Cathy is perplexed when she sees that her son Alex is wearing new clothes and has new headphones. She chooses to
Cathy is perplexed when she sees that her son Alex is wearing new clothes and has new headphones. In order to discover where or from whom he has been receiving everything, she makes the decision to follow him one day. She is transported back to her childhood by what she finds.
My son Alex has been wearing new clothes that I didn’t purchase for him, and I now realized this. I noticed a brand-new pair of headphones dangling around his neck yesterday.
“Where did you purchase the headphones, dear?” As I was making breakfast, I inquired.
And the clothing as well? I inquired.
He said, “Um.” “Yes.”
It made sense because Alex’s father, Ian, and I were divorced and frequently gave Alex new stuff, which made it difficult to keep track of.
Ian, though, was a pragmatic man. It was me, not Ian, who went over budget when I went shopping. He consistently gave Alex excellent presents, particularly clothing. However, Ian never purchased name brands since he detested spending money on them and believed they were a waste.
Since all of Alex’s new clothes were name brands, I had my doubts.
“Cathy, I don’t know what to tell you,” Ian said into the phone. But I wasn’t the one. Maybe he got some side work or something.
Ian is fourteen years old. That’s more than he could make from any part-time employment.
Ian comforted me by saying, “I’ll ask him.” “We’ll look into it in detail.”
I’ve never wanted to be a mother who constantly monitors every choice her child makes. However, nothing made sense because Alex couldn’t get the money on his own.
After dinner that evening, I overheard Alex whispering into his phone.
“Mom,” he remarked as he entered the kitchen. “All right, so we’re going to work on this project together at my friend Jeremy’s house.”
Do you require my departure? I asked, wiping my hands.
No, it isn’t that far. I will walk.
After a few minutes, he left.
Now was my last chance to see if Alex was up to something. He had an early advantage because I was seeing him via the glass.
I grabbed my keys and phone and followed him.
Alex crossed two roads and got into an unnamed car with a blonde woman. I couldn’t see her features well from where I was, so I had to approach closer.
A realization hit me like a ton of bricks as I got closer to the car and could finally see her face. Standing there, I watched Lia turn her face in the car while holding Alex.
After a few minutes, he left.
Now was my last chance to see if Alex was up to something. He had an early advantage because I was seeing him via the glass.
I grabbed my keys and phone and followed him.
Alex crossed two roads and got into an unnamed car with a blonde woman. I couldn’t see her features well from where I was, so I had to approach closer.
A realization hit me like a ton of bricks as I got closer to the car and could finally see her face. Standing there, I watched Lia turn her face in the car while holding Alex.
I continued to look for her. I made friends with the local police force and continued to search for leads, but once Alex was born, I gave up.
Finally, I accepted Lia’s want to stay anonymous.
But now she was in her car, sitting next to my son.
I walked confidently over, opened the back door, and climbed inside.
“Mum!” Alex let out a cry. “What brings you here?”
“Why are you here with my son, Lia?” I demanded.
Lia stared at me with wide eyes.
You disappeared, and now you’re back, using my son to meddle in our affairs?
My long-lost sister’s eyes softened as she showed a complexity that mirrored the tangled tapestry of our past.
“No, Cath,” she answered. Don’t get involved, please. I found Alex on Facebook and got in touch with him. His ability to help us mend our relationship was something I thought he could do.
Her words were laden with unresolved issues from a shared past and hidden hurt.
At that moment, of course, the floodgates opened. I lay back and cried.
I said, “You can’t just waltz back into our lives after all these years.” “Alex is also not a pawn to help you repair the harm you did.”
Why did you not tell me? I asked.
“Because I did not wish to exacerbate your already intense emotions over the divorce.”
“Oh my dear,” I’d say. “You are not to blame for that.”
Also present is Aunt Lia, who has been talking to me about everything. I wasn’t sure how I felt when you and Dad were divorced, but Aunt Lia helped me understand. I can see why you’re angry with her. But she’s been a huge assistance to me.
As I went to bed, I thought about what Alex had said. When I was younger, he had talked about the Lia I knew and loved—the one who would stop at nothing to help someone, even if it was simply to listen.
Cathy I admit my error. Even though I’ve changed, I still feel bad for hurting you and the family. And I want a chance to make amends.
I said nothing. I just sat there and watched as Alex turned from the front seat and was looking at me.
“Alex, let’s leave.”
We walked home in silence.
After brushing his teeth, he said, “Mom.” “Aunt Lia is pleasant. She has been nice to me. She got me the new stuff, but not Dad.
Additionally, I was ignorant of Alex’s difficult divorce proceedings. Just six months have passed since then. Although I was upset with Lia for bringing up Alex before coming to me, I was grateful for her help in helping my kid get used to life after the divorce.
I asked Alex to invite Lia over the phone the next day. When we were kids, I had made her favorite cheesecake, or it had been. And as we sat and chatted for hours, she informed me about her life to this point.
She was excited to see our parents again, but she was also ready to apologize and discuss everything.
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