LEWIS GORDON: RETURN OF THE FORGOTTEN HEIR

ECHOES OF ABANDONMENT

Lewis smiled at Lancaster as they trekked deeper into the luxurious duplex, footsteps echoing softly against marble tiles. His mother, Maria, followed quietly behind, her posture stiff but hopeful. Lewis’s voice trembled with excitement.

“She’s absolutely my mom. I’m so excited I finally found her after years.”

Lancaster blinked, shock spreading across his face. His brows knitted tight as memories of the orphanage passed through his mind like fading photographs.

“No, Lewis… Be serious and stop kidding me,” he muttered, voice thick with disbelief.

Lewis straightened his shoulders, his tone suddenly calm and serious.

“I’m serious about it. She’s absolutely my mom. Didn’t you see the close resemblance? Anyways, let’s enter your sitting room for more explanations.”

Lancaster’s eyes flicked between mother and son, studying the curly hair, the similar cheekbones, and the shared physique. The resemblance clung to his mind like glue, yet disbelief still gnawed at him. He swallowed hard, nodded silently, and they headed upstairs.

When he pushed open the living room door, light burst across polished floors, dancing off glass furniture. They stepped inside, settling on the couch. Lancaster hurried to switch on his latest Samsung TV, a Hollywood blockbuster, Star Wars, flickering alive on the screen.

He lowered the volume until the battle sounds became a faint hum, then dropped heavily beside them, still drowning in confusion.

“What are you even trying to say, Lewis? You mean she’s your mom? Then why did you spend all your childhood at the orphanage?”

Maria’s hands trembled slightly. She stared down, lips sealed tight, regret shadowing her wrinkled face. Lewis leaned forward on the couch, voice steady.

“Yeah, she’s my biological mother. Why I spent my childhood at the orphanage is because we were sent into exile. She had no option to cater for both of us, so she left me in their care so I wouldn’t starve.”

Lewis paused, breath tightening, then continued softly.

“Then she disappeared into the woods and started managing her life with prison cleaning, where they paid her peanuts and pennies. She didn’t leave me intentionally… it was because of condition.”

Lancaster inhaled sharply. His chest tightened as he imagined the hunger, the loneliness, and the years wasted searching. His eyes softened. It all still felt unreal, like some fairy-tale reunion. He scanned both faces again and noticed the striking resemblance clearer than ever.

“Then how did you meet her?” he asked, voice cracking slightly. “Because I still can’t believe what I’m hearing. The Lewis that grew with me in the orphanage has seen his mom? Are you for real? It sounds like a tale to me.”

Lewis adjusted himself again, confidence shining in his gaze.

“I know it’s difficult to believe; even if I was the one hearing it, I’d feel the same. But believe me, she’s truly my mom. I met her through an accident caused by me while driving home… around this month. I took her to the hospital.”

He drew a slow breath, eyes lowering.

“That’s where she revealed everything to me, asking me some questions, and it’s all truth. I did the same to her. She showed me proof, and more revelations, including why she left me at the orphanage, like I explained earlier.”

His words settled into the air like heavy smoke.

Lancaster’s shoulders slumped. His disbelief slowly melted away as reality pieced together in his mind. Maria’s eyes glittered with emotion, and when Lancaster turned to her, he spoke softly:

“Mom… Nice to meet you. So you’re truly Lewis’s mom?”

She smiled gently, lines deepening around her eyes.

“Yes, son… He’s undeniably my son. Everything he explained to you was absolutely true. Can’t you see the close resemblance between us? As he said earlier, yes, I left him because of the condition. And I’m glad I found him again.”

Lancaster pressed his fingers against his face. A sting bloomed in his chest. His voice turned small.

“I wish my own mom could meet me like this, too,” he whispered, eyes watering. Memories flashed behind his eyelids: warmth, laughter, then flames of tragedy. He bent his head, fighting the tremble in his shoulders.

Lewis leaned closer and placed a reassuring hand on his back.

“Lancaster, why such a reaction? Why are you weeping?”

Lancaster kept his head down for a minute, breath shaking. When he finally raised it, pity was written across his features.

“I’m thinking of my own mom… I miss her. Hearing all this made me emotional. I wished fate could let me meet her like this. But my case is different… She’s gone. She died in an accident. Same with my dad. They both died.”

Lewis and his mom inhaled sharply, hearts swelling with sympathy. Lewis squeezed his friend’s shoulder gently.

“Dear friend, take heart. It has already happened, and there’s nothing we can do other than move on. Hopefully, a great family will come from you; I believe it with my full chest. So cry no more.”

Maria scooted closer, her voice motherly and warm.

“My son… Stop weeping. It’s going to be alright. God will surely pave a way for you; it’s already written in the stars, once I’m concerned.”

Their words flowed into Lancaster like medicine. He wiped his eyes, stood up, and pulled both of them into an embrace, tight, grateful, and trembling.

“Thanks very much, son and Mom, for the kind words and encouragement. I’m stronger now and less emotional. I’m forever grateful.”

Lewis and his mom nodded in unison.

“We’ve heard you, Lancaster. Move on and weep no more.”

Outside, the sky paled into early morning, the clock striking close to 3:00AM. The heavy emotions of the night had chased sleep far away. Lancaster stretched, rolling his neck.

“You people aren’t feeling sleepy? It’s time to rest. If you’re ready, I’ll show you both your rooms.”

He turned up the Star Wars volume for them briefly, but Lewis and Maria rose almost immediately, exhaustion stamping dark shadows beneath their eyes. Lancaster switched the TV back off, and then the three of them climbed the staircase, lights glowing warmly along the walls.

At the top, Lancaster pointed down a long, polished passage. He guided Lewis to one spacious bedroom and Maria to another with soft wallpaper and velvet curtains. The duplex seemed endless, with countless rooms branching like a maze.

“I’ll be in mine,” Lancaster said, trekking a short distance before disappearing into his own room.

Inside his room, Lewis froze, wide-eyed at the luxurious spread, sleek wardrobe mirrors, and huge light lamps glowing behind the king-sized bed like a halo. He flopped backward onto the mattress, melting into softness.

But suddenly… something caught his attention.

His eyes widened, and he was shocked.