CALEB
Tonight was a night of nerves and excitement. The school's annual talent show was upon us, and everyone had been buzzing with anticipation for weeks. As I stood in front of the mirror, tugging at the bowtie for what felt like the tenth time, frustration started to creep in. I wanted to look flawless, not just to impress everyone else, but especially Miles.
Miles was the boy with the warmest smile and the kindest eyes. He had a way of effortlessly captivating me when I was around him. He was charismatic and talented, and as luck would have it, he was also going to be performing tonight, with me. My heart raced at the thought of impressing him, even though I knew deep down that it was a long shot.
Feeling the knot coming apart again, I let out a frustrated sigh. I couldn't afford any more mistakes; I had to get it right this time. I recalled the countless YouTube tutorials I had watched, studying each step with the intensity of a detective solving a crime. How could tying a bowtie be this difficult?
"Just breathe," I reminded myself, taking a moment to collect my thoughts. I closed my eyes, letting my frustration dissipate into the air, and tried to channel calmness. "Sweetie, may I remind you that we only have thirty minutes left before the show starts?" Mom said, her voice tinged with urgency. I turned around, taken aback by her sudden appearance. There she stood, leaning against the door frame, arms crossed tightly across her chest.
I quickly glanced at the clock on the wall. Her words sank in, and a wave of panic washed over me. How could I have lost track of time? I had been so engrossed in my world, oblivious to the passing minutes.
"I can't do it perfectly," I muttered to myself with a sigh, my voice laced with defeat. Glancing down at the stubborn bowtie, I couldn't help but pout.
Mom chuckled softly, a radiant smile gracing her lips. Despite the passing years, she still had a youthful glow, and her warm eyes were filled with wisdom and compassion.
"Having trouble, sweetie?" she asked, her voice filled with gentle amusement.
I nodded sheepishly, realizing that I could use her expertise in this matter. Without a word, I let go of the bowtie and moved aside as my mother graciously stepped in. With delicate hands, she deftly worked her magic, effortlessly twisting and folding the fabric into a perfect knot.
As she expertly adjusted my bowtie, I couldn't help but be in awe of her beauty, both inside and out. It was no wonder that my dad was so deeply in love with this remarkable woman. Her captivating appearance was merely a reflection of the incredible person she was, with a heart full of kindness and a spirit that radiated love.
Once she finished, she stepped back, admiring her handiwork with a twinkle in her eye. I looked at myself in the mirror, amazed at how a simple bowtie could enhance my appearance.
"Thank you, Mom," I said, a mix of gratitude and admiration in my voice. "You always know how to make everything perfect."
Her smile widened as she pulled me into a warm embrace. "Oh, my dear, perfection is overrated. What matters is that you keep trying, no matter how imperfect the outcome may be. That's how you truly learn and grow."
Her words resonated deep within me, teaching me a valuable lesson. It wasn't about doing everything flawlessly, but rather about finding contentment in the journey itself, embracing imperfections, and continually striving to improve.
As I took one last look in the mirror, I realized that my mother's personality and beauty were intertwined, woven into the fabric of her being. Her unwavering warmth and genuine love for others made her captivating from the inside out.
"Come on, let's get going. I don't want Miles to keep waiting for you," Mom urged, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
Mom had been aware of my journey of self-discovery ever since I outed myself to her as bisexual the day Miles was accidentally outed to the school by some cruel students years ago. It was during that difficult time that Mom became my rock, offering unwavering support and understanding.
I nodded in response, and we both started to make our way downstairs. The wooden staircase creaked beneath our hurried footsteps, amplifying the uneasy feeling that had settled in the pit of my stomach. Each step brought us closer to the mystery that awaited us, lingering in the shadows of our old family home.
As soon as we reached the bottom, Mom and I heard a loud thud resonating through the house. It was followed by the unmistakable sound of a broken plate shattering into pieces on the tiled floor of the kitchen.
A wave of panic washed over us, dispelling any thoughts of mundane explanations for the disturbance. Something was wrong, and we exchanged gazes for a moment, looking concerned and worried at the same time. Without uttering a single word, we both ran into the kitchen, guided by the urgency pulsating in our veins. 
The scene that unfolded before our eyes was a shocking sight. Gramma Everett, with her delicate white hair and aged features, lay motionless and unconscious on the cold linoleum floor.
Gasping in disbelief, Mom fell to her knees, gently cradling Gramma's fragile head in her hands. Panic gripped my chest, rendering me momentarily speechless. It seemed inconceivable that someone so full of life and wisdom could be reduced to such vulnerability.
"Oh my God! Mom!" Mom yelled in her most worried voice, but I froze. My heart raced in my chest as my body refused to respond to her desperate plea. The sight before me was so shocking and terrifying that it felt as if time had stood still.
"Caleb, hurry, call for an ambulance!" Mom commanded, her voice quivering with fear and worry. 
"Caleb!" She yelled louder once more, so I snapped back to my senses. My heart pounded in my chest as adrenaline surged through my veins. I shook my head vigorously to calm myself down as I fumbled for my phone, my trembling fingers struggling to dial emergency services. 
The waiting seemed to stretch into an eternity as we desperately sought the help we needed. After what seemed like an eternity, I heard the phone ringing on the other end. Each ring felt like an agonizing pause, delaying the help I desperately needed.
"911, what's your emergency?" a calm voice finally answered.