An Empty Nest

​Children gathered, giggling as they pursued each other around the colorful sculptures. The sound, which would otherwise spark joy, exacerbated her terror. 
 
“Xay? Xay? Xavier?!” Her cries elevated to screams dissipating into the sounds of children’s laughter and the adult crowd’s hums. 

Earlier that morning, something inside her wouldn’t let her rest, but she wouldn’t dare risk changing plans so last minute. Xavier had always been such a patient child, and she knew he deserved more clarity than what she could give. Growing more aware of her instability as he matured, he never so much as looked at her with prying eyes. Suppressing the natural urge to question her inconsistent presence, Xavier spoke to her sweetly, detecting her fragility even in his few years. 
 
For his birthday that year, he didn’t dredge up memories of years past when she’d forgotten to call, he simply asked to visit the fountain. But after a futile, frantic search around the crimson sculpture, she got the feeling that she was about to let him down again.

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