My Daughter Disappeared at 17 – 16 Years Later, I Saw the Bag I Knitted for Her on a Stranger’s Shoulder

It was scratched, dull, and practically worthless, but Gia transferred it from backpack to purse to beach bag for years.

I never knew why she kept it.

Maybe kids hold onto things for reasons they can’t explain.

Maybe mothers do too.

Our final argument began over a green tank top.

That sounds ridiculous now.

At the time, it felt important.

I told Gia it was too small.

She told me it was her shirt.

I said that wasn’t the point.