‘They’ said they had US woman’s son. ‘They’ demanded money. So began the days of waiting and crying

It was a virtual kidnapping, but the pain and relief were real. — Los Angeles Times/TNS

It was a strange number from Huntington Park, but I always answer odd numbers because it could be my son calling. He is 33, unhoused in Los Angeles, mentally ill and treatment-resistant. It’s just something my family lives with, though we never imagined this would be our lives.

When I answered, I heard crying and sobbing, “Mom, Momma, please come get me. Mom, please. Please, Momma.”