Alex turned the moment he heard that unmistakable voice and felt the familiar touch on his arm. The smile appeared before he even saw her face.

“Mom...” he said, pulling her into a tight embrace. “You said you wouldn’t be here for another week. How was the flight?”

Savana returned the hug with equal warmth. Then she cupped her son’s face in both hands, as if she needed to reassure herself that he was really standing there.

“The flight was fine, and I wanted to surprise you,” she replied with a