"Mama?"

The lady looked at her six year old son. "Yes dear?"
The little boy grabbed her hand. "Where are you going? It's 7 pm."
She smiled and picked him up in a cradle. With his small stature it was like carrying a toddler.
"I won't be far, I just need to do some late grocery shopping for tomorrow's breakfast."
Her son grumbled and snuggled against her.
"Are you going to be gone for long?"
She patted his head.
"One hour, max."
"Okay..."

She set the boy back down and planted a kiss on his head. "You can watch TV while I'm gone, there might be something you enjoy."
The boy smiled at her.
"Okay Mama! I love you!"
The woman smiled and waved as she left for the door. "I love you too, Sunshine!"

________

The ticking of the clock was the only sound besides the TV.

It was 9 pm.

The boy still sat on the couch with his plushie. He already ate some leftovers from lunch for dinner and just waited for his parents to come home. Maybe his mom went to visit his dad during his last shift. The TV showed some news report of an accident. The boy didn't understand all the words that were said, he was trying to make out what was supposed to be shown on the TV. A car was a wreck, a nearby lamppost was knocked over. Maybe the car hit the lamppost and then crashed into the wall?

His attention shifted when the door opened. He got off the couch and ran up to his dad, hugging his leg, who just greeted him with a pat on the head.

"Papa, do you know where Mama is?"

His dad stayed silent and went to the kitchen to place the groceries down.
The boy followed him.
"Where's Mama?-"

"Mama is gone."

He looked up at his dad. "Gone?"

"Gone, away, Mama left us."

He stared at his dad. She left them? "W-what?.."

The man rubbed his face and sighed. "You'll understand one day. Did you already eat?"

The boy nodded.

"Right. Go to your room, you have school tomorrow."
The little boy nodded again and walked away.
"Good night Papa.."

"Goodnight Xavier."

Xavier went to his room and flopped onto his bed. He looked at the star plushie in his arms.
"Jax, do you know where Mama is?"
The plushie was silent, like any other object. He hugged it.
"I don't know either. Do you think she really did leave us? It doesn't sound like her..."

______

News at 9 pm.
"A car crash in front of the central mall resulted in the death of a pedestrian and the driver, likely caused by speeding and losing control over the car. The pedestrian was brought to the hospital with heavy injuries, but passed away in the ambulance. She was identified as Katherine Plode, a mother of a young boy."