– What kind of manner is it to eat with your phone in your hand?! Either put your phone away or leave the table! — Alex shouted again at his stepson.
– I want to eat with my phone! What’s it to you?! You’re nothing to me… — retorted ten-year-old Ethan.
– What did you say?! As long as I’m the one footing the bill in this house, you’d best show me some respect! I never dared to talk back to my parents at your age! — Alex bellowed, and Ethan shot out of his chair, slamming the door to his room behind him.
– What is it this time? I can’t even have a peaceful shower in here, you both always hassle me! I’m so tired of all this! — Natalia, Ethan’s mother, emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her head.
– Your son has become completely spoiled! No discipline whatsoever! This is your fault, by the way! — Alex snapped at his wife in a fit of rage.
Natalia walked to the kitchen and sank into a chair. She removed the towel from her head and wearily wiped her face, glancing at her husband before exhaling heavily and lowering her eyes…
…At eighteen, Natalia found herself pregnant by a university classmate. There wasn’t any great love between them; they were just dating casually… She told him about the pregnancy. He shared the news with his parents, who acted swiftly. They transferred him to a university on the other side of the country and handed Natalia money for an abortion.
The thought of aborting the baby never crossed Natalia’s mind. She decided to give birth and join the ranks of single mothers.
– Oh, Nat! I feel so sorry for you! It’s all my fault for not watching out for you. I should have explained it all. I know firsthand what it’s like to raise a child alone, and now you are following the same path. You’re repeating my life… — lamented Svetlana, Natalia’s mother, back then.
– Come on, Mum. You raised me, and I can manage. Initially, I’ll take a gap year; then I’ll switch to part-time study. Millions of women do it, and I’m no different! We’ll get by! — Natalia responded confidently.
– Well, yes, you’ll get by… but that’s not exactly the best fate… Men don’t really want other people’s kids. And you’re so young already, with a child to think about!
– Mum, there you go again with your stereotypes. I’m just sure that there’s someone special out there, a man who can love both me and my future child. — Natalia replied with assurance.
– Well, let’s hope so… — Svetlana responded, raising an eyebrow…
…Nine months later, Natalia gave birth to a boy she named Ethan. Life then swept her up at an astonishing pace. First came the expected academic break, followed by part-time studies, work, sessions, exams, retakes, illnesses, nursery school, and birthdays of her little son, one after another. Of course, raising a child alone was incredibly tough for Natalia. She was grateful for her mother’s support during those challenging times.
…By now, Natalia had sent her son off to primary school, received her diploma, and secured a good job, but her personal life was still a mess. Her mother was partly right; men would start to show interest in Natalia. Some she simply did not reciprocate. Others, upon discovering that she had a son, would vanish under various pretenses. Thus, mother and son continued their lives together.
– Nat, have you seen the new head of the construction department? He’s quite something… — her colleague, Lydia, asked playfully.
– No. What is he made of gold? — Natalia replied nonchalantly.
– Well, not gold, but still a handsome chap! You’ll see him at the meeting today; you’ll understand then what I mean.
That day, Natalia, along with other company employees, met the new construction head, Alex Matthews. He turned out to be an attractive young man, athletic and possessing a great sense of humor. He quickly fit into the team and struck up friendly relationships with everyone, especially with Natalia. She felt his unique attention toward her from the very first day.
At first, courteous Alex suggested they grab a cup of coffee together during lunch. Then he went further: he asked her out on a proper date. Natalia agreed but decided she would need to tell him about Ethan before things escalated.
Alex shared that by the age of thirty-three, he had never been married. He had lived with his mother until recently, but had now saved enough for his own flat and was ready to settle down.
Natalia also opened up about her life and carefully mentioned that she was raising her son alone. Alex took it in stride and said he had always dreamed of having a son. Natalia felt reassured, and their romance progressed quite quickly. She introduced her boyfriend to Ethan. They strolled together in the park and went to the cinema. Everything seemed great. Naturally, at that time, both Alex and Ethan acted somewhat reserved around each other. But Natalia optimistically believed they would bond eventually, seeing them as a father and son.
– Nat, what if you moved in with me? — Alex suggested one day.
– I’m not sure, Alex. I’d be open to it, but Ethan… He’ll have to change schools, and I don’t think he’d want to. — Natalia expressed her concerns.
– Whether he wants to or not! You’ve spoiled him rotten, my dear. We just need to tell him that we’re moving and he’s going to a different school. — Alex replied.
– I’m really not sure…
Deep down, Natalia wanted to move in with her beloved, but something kept holding her back, stopping her from taking the plunge into a whole new chapter of her life.
Months went by. Alex brought up the move and the possibility of an official marriage again.
– Alright then, Alex. I’ll talk to Ethan. Maybe we can move over the summer and he can start school in your area in the new academic year.
– Nat, we’ve discussed this. You keep bringing up Ethan. Let’s sort it out between us and simply inform him about it. He’s just a child; it’s not his place to decide where we live. — Alex held firm.
– Alex, I can’t do that. He has all his friends at this school, and his extracurricular activities. I will still talk to him.
Preparing for the big talk with her son, Natalia took her time. But one Saturday, she finally decided to broach this challenging topic.
– Ethan, how would you feel about moving in permanently with Uncle Alex?
– Why would we? — the ten-year-old boy asked, puzzled.
– Well, you see, we love each other, and we’re getting married, and we’ll live as one family.
– Maybe I should just go live with Grandma instead? — Ethan asked, confused.
A brief silence hung in the air.
– No, sweetheart. Why would you go to Grandma’s? First of all, I want to see you every day. Secondly, Grandma isn’t young anymore, and she can’t help you with your homework. No way.
Natalia sensed that Ethan didn’t particularly want to move. Inside her, two emotions fought. On one hand, she loved Alex and yearned to live with him, to fall asleep and wake up beside him. On the other, she genuinely cared for her son and didn’t want to jeopardize their warm, trusting relationship.
– Nat, we filed the papers at the registry office; let’s settle the moving date now. I think the sooner, the better.
– Alex, I spoke with Ethan, and I think he didn’t take it too well… — Natalia began but was cut off by Alex.
– Nat, let me pick him up after school and have a man-to-man talk. You’ve raised him too soft. He’s acting like a little girl: whether to go or not to go…
– Well, good luck with that… — Natalia agreed cautiously.
That evening, Alex was set to bring Ethan home. Natalia was extremely anxious. Deep down, she sincerely hoped the conversation would go smoothly and that Alex would convince their son about moving. She prepared a lovely dinner. However, judging by the mood in which Alex and Ethan returned, the talk hadn’t gone well.
– Nat! Your son is completely ungovernable! — Alex declared as soon as he stepped through the door.
– What brought you to that conclusion? — Natalia asked, watching as Ethan hurried to his room.
– What conclusion?! He threw a tantrum! He’s a boy, acting worse than any girl! We’re moving, end of story! He’ll not twist you around his little finger! I will reform him and turn him into a decent lad!
– Let’s eat. — Natalia suggested.
Alex was already seated at the table, with only Ethan missing, who still hadn’t emerged.
– Ethan, come to dinner, dear. — Natalia called from the kitchen.
– I don’t want to. — Ethan replied.
– Please, quit whining! Honestly, you’re acting like a little girl! You’re getting old enough for this nonsense! You take piano lessons! There’s a boxing club near my place; you can go there instead of your music school! — Alex concluded sternly.
– I’d rather live with Grandma than with you! — Ethan shouted, and Natalia could tell he was crying.
– No more Grandma for you. We’re all living together, end of discussion…
…Natalia and Ethan moved in with Alex. From that moment on, her peaceful life was over, as conflicts flared up in the apartment nearly every day.
– What kind of manner is it to eat with your phone in your hand?! Either put your phone down or leave the table!
– I want to use my phone while I eat! What’s it matter to you?! You’re nobody to me… — Ethan snapped back once more.
– What did you say?! While I’m the head of this household, you will respect me! I never dared to talk back at your age!
– Good grief, what’s the fuss about? I can’t even have a quiet shower; you both just jump down my throat!
– Your son has become completely spoiled!
Ethan left the table, having barely touched his food.
– Nat, should we send him to your mother’s house? — Alex suggested.
– No, Alex. I want my son to live with us.
– Well, then I’m cancelling his holiday trip. I’m not going to put up with his rudeness on holiday, and he should face some consequences for his behavior. So, he won’t be going to the seaside, then.
– Alex, what? I’m not going anywhere without my son! — Natalia declared.
– He’ll be fine; he can stay with your mother and think it over.
– Alex, if this were your child, would you treat him like this?! — Natalia asked unexpectedly.
– Right now, we’re not discussing our future children but Ethan.
– No, Alex, I’m not leaving without my son. Particularly since you said you dreamed of having a boy and were open to kids.
– I didn’t expect it to turn out this way! — Alex countered.
Natalia truly refused to go on holiday without Ethan. Alex sulked and stayed at his mother’s for several days.
One evening, Natalia’s phone rang. The screen displayed her mother-in-law’s number.
– Yes, Irina.
– Natalia, what on earth are you doing? — Irina started without preamble.
– What seems to be the problem?
– You’re planning to marry and already contradicting your future husband?! Alex has been living with me for the past few days and can’t even return home!
– If we’re causing a problem, we can move out. Why didn’t he call me himself?
– Stop pretending to be innocent! You should be grateful a man like him took you on, especially with a child, instead of acting entitled! — Irina let loose.
– Goodbye. Alex is welcome to return to the flat tomorrow. We won’t be here by evening. — Natalia hung up the phone.
After that call, she packed their things. By evening, they were back in their own flat. Alex called that night, trying to mend their relationship, but Natalia decided to end their romance. She withdrew the application from the registry office.
– Well then, live your life with your little son! — Alex said as they parted.
– I will. — Natalia replied, permanently deleting Alex’s number and then changing her job.
Such was the unfortunate story of a family. Though it’s still unclear who truly came out ahead in this tale…
