This is where it all begins

We all have to go through difficult times in life and that is inevitable. Mine was starting on that fateful day. I was in high school when the director himself came into my class to tell me that he had something urgent to say to me in private, so I followed him into his office. I was a little nervous obviously, who wouldn't be when the high school's director himself calls you into his office.

"Is everything okay Director?" , I asked.

"Blake! You have always been an excellent student and a role model for all since you arrived at this high school. It is with a heavy heart that I must now announce this terrible news about your mother," he replied with a sad look on his face.

"Yes, what about my mother?", I asked, a bit confused.

"The hospital called, they said that your mother was unwell and unfortunately they could not save her. She died Blake, I am sorry. Please accept my deepest condolences", he told me with an even more sad look on his face.

I froze for a while trying to process what he had just said: "she died Blake", those words kept ringing in my head over and over.

The principal had offered to drive me to the hospital so I could see her and as soon as I got out of his office, the school secretary hugged me and also offered her condolences.

Sad looks appeared on everyone's face, whether they were students or teachers and whether they knew me or not.

Once they arrived at the hospital, the director quickly explained the situation to the nurse who was at reception. The nurse then called someone and a few minutes later a doctor came to see us, he offered his condolences quickly and explained to us that my mother had high blood pressure and then she had felt unwell and convulsed but that unfortunately help did not arrive in time and it was already too late when they arrived at the hospital.

Another nurse then led us to the morgue where they had put her.

The manager let me in alone because he thought I would definitely like to spend some alone time with her. I walked in and there she was, lying on that table, I could only see her face because the rest of her body was covered by a white blanket. Her face was pale, her eyes still had dark circles, her lips were a little purplish. I took her hand, it was cold as ice, I knelt down and cried. It all still felt surreal, she was perfectly fine this morning, prepared breakfast for both of us before she left for work still full of warmth. But now she was lying here lifelessly and full of coldness.

After 20 minutes, I left the morgue with red eyes, the director said nothing and we just went to the reception. There he explained to me that he was going to take care of the funeral for me and asked me if I had any family to call. I answered him no, my mother was the only family I had, he then offered to sleep with them in case I didn't want to go home but on the contrary, I wanted to go home. Home was the only place where I can feel her last moments. Driving me right outside my house, the director told me he would pick me up here tomorrow for the funeral.

The town where my mom and I were living was small, everyone knows everyone and news travel fast especially bad news, so practically everyone knew about my mother.

"Hansen?!" our landlady, a deplorable, mean old lady who lived with her 18 cats, called as I walked up the stairs to our apartment.

"I'm sorry for what happened to your mother but how are you going to pay your late rent now?" , she added.

Obviously I didn't listen to her and continued on my way. I opened the door to our apartment but it was empty, lifeless, without any noise. Normally when I came home from high school like that I always saw my mother in this kitchen where she was cooking our dinner and it could be felt even on the stairs. But there I felt nothing at all and without realizing I felt hot tears running down my cheeks. I spent the whole night crying on my bed until I fell asleep.

The same day at Northview

In Frank Campbell's office, someone knocked on the door

" Come in " , Frank replied with a tired voice.

" Boss, we finally found her " , a man with a black suit said.

" Are you sure it's her this time ? " , Frank asked, his head still plunged into the pile of documents that was in front of him.

" Yes, Boss. It's her without any doubt " , the man replied.

" How is she doing ? " , Frank asked, curious, now waiting for the man to reply.

The man gulped hard before saying : " Unfortunately Boss, she died today"

" What ?! " , Frank said, shocked.

" Yes, the embassy has requested repatriation for her body, that's how we found her. But she will be buried tomorrow" , the man explained to him.

Frank sighed and then rubbed his face, " was she alone or did she have someone in her life ? " , he asked, even more curious.

" She left a 17 years-old son behind her, Blake Hansen " , the man told him.

Frank's eyes were immediately wide open after the word "son".

" What will happen to her child now ? " , Frank asked.

" She was the only family he had so I guess now they'll put the child in an orphanage " , the man said.

" Prepare the jet now, we will leave in a few hours and there is no need to inform my wife about this trip nor about her or the child " , Frank ordered. The man obeyed and then left his office.

The next morning, I didn't have any energy to get out of the bed, so I just layed there. I had cried so much last night that there weren't even any tears flowing from my eyes. But about two hours later, I got up from the bed anyway and got dressed to say my last goodbye to her.

The whole town had come to my mother's funeral. because she was rather known in town thanks to her talents as a pastry chef and cook. Everyone passed one by one to offer their condolences, the director and his wife were kind enough to stay by my side during all the funerals. They wanted to wait for me to take me home after the funeral but I told them that was not necessary and that I still needed to say goodbye to my mother alone; so, there was only me left in the cemetery.

" I can't believe that you are really gone mom. You were the only person I had mom. Please don't abandon me. I'm nothing without you, nothing at all " , I said, sobbing and standing just in front of her grave.

But then a man with a black suit and black sunglasses approached me and said : " are you Mr. Blake Hansen ? "

" Who is asking ? " , I replied coldly.

" There is someone here who is impatient to meet you. Please follow me this way " , the man told him.

" Are you kidding me ? Don't you see that I am a bit busy there. Can't you see that I'm mourning my mother here. Tell this someone that I don't want to see them" , Blake told him coldly and then the man left.

A few minutes later, another man with a black suit approached him but this time he was a bit older than the previous one and was elegantly dressed with some gray hair.

" What again ? ", Blake said, pissed and before he could say anything.

" Good morning Blake ! First of all, let me apologize for the lack of tact of my bodyguard earlier. Second of all, I want to send you my most sincere condolences. I have known your mother for a long time now and also long before you were born " , Frank told him.

" And may I know who you are ? And how do you know my mother ? " , Blake asked.

" Oh, right ! Excuse-me, I should have introduced myself much sooner. My name is Frank Campbell and I'm your father Blake " , Frank told him.