Harlan Covington

After My Parents’ Divorce, I Was Cast Aside: How I Was Forced Out by My Mum, Rejected by My Dad, and Ultimately Forgave Them—A True Story of Family, Reconciliation, and Finding Happiness

I begged, but my mother was resolute. She hurriedly stuffed my clothes into my rucksack, handed me a

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After Seventy, She Was Forgotten by All—Even Her Own Son and Daughter Didn’t Wish Her a Happy Birthday

Margaret sat alone on a wooden bench in the garden of the care home, thin raindrops tracing silent paths

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The Friend I Sold: Granddad’s Tale And He Understood Me! It Wasn’t Fun—That Was a Foolish Idea, I Realised. I Sold Him. He Thought It Was a Game, but Then Knew I’d Sold Him. Times Have Always Been Different for Everyone—For Some, All-Inclusive Isn’t Much, While Others Long for Fresh Brown Bread with a Bit of Sausage. So We Lived Our Own Way—We Had Our Ups and Downs. I Was Just a Little Lad Then. My Uncle Dave Gave Me a Shepherd Puppy, and I Was Over the Moon. The Pup Clung to Me, Understood Every Word, Gazed Into My Eyes and Waited, Always Waiting for My Next Command. “Lie Down,” I’d Say After a Pause, and He’d Drop to the Floor, Eyes Fixed on Me, Ready to Lay Down His Life if I Asked. “Serve,” I’d Command, and the Pup Would Hop Up on His Chubby Paws, Eagerly Awaiting His Reward—A Juicy Treat. But There Was Nothing to Treat Him With. We Could Barely Feed Ourselves Back Then. That’s How It Was. Uncle Dave, Mum’s Brother—The One Who Gave Me the Pup—Once Told Me, “Don’t Worry, Lad. Look At Him—Loyal and True. Just Sell Him, Then Call Him Back. He’ll Escape to You—No One Will See. At Least You’ll Have Some Money For Treats—You, Your Mum, and Even the Dog. Trust Me, Lad, I Know What I’m Saying.” I Liked the Idea. I Didn’t Know Any Better Then—A Grown-Up Suggested It, Must Have Been a Harmless Trick, and I’d Get Goodies. I Whispered Into Faithful’s Fluffy Ear That I’d Pretend to Give Him Away, But Then I’d Call for Him to Run Back to Me. And He Understood Me! He Barked, as If to Say He’d Do Just That. Next Day, I Put On His Lead and Took Him Down to the Train Station, Where People Sold All Sorts—Flowers, Cucumbers, Apples. As Folks Poured Off the Train, They Began Browsing and Haggling. I Stepped Forward and Pulled Faithful Along, But No One Came Near. Nearly Everyone Had Passed When a Stern-Looking Man Approached: “You Waiting for Someone, Son? Or Looking to Sell Your Pup? That’s a Fine Dog—Alright, I’ll Take Him.” He Slipped Money Into My Hand. I Handed Over the Lead; Faithful Looked Round, Sneezed Cheerfully. “Go On, Faithful, Off You Go, Mate—I’ll Call You Back,” I Whispered, and He Went Off with the Stranger. I Hid and Followed to See Where My Mate Was Taken. That Evening, I Brought Home Bread, Sausage, and Sweets. Mum Looked Sternly: “Where’d You Get That—Steal It?” “No, Mum, I Just Helped Carry Bags at the Station.” “Well Done, Son. Eat Up and Off to Bed. I’m Worn Out.” She Didn’t Even Ask about Faithful—She Never Cared Much for Him. Uncle Dave Came Round the Next Morning. I Was About to Head Out, Though I Really Wanted to Fetch Faithful. “So, Sold Your Friend?” He Chuckled, Ruffling My Hair. I Shrugged Away, Didn’t Answer. I Hadn’t Slept. The Bread and Sausage Sat in My Throat. It Wasn’t Fun. I Realised How Foolish It Had Been. No Wonder Mum Didn’t Like Uncle Dave. “He’s Daft, Don’t Listen to Him,” She’d Always Say. I Grabbed My School Bag and Ran Out. The House Was Three Blocks Away—I Ran the Whole Way. Faithful Sat Behind a High Fence, Tied With a Thick Rope. I Called Him, but He Just Laid His Head On His Paws and Wagged His Tail—Trying to Bark, But His Voice Broke. I’d Sold Him. He Thought It Was a Game, but Then He Knew I’d Sold Him. His New Owner Came Out, Gave Faithful a Stern Look—He Tucked His Tail. I Knew It Was All Over. That Evening, I Helped Carry Bags at the Station. They Didn’t Pay Much, But I Managed to Earn Enough. Heart Thumping, I Knocked on the Gate. The Familiar Man Opened: “Oh, It’s You, Lad—What Do You Want?” “Mister, I Changed My Mind—Here’s Your Money Back.” I Handed Over the Cash. The Man Squinted, Took the Money, and Untied Faithful: “Go On, Lad, Take Him—He’s Been Pining. He’ll Never Make a Guard Dog. Just Know—He Might Not Forgive You.” Faithful Looked at Me, Crestfallen. The Game Had Become a Trial For Us Both. Then He Came Up, Licked My Hand, and Nudged Me. Many Years Have Passed, But I Learned This: Never, Even in Jest, Do You Sell a Friend. And Mum Was Well Chuffed: “I Was So Tired Yesterday—But Then I Thought: Where’s Our Dog? I’ve Gotten Used to That Pup—He’s Ours, Faithful!” Uncle Dave Doesn’t Visit Much Now—His Tricks Weren’t Very Funny to Us.

A Sold Friend. A Granddads Tale And he understood me! It wasnt fun at all, and I soon realised it was

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I Took a DNA Test and Instantly Regretted It: How My Curiosity Shattered My Family and Cost Me Everything

I did a DNA test and instantly regretted it I rather found myself in a bind and had to marry my girlfriend

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Don’t Leave, Mum: A Family Story Folk wisdom says: people are not like nuts, you can’t crack them open all at once. But Tamara Bennett was convinced that was nonsense—she prided herself on being an excellent judge of character! Her daughter, Millie, got married a year ago. Tamara had always dreamed Millie would find a worthy young man, have children, and that she, the grandma, would reign over a big, happy family just as she always had. Russell turned out to be a smart guy—and as such, not exactly poor. He seemed quite proud of that fact. But they started living on their own; Russell had his own flat, and it seemed they didn’t want her advice! She could tell he was a bad influence on Millie! This was not at all the kind of relationship Tamara had planned for her daughter. Russell began to get on her nerves. “Mum, you just don’t understand—Russell grew up in care. He’s achieved everything himself. He’s strong, kind, and a good man,” Millie protested. But Tamara could only purse her lips, always finding new faults with Russell. Now, she saw him as completely different to the man he pretended to be for her daughter! It was her motherly duty to open her daughter’s eyes to this empty man, before it was too late! He had no real education, he was stubborn, and had no interests! He just spent weekends glued to the telly because he was “tired” from work! How could her daughter want to spend her whole life with someone like that? Tamara was certain Millie would thank her one day. And what would happen when the grandchildren came—her grandchildren—what kind of father would he be? All in all, Tamara was completely disappointed. Russell, feeling her disapproval, kept his distance too. They spoke less and less, and Tamara refused to visit their home at all. Millie’s father, a gentle soul who knew his wife well, just stayed neutral. But one night, Millie phoned Tamara, her voice worried and trembling: “Mum, I didn’t tell you, I’m away on a work trip for two days. Russell caught a cold at the building site—came home early today, wasn’t feeling well. Now he’s not answering his phone.” “Why are you telling me this?” Tamara snapped. “You both want to live your own lives, don’t care about your dad and me! No one asks how I feel! And now you’re phoning in the middle of the night to tell me Russell’s unwell? Are you serious?” “Mum,” Millie’s voice broke, really anxious now, “please, it just hurts that you don’t want to understand. We love each other. You think Russell is empty, unworthy, but he isn’t! How can you think I—your daughter—would fall for a bad man? Don’t you trust me?” Tamara was silent. “Mum, please, you have a key to our flat. Please, will you go check on him? I feel like something’s wrong! Please, Mum!” “All right, only for your sake,” Tamara said, already waking her husband. No one answered the bell at her daughter and son-in-law’s flat, so Tamara opened it herself. They stepped inside—it was dark, was he even home? “Maybe he’s out?” her husband suggested, but Tamara gave him a stern look; she was feeling her daughter’s worry now. They entered the lounge—and Tamara froze. Russell was lying awkwardly on the sofa. He was burning with fever! The paramedic brought him round: “Don’t worry, your son—it’s a complication from his cold. He must work a lot?” “Yes, he does,” Tamara nodded. “He’ll be fine, just monitor his temperature and call if needed.” Russell slept on, and Tamara sat beside him, feeling strange—to be sitting by the bedside of the son-in-law she thought she hated. He looked so pale, his hair stuck to his forehead with fever. She suddenly felt sorry for him. In sleep, he looked younger, gentler—not how he seemed when awake. “Mum,” Russell murmured in his sleep, taking her hand, “don’t leave, Mum.” Tamara was stunned, but she didn’t dare pull her hand away. She stayed with him until morning. At first light, Millie called: “Mum, I’m sorry, I’ll be home soon, you don’t need to go anymore. I think he’ll be all right.” “He definitely will,” Tamara smiled, “Already sorted, love. We’re waiting for you. Everything’s fine now.” ***** When her first grandchild was born, Tamara instantly offered help. Russell kissed her hand in thanks: “See, Millie! And you said your mum wouldn’t want to help us.” And Tamara, proudly carrying little Timothy in her arms, strolled about the flat chatting to the baby: “Well, Timmy, aren’t you lucky? You’ve got the very best parents—and a grandma and grandad, too! You’re a lucky boy!” Turns out, the saying was right: you can’t judge a person straight away. And only love helps you see the truth.

Dont Leave, Mum: A Proper English Family Affair Theres an old saying that goes: You cant judge a book

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She Was Never Alone: An Ordinary Tale of Grandma Val, Felix the Cat, and Their Loyal Dog in a Cozy English Flat on a Late Winter Morning

She Was Never Lonely. A Simple Tale It was a late winter morning, and dawn crept sluggishly over the rooftops.

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I Will Always Be with You, Mum: A Heartfelt Story You’ll Find Yourself Believing

Ill always be with you, Mum. A Story You Can Believe Evelyn, affectionately known as Nan to most on Ashcroft

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Our Closest Loved Ones: A Heartwarming Family Story of Grandchildren, Homemade Biscuits, and Life’s Unbreakable Bonds

Family Ties Its funny how life turns out. It could have all been so different. The neighbour often remarks

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A Grandson’s Request: An English Family Story of Trust, Generosity, and the Bonds Between Grandmother and Grandson

Gran, I need to ask you something. I really need some money. A lot, actually. My grandson stopped by

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No One Left to Talk To: A Moving Short Story About Nostalgia, Lost Friends, and Rediscovering Life’s Joys

Mum, what are you talking about? How can you say youve got no one to talk to? I call you twice a day