Page 1 of The Prodigal

Remington

Five years ago.

Her face is ashen as she struggles to breathe, her chest rising faster. “You aren’t who he says you are,” Mom assures me, easing the white stone into my open palm. “It’s time, my love.”

I close my hand around the stone, its weight carrying a freedom I never imagined I would have.

“You remember what I said about the white stone, right?”

I nod, fighting to keep my emotions in check. “A new name.”

She smiles, finishing the quote like she always has, “One only you will know.”

I never understood the meaning of these words she started whispering in our nightly bedtime story several years ago. I only knew that I wasn’t ready for a new name.

Not until now.

“You are strong, my love. You can do this. You can be victorious. Find your name, and never look back.” Her hand feels cool as she squeezes mine weakly. “There’s cash under my bed.”

“No,” I beg, “I won’t leave you here—not alone with him.”

The smile I’ve known for years emerges, offering me the strength I need. “Youwillleave me,” she demands, “and you will run far away. Pay cash at motels off the highways—the ones that won’t ask for ID.”

She reaches up and strokes my face with the back of her hand. “You must never let him find you.”

“I can’t. I don’t feel—”

She presses a kiss to my hand. “You are healthy, my love. Stronger than any boy I’ve ever known. I failed you. I didn’t protect you like I promised.”

“You did protect me,” I argue.

“Not likeshewould have.”

I can feel a tear drop down my cheek. “I don’twantto leave you.”

“Nor I you.” She gasps. “But, I promise, we’ll meet again.”

I can tell she’s lying, but maybe that’s just the panic setting in. “I don’t want to be alone.”

“You won’t be, my darling. Run until you findhome.”

“How will I know where that is?” I choke as raw and overwhelming emotion clogs my throat. “How will I know when I findhome?”

“You’ll know,” she wheezes, “you’ve found it when you find peace.”

Peace? What is peace?

But I never get to ask her.

Cradled in my arms, my adoptive mother takes her final breath, setting me free for the first time in my life.

But I’d soon learn freedom didn’t equal peace.

As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t find the peace she spoke of until years later.

After it was too late.

After I had a new name.

---