
I nodded.
“I promise.”
And for the first time in five years, I began to understand what kind of man I needed to become.
May you like
Not the man Chicago feared.
The man my children could trust.
