The little girl, unafraid, took my mother’s hand and led her out of the hospital.

“Auntie, I’ll help you find it. It must be important to you.”

My mother murmured an indistinct “okay,” and the two of them began searching by the lake.

When the little girl’s parents realized she was missing, they were frantic and immediately called the police.

When the police found them, the two were jubilantly celebrating.

My mother had finally found my gold ring, but she could never find me again.

It was as if she realized this too, and her expression grew despondent.

Elisha arrived in a rush and shouted angrily at my mother, “What...