"It's me," I repeated when she stayed silent.
"The young man that gave you a ride a few minutes ago."
"Oh…" she said softly. "Yes?"
"I think you left your wallet in my car."
There was complete silence on the other end.
"My wallet?" she asked, sounding surprised.
"Yes."
I looked down at the brown leather wallet resting on the passenger seat.
"I noticed it after you got down at the train station."
"Oh my goodness…" she whispered.
"I've been looking everywhere for it."
I smiled unconsciously.
"I figured."
"I thought someone had already taken it."
"No."
"I still have it."
I heard her sigh in relief.
"Thank you so much."
"You have no idea how worried I was."
"It's okay."
"I can bring it back to you."
"No no…" she interrupted immediately.
"I've already troubled you enough."
"You haven't."
"I was driving back anyway."
She went quiet for a moment.
"I'll really appreciate it."
"Where are you now?" I asked.
She gave me the address of her restaurant.
"I'll be there in about twenty minutes."
"Thank you."
She hung up.
I placed the phone on the passenger seat before starting the engine.
Something about her reminded me of Grandma.
Strong…
Kind…
Yet carrying so much pain behind her smile.
I drove quietly until I arrived at the restaurant.
It wasn't a big place, but it looked warm.
The smell of freshly cooked food greeted me even before I stepped out of the car.
I grabbed the wallet and walked inside.
A woman immediately stood up from one of the tables.
"It's really you."
She smiled brightly.
"Thank you so much."
"You saved me."
I handed the wallet over.
She quickly opened it.
Everything was still inside.
Her cards…
Cash…
Family pictures…
Nothing was missing.
She looked up at me with watery eyes.
"I don't know how to thank you."
"You don't have to."
"I only returned what belongs to you."
She laughed softly.
"Young people like you are very rare these days."
I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly.
"It's really nothing."
"No."
"It isn't."
She looked around before pointing at an empty chair.
"You've helped me twice already."
"Please."
"At least let me buy you dinner."
I wanted to refuse.
I really did.
But something about her smile reminded me of home.
"Alright."
"But only for a little while."
Her face lit up.
"Great."
She disappeared into the kitchen.
A few minutes later, she returned with two steaming plates.
"I own this restaurant."
"So you're eating my best meal today."
"It smells amazing."
She smiled proudly.
"My daughters say the same thing."
"Daughters?"
"Yes."
"I have two girls."
"My eldest owns a design company."
My hand stopped halfway to my mouth.
"A design company?"
"Yes."
"She's very hardworking."
"My youngest lives in Germany."
I nodded while eating.
The food…
It tasted strangely comforting.
Just like something a mother would make.
"You remind me of someone."
She suddenly said.
I looked up.
"Who?"
"My late husband."
"He never walked away whenever someone needed help."
I smiled faintly.
"I'm honored."
Before either of us could speak again…
The restaurant door opened.
A familiar voice echoed through the room.
"Mom, I'm home."
My grip tightened around my spoon.
No…
It couldn't be.