The Runaway: Running To, Or Running From

“Is this a goodbye note?” Ramona had been quiet on the weekend, barely communicating with anyone. Her mother just assumed that she needed time out to rest. “I'm going away, Mom," the note read. "Please, don't try to find me. I have to do this. Love, Ramona.” 

“No explanation at all? My beautiful daughter, you are only fifteen, too young to be on your own. What have you gotten yourself into?” Tears streamed down her mother's face.

“How do I deal with a runaway daughter?” Ramona’s mom asked her new husband, moments later. “Why would she leave? We give her everything.”

“We can only speculate. Maybe will never know. Let’s try the bus stop. It’s a long shot.”

A glance into Ramona’s room revealed she had taken very little. Her school books were still on the table. She had a backpack, a jean jacket, a sweater and change of clothes. Her purse was gone and so was the photo of her real father.

“She's going to see her father.”  

“I can understand that. I've tried to be a father to her. I know it's not the same.”

“If Ramona had only said something,” her mother said, gathering her composure. “Let’s give her some money and our blessing, if we find her. She has been saving her egg money for an emergency. She loves her dad. Maybe it is time for her to go there. He'll be happy to see her.”  

Ramona was standing alone, when her mother and stepfather arrived at the terminal.

“Let’s talk to her together.”

Her stepfather had sensed a problem for some time, but had not expected Ramona to leave without saying goodbye to him.

“You're going to see your dad?” her mother asked Ramona. “We want to give you our blessing and some extra money.”

“Please don’t be angry with me. I miss him so much, Mom.” She looked at her stepfather, apologetically. “I love you, too.”

Moments later, the bus pulled away.

“Will I ever see my daughter again?” her mother wondered. “She's not running away; she is running to her father. There is a difference.”