I’m Arlene, a 38-year-old mother of Leo and wife to Brandon, and I adore my life in both roles. My family means a lot to me. People assume I’m kidding when I tell them Brandon wasn’t my high school love. Why? due to the connection we have. The reality is that I got to know Brandon at work, and we quickly found that we had a lot in common. We chose to tie the knot after realising after a few months together that we were destined to be together. My best life decision was to marry him.Brandon once said to me, “Arlene, you’re so different from all the other girls I’ve known,” as he stared directly into my eyes. You understand me better than anyone else and are amusing and intelligent.” I responded, “And you’re the only one who laughs at my terrible puns, so I guess we’re stuck with each other.” But let’s put our love tale on hold for a later date. After two years, we welcomed Leo into the world as our son.The first time I had him in my arms, I had an emotion I can never quite put into words. I was ecstatic. I had never experienced such unadulterated joy and affection. That day, it felt like my heart expanded tenfold.Leo’s birth delighted Martha, my mother-in-law as well. She made sure Leo knew that he was her first grandson.She used to send him a gift once a week—I’m not kidding! Who, after all, does that? Sincerely, I thought it was a little excessive, so I chose to discuss it with her. I didn’t want to upset her, but after finding out about my emotions, she wasn’t too pleased. “Martha, I appreciate your love for Leo, but don’t you think all these gifts might spoil him?” I enquired.Martha shot back, “What nonsense! This is my method of expressing my love to him as my grandchild. While you worry about raising him, let me to indulge him somewhat.” Martha and I disagreed with one other on several matters pertaining to Leo. For instance, when she insisted on letting him watch fireworks on a school night after midnight. I countered, “Martha, he has school tomorrow.”She shot out, “Oh, Arlene, lighten up.” “It won’t harm to stay up late once. Give the boy a brief respite.” I knew that, in spite of our disputes, Martha cherished Leo. I gave in to Leo’s plea to stay at his grandmother’s place during his school break. I told him, “Leo, promise me you’ll be on your best behaviour with Grandma,” while I was packing his luggage. He answered, his eyes glimmering with anticipation, “I swear, Mom! We will be having a great time!” I took Leo to the other city where Martha resides. I experienced a range of feelings as we approached her home. Leo’s delight made me pleased, but I was also a little nervous about our separation. It was my first time letting him stay at Martha’s.“Grandma will drop you back in two weeks, okay?” As we emptied his baggage, I said.Leo’s expression brightened. “Oh, for two weeks? That is scheduled for a Saturday, right? Your birthday? I nodded and grinned. That’s correct, my dear. I’ll have my birthday celebration, and Grandma will bring you back.”We said our goodbyes, and I was excited to get home and spend some peaceful time. But the thought of my baby being gone made me a little depressed. I told myself, ‘You can always phone him, Arlene. He will be alright. He’s matured into a man now. I had no idea that two weeks later, my worst nightmares would materialise. As I cleaned the house and took some time for myself, time passed quickly. And then my birthday morning came around. My cell phone rang while I was getting ready. Though the number was unknown, I assumed it might be someone wishing me a happy birthday. “Hello?” was my enthusiastic response.The next thing I heard chilled my blood. It was the frightened, quivering voice of my son: “MOM, PLEASE come to my aid! I’m terrified! I’M ALONG WITH A MAN IN SOME DARK PLACE AND…”Abruptly, the call ended. Greetings? Leo? Leo?” I yelled into the receiver. The phone was off when I tried to call back. Oh no, no, no, my thoughts went through. Tell me if I’m dreaming, please. Tell me, please, that this is a nightmare. Imaginations of terrible things happened to me. How is this possible to occur? With Martha, wasn’t he supposed to be safe? When I tried to phone her, nobody picked up. I grabbed my keys and ran out the door, not giving the visitors who were meant to be over a second thought. I hurriedly got into my car and drove to Martha’s house, trembling all over the steering wheel.As I raced down the highway, I kept trying Martha’s number, but she never returned my calls. At last, I gave Brandon a call. “Brandon,” I stumbled to say after he replied, “Leo’s had an incident. He sounded so nervous when he called me. Brandon responded, “Slow down, Arlene, slow down.” “What did he tell you?” “He said he was in a dark place with a man,” I was crying. “I tried to call your mother, but she didn’t pick up.” I’m headed over to her house. I’m not sure what’s going on. “Oh my…” Shock and fear permeated Brandon’s voice. “I’m about to leave work. Alright, let’s meet at Mom’s house. Arlene, try to remain composed. Drive carefully. We will resolve this.”Even though the two-hour car excursion was meant to be over, it seemed like an eternity. It was the longest two hours of my life, and I will never forget the sense of terror that engulfed me at that moment. I finally stopped in front of Martha’s house with a yell. Unbelievably silent. I approached to the door with my heart hammering against my chest. I was shocked to see it unlocked. I opened it by pushing. “Leo? Martha?” I yelled. Stillness. When I hurried inside and turned on the lights, nobody was there. All I could find on the kitchen island was a piece of folded paper. I lifted it up, hands shaking. The two words printed on it, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” caused my eyes to enlarge.All of a sudden, individuals were streaming out of the house’s corners. Leo, Brandon, Martha, my family, and friends. They all yelled, “A surprise! Arlene, happy birthday!” I was still as I stood there. The relief I felt upon seeing Leo rushing towards me, smiling broadly and safe and sound, is beyond words. However, the relief was soon followed by bewilderment and rage. “What… what’s going on?” I stumbled and gave Leo a tight hug. Looking a little remorseful, Brandon approached. “We wanted to give you a birthday surprise. Since we are aware of your dislike of large gatherings, we felt this would be a great way to commemorate.”Martha said, “Actually, that was entirely Leo’s idea. He desired to give his mother something truly memorable.” Leo was beaming up at me when I looked down at him. “Mom, did you enjoy the surprise? I spent days honing that terrified voice!” I couldn’t decide if to laugh or cry. The last few hours of terror and dread were still very much with her. But as soon as everyone was here, happy and safe, the stress started to lessen.“I almost had a heart attack because of all of you,” I shook my head. Brandon gave me a strong hug. We truly apologise for frightening you. All we wanted to do was make your birthday one to remember.” “Well, mission accomplished,” I said, managing to crack a smile at last. “This is definitely a birthday I’ll never forget.” After the first shock subsided, I was surrounded by laughter and affection.Gratitude for having such loving, if perhaps misguided, relatives and friends gradually overcame my resentment. Now that I’m looking back, I can chuckle about it. But I got them to swear that they wouldn’t play a prank like that ever again. Saying “Happy Birthday!” isn’t as dramatic as it once was. Have you ever been so astonished by someone?