It should have been a morning like all the rest – uneventful, scheduled, and comfortable in its sameness.  That was not to be.  Not for this morning.  The prior evening gave no hint of what the next day would bring.  My son Joey stopped over for a late night dinner and stayed the night as he did sometimes.  We both retired at about twelve midnight after watching our favorite reruns.    It was nice to share something adult with the boy who became a man, Oh so quickly.  The years rolled by before we had a chance to do all the things we meant to do.  There was always tomorrow!  The night-time hours passed and my sleep was fitful.  Could it be a foreboding of things to come?

At 6:30am the ringing doorbell startled me from a dozing slumber.  Joey ran out of his bedroom just as surprised to hear the persistent, continuing sounds.  He reached the front door before me.  There stood four or five men dressed in business suits who spoke to Joey in hushed tones.  I couldn’t believe this was happening.  All entered my house.  Joey said that he had to go with them.  No explanation, just movement  up the stairs to the bedrooms.  Joey had to dress.  Four men followed him.  One man barred my way and kept me in the living room.  His face began to soften as he spoke to me.  I suppose he thought of his own mother and how she would feel in such a situation.  I asked what this was all about.  His answer really made no sense.  “It’s business Ma’am.”  Business?  What kind of business brings this action at 6:30am.  He continued, “We are law enforcement officers.” We have to take your son in for questioning.”  “Don’t worry, he will be okay.”  This was meant to be comforting?  Joey came down the stairs, fully dressed with the four lawmen following.  His first concern was to reassure me that he would be fine.  I held him for a moment and then asked if I should call anyone.  Joey’s answer was no, again “I will be fine.”  Before I could say another word, my only son was whisked away.  I was standing alone.