Sue was left in a cardboard box as a small child. Luckily, a store clerk took her home and changed the course of her entire life. Now, in the form of an unexpected knock at the door, Sue has to face her past and the disappointment that comes with it. Is this a grand reunion or the biggest disappointment of Sue’s life?
I was left in a cardboard box in a supermarket twenty years ago. I was just a few months old, and all I had to my name were a few photos of my mother and a note.
The note read: I will always love you, Sue.
Nobody knew my surname or whether I had a middle name. Nobody seemed to know my mother or what had happened to my father. I was all alone in a world that didn’t know anything about me.
But even then, at a few months old, I seemed to be fortune’s fool. I was found by a kind store clerk, Ruby, who took me in.
“I couldn’t leave you there, Sue,” she would say whenever the story came up. “I became your guardian shortly after and raised you as my own. You became my little bug.”
Ruby was everything to me. And as I grew, the closer we became.
I was forever grateful that she gave me everything I needed. But still, I never stopped wondering why my mother left me and if she would ever come back.
“I know that it bothers you, darling,” Ruby told me one day as she made lasagna for dinner. “But she’s an enigma now. We have nothing that could lead us to her.”
“I know,” I said, grating more cheese for when the dish was ready. “It’s just frustrating when I start thinking about it.”
“You love the internet, you love social media, Sue. Use it, share your story, maybe it will resonate with people, and you can connect with others just like you.”
She opened the oven and put the tray of lasagna inside.
So I did just that, and I became a well-known video blogger, sharing my story with the world.
“You’ve created a safe platform for people to share their stories, too,” Ruby told me when I read comments from my latest video to her.
“It means something to me,” I said, helping myself to the eclairs on the table.
Fast forward to the present. I am successful and able to provide for myself and my guardian.
“So much for being an abandoned baby,” I said to myself as I washed my face one night.
But imagine my surprise when an unexpected knock on my door changed everything.
I opened the door to find a frail, older woman standing there, her eyes filled with regret and desperation.
“Sue, darling,” she said. “I am your mother, and I need your help!”
I just looked at her, unable to blink for fear of missing the moment.
“Do you still have the note I left with you when I left you safely in the store?”
Safely? I thought to myself. I stood there, paralyzed by the flood of emotions that had come in when she entered my home.
“Yes, I have it,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I kept it.”
“I know I have no right to ask for your help after what I did, but I need you to believe me when I say I had no choice back then. I was running from a dangerous situation. And I thought leaving you in a safe place was the only way to protect you. I needed to disappear.”
My Parents Didn’t Show up for My School Graduation
A few years ago, I graduated from school, a day I was incredibly proud of. I was excited to share this milestone with my family, especially my parents. However, their absence has haunted me ever since.
At the ceremony, I kept scanning the crowd for my mom and stepdad, convinced they were just running late. As names were called, I glanced around anxiously. Finally, it was my turn. I walked up to the stage, took my diploma, and forced a smile for the camera, still hoping to see them. But they never showed.
After the ceremony, I checked my phone and saw a message from my mom: “Sorry, we couldn’t make it. Something came up with your stepsister. We’ll celebrate later. Congrats!” I was devastated. Iris, my stepsister, had once again taken priority over me.
Justin, my prom date, and his family stepped in, showing me the support I desperately needed. Later, at home, I confronted my parents. My mom told me Iris had thrown a tantrum over a broken nail, and they had taken her to the salon. I couldn’t believe it. I packed my bags and left, staying with Justin’s family, who welcomed me.
Years later, I gave my parents another chance at my college graduation. But again, they didn’t show up. This time, it was because Iris had a pregnancy craving, and they got stuck in traffic while getting her cake. I realized nothing had changed. Justin found me afterward, and his support helped me get through it.
Looking back, I’ve learned that even when people let you down, their actions don’t define your worth. With Justin by my side, I know I can face any challenge.
Leave a Reply