05
On the fourth day after I moved out, I received a call from an unfamiliar number.
A woman’s voice came through, distant yet polite.
“Hello, is this Barry’s mother? I’m Barry’s teacher. We had a parents‘ meeting today, but both of Barry’s parents didn’t show up. Some of the rowdy kids teased him about it, and since he’s a sensitive boy, he got into a bit of a scuffle. This could be detrimental to his emotional well–being. I tried reaching his father, but I couldn’t get through, so I thought I’d call you. Could you come to
the school?”
I paused, taking a moment to process her words. I glanced at my phone; indeed, today was the day of the parents‘ meeting. Just days ago, I had been ready to attend, as I always had. I had been the one to show up for every meeting, while Gavin, caught up in his own world, never had
the time for Barry.
A wave of exhaustion washed over me, and I replied softly, “I’m sorry, but I’ve divorced Barry’s
father. I don’t have custody, so I’m not obligated to clean up his mess, nor am I required to attend
the parents‘ meeting.”
The teacher on the other end hesitated, clearly uncomfortable.
I asked her to bring Barry to the phone.
“Barry, it’s not right to argue with others. You’re growing up, and you can handle things on your own. The parents‘ meeting should have been your dad’s responsibility, or you could ask Ms. Bloom to go with you. But it won’t be me. I’m not your mom anymore. You said that yourself, didn’t you?”
Barry’s lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but I cut him off with a quick farewell to
the teacher and hung up without a second thought.
one I had loved
After the call ended, I sat in silence for a long while. This was my son, the fiercely for a decade, and to say such harsh words felt like a knife to the heart.
Barry hadn’t always been like this. He was once sweet and kind. But as he
older, he
started to mirror Gavin, who was arrogant, unreasonable, and infatuated with Lisa. Then, I
realized I had been treated this way for the past ten years. That thought brought me a strange
13:05 Tue, 24 Dec Mĥ
A new life awaited me.
I got up, tidied myself, and arranged to meet with my former professor for dinner.
I had sacrificed everything for Gavin, including my passions, and now it was time to reclaim
them piece by piece.
When I met my old professor, she looked at me with a mixture of sympathy and concern. “You had such a bright future ahead of you, and yet you insisted on quitting. I tried to stop you, but you wouldn’t listen.”
I smiled, “You’re right, I made a huge mistake back then. That was all on me.”
“Don’t dwell on it. You’re still young. Keep pushing forward,” she encouraged.
We enjoyed our meal, reminiscing about the past, and I felt a sense of warmth return to my life. I had also rejoined a pharmaceutical company, a step back into the world I had left behind.
On my way home, I received a message from an old friend.
“Freya, I heard you’re back! Let’s catch up tonight!”
I felt a surge of excitement. Amy Lane, my college classmate and close friend, had witnessed my secret crush on Gavin for four long years. But after I got married, my focus shifted
entirely to my family, and Gavin’s disdain for my old friends had driven a wedge between us.
After finishing my onboarding paperwork, I headed to the restaurant Amy had chosen.
