Mom, imagine thisdads new wife is ill, and they say its something serious.
Ill tell you what happened to me ten years ago. My husband and I raised two daughters, who are now in college. I was looking forward to this stage of life, thinking my husband and I would start fresh. Instead, he made a different choice and cheated on me with his secretary.
Im sorry, I never meant to hurt you, he said, but I love her deeply.
That night he packed his things and left for the woman who was half his age. Our daughters were outraged and stopped speaking to him. It was extremely painful for me, especially as the younger woman kept trying to mediate in various ways. I want to erase that year from my memory because time didnt heal my wounds; it only taught me to live with them. I began devoting more time to my hobby, cultivating rare plants and selling them. That pastime kept me from sinking into depression.
Eventually my daughters reconciled with their father and occasionally told me about his new life. He was happy with the woman, and later she gave birth to his son.
Mom, can you believe it? Shes sick, and they say its serious.
Girls, stop talking about them, I warned, I dont like it. I still loved my husband, and the thought of him with another woman weighed heavily on me. Years passed, and I still considered him my husband.
One Saturday morning I woke up to a figure standing above me. I thought I was dreaming, but then my husband spoke in a trembling voice: Im sorry, I know its early. I just dont know what to do with the boy. He was old, his hair silvered. Behind him stood a small child. I realized it was their son.
My wife passed away last night, he continued, I have to arrange the funeral, our girls are working, and I cant take him. Hes too young.
The boy was preschoolaged. I was confused, stared at the child, and he immediately asked:
Are you my aunt?
No, I replied sharply, wanting to end the conversation.
My mother said she had no one.
I never knew your mother.
He was so sweet that I understood the child was innocent, and I decided to help my exhusband.
Do you like oatmeal? Come with me to the kitchen, have breakfast, and then dad will pick you up.
I made coffee for myself and oatmeal for the boy. Watching him reminded me of my own daughters when they were little. We spent the morning watching cartoons and reading old girls books. He was kind and clever.
From then on my husband began bringing his son to my house, and we became close friends. My daughters arent thinking about having kids yet, so the boy has become like a grandson to me.
Two years have passed since his wifes death, and he recently asked me to move in together. Deep down I want it, because I picture an ideal family in my mind Yet the hurt still lingers, and Im not sure I can trust him again.
If we cant make it work, it will only harm the child. I dont know what to do. I love them both, but the fear of being deceived again never leaves me.
