Part 01: Hey Sis, How Are You?

Seated on a plush, slightly worn sofa, Lisa cradled her phone in her hand, her fingers trembling with a mix of apprehension and hope. Her face bore the marks of life’s experiences, etched lines of joy and concern around her eyes. She took a deep breath, feeling the gravity of the call she was about to make.

With a gentle press of her thumb, she dialed a number she knew by heart, a number that connected her to a person who had long been a distant but cherished presence in her life. The phone rang, each tone resonating with anticipation.

Finally, a voice, soft and familiar, answered on the other end of the line. “Isabella, it’s me, Lisa,” Lisa greeted, her voice soft yet tinged with nervousness.

“Lisa? It’s been a while. What’s going on?” Isabella’s voice, like a distant melody, flowed through the phone, her surprise evident.

Lisa paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts. “I need to talk to you about Alex, my son.”

“Alex? What’s the matter?” Isabella’s voice conveyed genuine concern, a testament to the bond between sisters.

With measured words, Lisa began to explain, “He’s just finished high school, and he’s at a crossroads.” Her voice held a mother’s pride for her son’s accomplishments, yet an undercurrent of worry. “He doesn’t want to stay in our small town and work a dead-end job. He’s ambitious, Isabella, and he’s looking for better opportunities.”