Mom put on a brave face, but I could tell from the tension in her whole body she was hiking down the same road to worry as me.

It was even more impactful since she just came to a panting halt next to me. I barely stood up and took my bearings when Mom came running down the sidewalk in her black silk nightgown and robe, slippered feet slapping on the pavement as she practically flew the block from our house to the center of the park while I stood there and watched ...