He explained that he had left his car in a parking lot and taken a bus to stay with a friend. What he had intended as a short escape became something much bigger.
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When people began searching for him, he panicked. He moved to another state, found work, and gradually built a life far away from home.Browse Reference
He replaced his phone but never gave me the new number.
Months turned into years.
He knew I was looking for him, but he kept convincing himself that calling me would only make things worse.
“I was ashamed,” he admitted. “And the longer I stayed away, the harder it became to come back.”
I wiped my eyes.
“I searched everywhere for you, Lucas. You knew that.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
I wanted to be angry. Part of me was furious that he had allowed me to suffer for three years when one phone call could have told me he was alive.
