“It’s not for you to decide where my son will live,” declared his ex-wife as she stepped over the threshold.
“Dad, when is Mum coming?” asked Thomas, setting aside his maths workbook.
William looked up from his newspaper and studied his son. The boy was only eight, yet his eyes carried a sadness far too old for his years.
“I dont know, Tom. She said shed visit this weekend, and todays only Wednesday.”
“But is she really coming? Last time she promised, then rang and said something important came up.”
William sighed. How could he explain that the boys mother now lived in another city, with another man, and that Thomas had become little more than an obligation to her? Once a month, shed visit, buy him a toy, take him to a café, then vanish again.
“Shell come, Tommy. She will.”
“Alright,” the boy picked up his book again. “Can I watch telly later?”
“Finish your homework first, then well see.”
William returned to his paper, but the words blurred before him. Three years had passed since the divorce, yet his life still felt stuck in the same loopwork, home, Thomas. His mates urged him to find a woman, start anew, but how could he when his boy still waited for his mother?
By the time Thomas closed his books, dusk had settled outside.
“Dad, whats for supper tomorrow?”
“Bangers and mash. You like those.”
“Yeah,” the boy smiled. “And veg?”
“Peas and carrots too.”
They moved to the kitchen, and William began pulling ingredients from the fridge. Thomas perched on a stool nearby, swinging his legs as he chattered about school.
“Charlie Harris fell in PE today and scraped his knee. There was blood! Miss Thompson took him to the nurse.”
“Nothing serious, I hope?”
“Nah, just a plaster. Dad why do Charlies parents always come to meetings together, but you go alone?”
William stilled, the knife hovering over a half-chopped carrot.
“Well Mum and I have different jobs, different schedules.”
“Oh,” Thomas nodded, though he didnt seem convinced.
After supper, the boy obediently washed up and brushed his teeth. William tidied the kitchen, then brewed himself tea. The flat was quiet, save for the faint hum of the telly in the background.
The next day at work, his colleague Mark brought up the subject again.
“Will, mate, give it a rest! What mother? She practically walked away! Popping in once a monthwhats that worth? Thomas adores you. Youre a good dad.”
“You dont understand. Theres no time for anything. School runs, homework, supper, bedtime stories. Weekends are laundry, shopping, cleaning.”
“Then find a woman wholl help! A decent, kind one. A stepmum wouldnt hurt Thomas.”
“And if he doesnt like her? If his mum comes back and kicks up a fuss?”
“Shes not coming back!” Mark waved a hand. “If she wanted to, shed have done it by now.”
William said nothing. Deep down, he knew his friend was rightbut admitting it hurt too much.
That evening, as Thomas did his homework, the doorbell rang. William checked the peephole and froze. His ex-wife, Elizabeth, stood on the step. He opened the door.
“Hello,” she said. “May I come in?”
“Of course. Tom! Mums here!”
The boy dashed from his room and threw himself at her. Elizabeth hugged him stiffly, as if shed forgotten how.
“Youve grown! So tall now.”
“Mum, are you staying long? Did you bring me something?”
“Of course. But first, I need to talk to Dad.”
Thomas nodded and scampered off. Elizabeth stepped into the sitting room and sat on the sofa. William remained standing.
“Tea?”
“Please.”
He went to the kitchen, made two cups, then returned. Elizabeth looked wellnew haircut, expensive clothes, manicured nails. Life in the city clearly suited her.
“How are things?” he asked.
“Good. Enjoying work, decent pay. And you?”
“Fine. Thomas is doing well at school. No real troubles.”
She hesitated, then straightened.
“Will, I came to tell you something. Edward and I are getting married.”
“Congratulations.”
“And I want Thomas to come live with me.”
William felt the world drop away. The cup trembled in his hand.
“What?”
“I want him with me. Im settled now, good job, Edwards fond of him. And you? Always at work, leaving him to himself.”
“Liz, are you mad? Thomas is happy herehis school, his friends. And besides, you”
“I what? I was young, scared of responsibility. Now Im ready to be his mother.”
“Have you even asked him what he wants?”
“Hes a child. He doesnt know whats best. My homes better for him.”
William stood and paced.
“Three years, Liz. Three years you barely saw him. Monthly visits, when you could be bothered. Now suddenly you want him back?”
“I have every right! Im his mother!”
“Mother?” Williams voice turned sharp. “A mother stays up when hes ill. Helps with homework, takes him to the doctor, buys his clothes. What have you done?”
“I was working! Building a life!”
“And who was building his? Raising him? Who”
“Quiet!” she hissed. “Hell hear.”
William lowered his voice, but the fury remained.
“Why now? Why suddenly do you want him?”
Elizabeth turned away, gaze fixed on the window.
“Edward wants children. I cant have morethe doctors said. So we thought Thomas Hed adjust.”
“So thats it. You need a child for your new husband, and you remembered you had one. Convenient.”
“Will, dont. Ive missed him.”
“Missed him?” He gave a bitter laugh. “Missed calling? Asking how he was? You forgot his birthday last year!”
“I was busy”
“Enough,” he cut in. “Everyone was busy. Thomas grew up without you. Now you waltz back and claim rights.”
Footsteps pattered from the hall. Thomas peeked in.
“Mum, are we going out? The cinema, maybe?”
Elizabeth forced a smile.
“Of course, love. Just need to finish talking with Dad.”
“Alright.” He vanished again.
Once he was gone, she continued, “Ive made up my mind, Will. Ill go to court if I must. Ive got the means nowgood income, a proper home. What do you have? A rented flat, an ordinary job”
“I love my son. Do you?”
“Of course! I just dont show it like you do.”
“Or you dont feel it.”
She stood, clutching her handbag.
“Ill give you till tomorrow. If you agree, well keep it civil. If not The courts will decide.”
“You dont get to decide where my son lives,” William said firmly.
“Hes my son too! Ive every right!”
“Rights are earned.”
She marched to the door, then turned.
“Thomas! Come say goodbye!”
The boy ran out and hugged her.
“Mum, will I see you tomorrow?”
“Yes, love. You will.”
When the door closed, Thomas turned to his father, confused.
“Dad, were you arguing?”
“No, Tom. Just grown-up talk.”
“Mum seemed upset.”
William sat beside him on the sofa and pulled him close.
“Tom, tell me truthfullydo you want to live with Mum?”
The boy frowned.
“Where does she live?”
“Another city. Far from here.”
“What about school? And Charlie? And Gran?”
“Youd have a new school, new friends.”
Thomas thought, then shook his head.
“Dont want to. I want to stay with you. Visit Mum sometimes.”
“Alright, son. Alright.”
That night, William lay awake. Elizabeth would return tomorrow for his answer. What would he say? That hed fight for his boy? That hed never let him go? What if she took it to court? Could he afford a solicitor?
The next morning, as he packed Thomass schoolbag, the boy asked,
“Dad, if Mum took me away would you be sad?”
William crouched to meet his eyes.
“Tom, no ones taking you. Were family, understand?”
“Yeah,” the boy smiled. “What about Mum?”
“Shes family too. Just further away.”
“Like Aunt Lucy? Shes family but lives in her own house.”
“Something like that.”
At school, William lingered to speak with the teacher. Thomas was doing well, she saidno trouble, well-liked by classmates.
“Hes a thoughtful boy,” Miss Harris remarked. “Clearly well-raised. Though he does get quiet sometimes. Probably misses his mother.”
“Were divorced.”
“I see. Have you thought of remarrying? It might help him, having a full family.”
William nodded vaguely.
That evening, Elizabeth arrived promptly at seven. Thomas rushed to her, but she gently held him back.
“Love, go to your room. Dad and I need to talk.”
“But Mum”
“Go on, Tom,” William said.
Once alone, Elizabeth wasted no time.
“Well? Have you decided?”
“Yes. Thomas stays with me.”
“Will, dont be stubborn. Think of him! I can give him morebetter opportunities.”
“And more love?”
“That too!”
“Then why didnt you show it for three years?”
She hesitated, then sighed.
“Fine. Well settle it in court. But know thisI wont back down. Edward supports me. We can afford the best solicitors.”
“Still wont ask Thomas what he wants?”
“What does a child know? Adults decide whats best.”
“Right. Tom! Come here!”
The boy hurried in and sat between them.
“Tom, Mum wants you to live with her. What do you think?”
Thomas glanced at his mother, then his father.
“Is it far?”
“Quite far,” Elizabeth said. “But its lovelya big house, your own room.”
“Ive got my own room here.”
“Itd be better there.”
“Would Dad come too?”
“No, hed stay here.”
Thomas bit his lip, then shook his head.
“Dont want to be without Dad. He takes me to school, helps with homework, reads to me.”
“Ill do all that!”
“Can you make toad-in-the-hole? Play chess? Fix my bike?”
Elizabeth faltered.
“Ill learn”
“Dont want to,” Thomas said firmly. “I want to live with Dad. Visit you sometimes.”
Her face twisted.
“Youve turned him against me!” she snapped at William. “Poisoned his mind!”
“Mum, Dad never said anything bad about you,” Thomas protested. “He says youre just really busy.”
Elizabeth sank into a chair, covering her face. When she looked up, her eyes were red.
“I thought hed want to be with me.”
“Do you truly want him?” William asked softly. “Or does Edward just want a ready-made child?”
She was silent a long moment.
“I dont know,” she admitted at last. “Part of me does. But Im scared too. What if I fail? What if he never loves me?”
“Mum, I already love you,” Thomas said. “I just want to stay here.”
Elizabeth pulled him into a tight hug. William saw her shoulders shake.
“Alright,” she whispered. “Stay with Dad. But can I visit more?”
“Whenever you like,” William said.
“And call?”
“Call anytime.”
She kissed Thomass head and stood.
“I should go. Need to explain to Edward.”
“Mum, youre not angry?” the boy asked.
“No, love. Not angry.”
After she left, Thomas lingered by the window, watching her taxi drive away.
“Dad, will she really visit more?”
“I think so. She loves you.”
“Then why did she want to take me from you?”
“Grown-ups get confused, Tom. Think they know best when they dont.”
“Oh. Dad can we get pizza tonight? Instead of sausages?”
William laughed. “Deal.”
A week later, Elizabeth rang. She spoke to Thomas for half an hour, asking about school, friends, weekend plans. Promised to visit in a fortnight.
Then, one month after that, William met a woman in the parkAnna, with her daughter, Emma. Divorced, like him, raising a child alone.
“How long for you?” she asked.
“Three years. You?”
“Two. Its hard sometimes, isnt it?”
“Worth it, though.”
Thomas and Emma became fast friends, swinging side by side on the playground.
“Dad,” Thomas whispered as they walked home, “Annas nice. Sos Emma.”
“She is.”
“Can we see them again?”
“We can.”
And William thought, perhaps Mark had been right. Life did go onand he deserved happiness too. So long as Thomas was happy. And judging by the boys grin as he chattered about his new friend, he was.
