Waiting for His Mother

Theo arrives at his empty apartment on Sutton Place, expecting his mother to be there. As the hours pass, she does not return. He calls her cell phone, leaves messages, and watches the news, which reports the death toll from the bombing. He calls the city's emergency number but is told his mother is not on any list. The apartment grows still and lonely, and the reality of her absence begins to sink in. He waits through the night, a growing dread replacing his initial hope.