Hey mate, so picture this: one ordinary afternoon Im sitting on the sofa with my lad, Jamie, playing our favourite board game. Out of nowhere theres a knock at the front door. I swing it open and theres someone I havent seen in ages my exwife, Emily.
Just to give you a bit of background, Emily and I had been married for seven years, and Jamie was six at the time. Life was pretty decent we loved our boy and were dreaming of having a girl someday. I was really hoping for another child.
As the years went by Emily started to pull away, getting colder with me. I could feel something was off, and eventually we ended up sleeping in separate beds. She blamed it on being exhausted and just not being in the right mood
A few mates eventually snapped me out of it. They told me theyd seen Emily getting into a car with some bloke on her way to work. He was all smooth, holding the door for her. I didnt want to believe it; I kept hoping our love could survive, especially with a kid in the mix. I decided not to put it off any longer and asked her straight out one evening if shed been unfaithful. She got quiet, packed her bag and walked out, leaving Jamie with me.
I was, honestly, relieved to have my son still here, but I was also shocked at how indifferent Emily seemed to be about him. Was she really such a bad mother? Did she not love her own child?
The first few months were rough. There were endless moments where I had no clue what to do. I rang up family, asked friends for advice, and spent hours scouring the internet. Jamie missed his mum at first, but eventually settled in.
Fast forward four years and things started looking up. I didnt hold back on giving Jamie what he needed new toys, weekend trips to the seaside, even a little holiday in the Lake District. Life felt a lot brighter.
Then, just like that day a few years ago, we were deep into our game when the knock came again. I opened the door and there she was Emily, looking exactly the same as four years earlier, maybe even a touch better. Jamie, however, ignored her completely. She stood there, unsure, then lunged forward, hugging him, kissing him, apologising and talking about how much she still loved him, but Jamie just turned his back.
I thought the best way to break the tension was to invite everyone in for a cuppa. The first ten minutes were dead silent and awkward, but then Emily started talking Turns out she wanted to take Jamie with her. I gave Jamie a chance to choose, seeing the fear in his eyes. I suggested he could spend a few days with her just to see how it felt.
All the while the thought of being alone nagged at me. If Jamie liked staying with her, Id be on my own, right?
But the next morning Jamie came back, all brighteyed, and said his mum wasnt alone and he wants to stay with me. Hell keep in touch with Emily, but hes not ready to move out.
So thats where we are now a bit of a mess, but at least weve got Jamie safe and sound, and Im learning to navigate this new normal. Cheers.
