Adam hadn’t visited his mother in years, too absorbed in building his own life. One day, when he needed to pick up some important documents from her home, he was stunned to find the house demolished and abandoned.
Diana Evans had raised Adam on her own, working tirelessly to provide for him and fund his education. After he finished high school, Adam chose to attend a university on the other side of the country. Though Diana felt a pang of sadness at his departure, she happily sent him off to New York, staying behind in California. In his early years at college, they kept in touch through frequent phone calls, and he would call whenever he had time.
However, Diana never made it to visit Adam in New York; their only communication was through calls, which gradually became less frequent despite her cherishing each one. When graduation approached, Adam called his mother to invite her to his commencement.
“Hey, Mom!” he said.
“Hi Adam, it’s wonderful to hear from you! How have you been?” she replied excitedly.
“I’m great, Mom! I’m graduating in two weeks. Can you come?” he asked.
Overcome with pride and nearly in tears, Diana promised, “Of course, Adam. I wouldn’t miss it for the world—I’m so proud of you!” After the call ended, she started looking up flights to New York, only to be shocked by their high cost. Realizing she didn’t have enough money for a round-trip ticket and a special graduation gift, she took on extra work babysitting to save up. Once she had enough funds, she eagerly booked her ticket and went to the department store to pick out a gift for Adam.
After wandering through several aisles, she settled on a nice watch, reasoning that every professional needed a quality timepiece. “Please wrap it nicely with a ribbon,” she instructed the saleslady, adding excitedly that it was a graduation present for her son from a top New York university. The saleslady, equally enthusiastic, congratulated her as she packed the watch.
A few days later, Diana traveled to New York. Adam met her at the airport, and together they drove to his campus for the graduation ceremony. Overwhelmed with joy, Diana took out her phone to snap pictures. When Adam received his diploma, she couldn’t help but cheer loudly, exclaiming, “That’s my son!” After the ceremony, they embraced warmly.
“Thanks, Mom. This is all because of you,” Adam said with a smile, and they headed to a fancy New York steak restaurant for dinner. Initially worried about the bill, Diana relaxed when Adam insisted, “I worked part-time while studying—this is my treat to you. Thank you for everything.” Touched, she responded with tears in her eyes, “I’m so proud of you, son.” Later, she presented him with a small gift—a watch—insisting, “I got you something, too.” Surprised and delighted, Adam declared, “This is beautiful, Mom. I’ll wear it to work every day so I’ll always have you with me.” They spent the rest of the night talking, taking photos, and enjoying New York together.
After a few more days, Diana had to return to California. As she left, she asked, “Will you be visiting home soon, Adam?” He promised to try, though his busy schedule with job interviews and a demanding career on Wall Street, as well as his relationship with his model girlfriend, meant that their calls soon became infrequent. Gradually, their regular communication dwindled until it stopped altogether. In one of their final conversations, Diana, showing signs of loneliness and depression—losing weight and losing her appetite—was advised by Adam to eat, socialize, and take walks. Yet, as time went on, he checked in only occasionally.
Eventually, Adam started his own firm in New York and needed to retrieve some documents from California, which he couldn’t simply have his mother mail over. So, he took a last-minute flight back home without notifying her. When he arrived at her house, he was shocked to see it completely demolished—cobwebs filled the space, fences lay broken on the ground, and the lawn was overgrown. Inside, the house was empty except for some ruined furniture.
Alarmed, Adam called his mother, but received no answer. He then went to ask Mr. Green, the longtime neighbor, what had happened.
“Hi, Mr. Green,” he said as soon as the neighbor answered the door.
“Adam? Is that you? What are you doing here?” Mr. Green asked.
“It’s me, Mr. Green. Where’s Mom? What happened to our house?” Adam asked, his voice trembling with guilt and fear.
Mr. Green explained, “Remember that storm that hit California a few months ago? It severely damaged our homes. Your mom didn’t have enough money to repair the damage, and she didn’t want to burden you, so she moved into a nursing home.”
Stunned, Adam asked, “What? Why didn’t I know any of this? Where is the nursing home?” After getting the address, he rushed there. When he arrived, he found Diana frail and confined to a wheelchair.
“Mom,” he whispered through tears as soon as he saw her.
“Adam? What are you doing here?” she asked softly.
On his knees before her, Adam apologized, “I’m so sorry for not being there for you when you needed me. I neglected you for years.” Cradling her knees, he wept, overcome with guilt.
“Adam, don’t be ridiculous. Get up,” she said, trying to lift his spirits. Clinging to her, he continued, “I’m so sorry, Mom. You won’t ever be alone again. I’m going to live with you and take care of you,” he vowed.
Adam kept his promise. He completely rebuilt their old home and eventually moved his mother out of the nursing facility. He even decided to relocate his business from New York to California and invited his girlfriend to join them. From that point on, the three of them lived together happily. Adam and his girlfriend ensured Diana was well cared for, while she contributed by cooking and managing household chores.