Mum, imagine thisDads new wife is ill, and theyre saying its something serious.
Let me tell you a story from ten years ago. I raised two daughters with my husband, and theyve both gone off to uni now. I was really looking forward to this time in my life because I thought my husband and I would start fresh, just the two of us. But he had other ideashe ended up having an affair with his secretary.
Im sorry, I never meant to hurt you, he said, but I love her.
That evening, he packed his things and left to be with a woman half his age. The girls were furious with him and stopped speaking to him. It was so hard for me, especially when my youngest kept trying to patch things up between us. I wish I could forget that whole yeartime didnt heal the wounds, just made them easier to live with. I threw myself into my hobbies, growing rare plants and selling them. It kept me from sinking into depression.
Eventually, the girls made peace with their dad, and theyd sometimes tell me about his new life. He was happy with her, and later, she gave him a son.
Mum, imagineshes sick, they think its serious, they said.
Girls, stop talking about them, I dont like it, Id reply. I still loved my husband, and the thought of him with someone else put me in a foul mood. After all these years, I still saw him as mine.
Then one Saturday morning, I woke up to someone standing over me. I thought I was dreaminguntil I heard his shaky voice. Im sorry, I know its early. But II dont know what to do with our son. He looked older, his hair streaked with grey. Behind him stood a little boy. Their son.
My wife passed last night, he went on. Ive got the funeral to arrange, the girls are at workI just cant take him with me. Hes too young.
The boy was preschool age. I didnt understand what was happening, but when I looked at him, he piped up:
Are you my auntie?
No, I snapped, ready to shut the whole thing down.
Mummy said we didnt have anyone.
I never even knew your mother.
But he was so sweetit wasnt his fault. So I helped my ex.
Do you like porridge? Come to the kitchen, Ill make you breakfast, and your dad can fetch you later.
I made myself a coffee and porridge for the boy. Watching him, I noticed how much he looked like my girls at that age. We spent the morning watching cartoons and reading my daughters old books. He was lovelybright, too.
After that, my husband started bringing his son over more often. We became good friends. My girls arent thinking about kids yet, so this little boy felt like the grandchild I never had.
Its been two years since his wife died, and recently, my ex asked if we could move in together. Deep down, I want toI keep picturing this perfect family. But I dont know if I can trust him again.
If it doesnt work out, itll only hurt the boy. So I dont know what to do. I love them both, but the fear of being let down again wont leave me.
