– What on earth is your problem with eating while glued to that phone? Either put it down or leave the table! — shouted Alex yet again at his stepson.
– I want to eat with my phone! Why do you care? You’re nobody to me… — the ten-year-old Ethan snapped back.
– What did you just say? As long as I’m in this house, I’m the boss here, and you’d better respect me and listen! In my day, I wouldn’t even dream of talking back to my parents! — roared Alex, while Ethan shot out from the table and slammed the door to his room.
– What’s going on now? I can’t even have a quiet shower without you two bickering! I’m so tired of all this! — came Natalia, Ethan’s mother, from the bathroom.
– Your son has become completely spoiled! No discipline! This is all your fault, by the way! — Alex exploded in frustration at his wife.
Natalia made her way to the kitchen and sat down on a chair. She took off the fluffy towel she’d wrapped around her head moments ago and wiped her face wearily. She looked at her husband, sighed, and lowered her eyes…
…At eighteen, Natalia had gotten pregnant by a classmate. There wasn’t any great love involved—just casual dating. She told the boy about the baby, and he rushed to tell his parents. They reacted quickly, sending him to a university on the other side of the country while giving Natalia money for an abortion.
However, Natalia had no intention of getting rid of the baby. She decided to have it and join the ranks of single mothers.
– Oh, Nat! I feel so sorry for you! It’s my fault for not watching over you. I should have explained it better. I know what it’s like to raise a child on my own, and you’re heading down the same path. You’re repeating my destiny… — lamented Svetlana, Natalia’s mother.
– Come on, Mum. You raised me, and I can manage. I’ll take a year off from uni, then switch to distance learning. Millions of women do it, and I can too! We’ll get by! — replied Natalia confidently.
– Well, you’ll get by, but it’s not exactly the best fate… Men aren’t usually keen on taking on someone else’s child. And you’re the young mum with baggage already!
– Mum, you really need to ditch those stereotypes. I’m certain the right man is out there who will love both me and my future child, — Natalia assured her mother.
– Well, let’s hope so… — Svetlana replied, leaving it hanging…
…Nine months later, Natalia gave birth to a boy whom she named Ethan. From then on, life sped ahead at a dizzying pace. First came her academic break, then distance learning, jobs, exams, re-sits, diseases, nursery, and one birthday party for little Ethan after another. Raising her child alone was, of course, a tough challenge for Natalia. Thankfully, her mother stepped in to help whenever she could.
…By now, Natalia had sent her son off to primary school, received her degree, and landed a decent job, but her personal life was still a mess. Her mother’s theories about men were somewhat accurate. Occasionally, men showed interest in Natalia. Some she simply didn’t reciprocate, while others disappeared as soon as they found out about her son. So, she continued living with just Ethan.
– Nat, did you see the new manager in construction? What a catch! — her colleague, Larissa, asked playfully.
– No. Is he made of gold or something? — Natalia asked disinterestedly.
– Well, whether made of gold or not, he’s a right looker! You’ll see him at the meeting today—then you’ll understand what I mean.
That same day, Natalia, along with her colleagues, met the new construction manager, Alex. He turned out to be a fit young man with a great sense of humor. He quickly integrated with the team and seemed to particularly take a shine to Natalia, something she felt from day one.
First, the courteous Alex suggested they grab a coffee during lunch. Then he invited her out for their first date. Natalia agreed but firmly decided she needed to mention Ethan before things went any further.
In sharing about himself, Alex revealed that he had yet to marry at thirty-three. He had just moved out of his mother’s house and saved up for a place of his own and was now ready to marry.
Natalia shared her situation as well, carefully stating that she was raising her son alone. Alex remained calm, saying he had always dreamed of having a son. Natalia relaxed, and their romance unfolded rapidly. She introduced her new beau to Ethan; they all went for walks in the park and to the cinema together. It seemed to be going well. However, both Alex and Ethan were still a bit distant. Natalia wholeheartedly believed they would bond and, ideally, become as close as a father and son should be.
– Nat, how about you move in with me? — Alex suggested one day.
– I don’t know, Alex. I mean, I wouldn’t mind, but Ethan… He’ll have to change schools, and I don’t think he would like that. — Natalia voiced her concerns.
– Well, whether he likes it or not! You’ve spoiled him, my dear. We’ll just have to tell him we’re moving and that he’s going to a new school. — Alex replied.
– I’m not so sure…
Natalia genuinely wanted to move in with her beloved man, but something held her back from taking that giant leap into a new life.
A few more months passed. Alex brought up the idea of moving again, along with plans to officially tie the knot.
– Alright, Alex. I’ll talk to Ethan. Maybe we can relocate over the summer, and he can start at a new school in the autumn.
– Nat, we’ve discussed this already! Why keep bringing up Ethan? Let’s sort this between ourselves, and then just inform him. He’s just a kid! It’s not up to him where we live! — Alex insisted.
– Alex, I just can’t do that! He’s my son, and all his friends are here at this school, not to mention his clubs! I will absolutely discuss this with him.
Natalia prepared for the upcoming chat with her son for a long time. Finally, one Saturday, she decided to tackle the tough topic.
– Ethan, how would you feel about us moving in with Uncle Alex permanently?
– Why would we do that? — asked Ethan, puzzled.
– Well, you see, Alex and I love each other, we’re getting married, and we’ll be one big happy family!
– Maybe I should just move in with Grandma then? — Ethan suggested, bewildered.
A rather awkward silence hung in the air.
– No, sweetheart. No way am I letting you go to Grandma’s. First, I want to see you every day. And second, Grandma isn’t that spry anymore; I’d need you to help with your homework and cooking! No way.
Natalia felt deep down that Ethan wasn’t really excited about moving. Two feelings were clashing within her. On one hand, she loved Alex and longed to live with him, to fall asleep and wake up together. On the other hand, she truly adored her son and didn’t want to jeopardize their warm, trusting relationship.
– Nat, we’ve submitted the marriage application; let’s sort out the moving date. The sooner, the better in my opinion.
– Alex, I talked to Ethan. I think he took it rather… — Natalia didn’t finish because Alex interrupted her.
– Nat, let me pick him up after school and talk man to man. You’ve spoiled him far too much. He acts like some delicate flower: choosing whether to go or not…
– Well, good luck with that… — Natalia agreed warily.
That evening, Alex was meant to bring Ethan home. Natalia was quite anxious. Deep down, she hoped everything would go smoothly and that Alex would persuade their son about the move. She prepared a lovely dinner, but judging by the mood Alex and Ethan brought home, it seemed their discussion hadn’t gone too well.
– Nat! Your son is utterly undisciplined! — Alex announced almost immediately as he walked in.
– What makes you say that? — Natalia asked, watching Ethan hurry into his room.
– What makes me say? Are you really asking?! He threw a fit! He’s a lad but acts worse than a girl! We’re moving, end of story! Or else he’ll throw a wobbly! But I’ll straighten him out and raise him to be a proper boy!
– Let’s eat dinner first, — suggested Natalia.
Alex had already sat down at the table; they were just waiting for Ethan to come out from the room.
– Ethan, come to dinner. — Natalia shouted, not leaving the kitchen.
– I don’t want to, — Ethan replied.
– Oh, come on with your whining! Honestly, you’re nearly ten, grow up a bit! You’re learning piano! There’s a boxing gym near my house; you’ll go there instead of that music school, — Alex concluded sternly.
– I’d rather live with Grandma than with you! — Ethan shouted back, and Natalia could tell he was crying.
– No, no Grandma for you. We’re all living together, period…
…Natalia and Ethan moved in with Alex. Ever since, her peaceful life vanished, as dramas erupted in their new home practically every day.
– What on earth is your problem with eating while glued to that phone? Either put it down or leave the table!
– I want to eat with my phone! Why do you care? You’re nobody to me… — the ten-year-old Ethan snapped back.
– What did you just say? While I’m the man of this house, I deserve your respect and obedience! In my day, I wouldn’t dream of backtalking my parents!
– What are you two fighting over now? I can’t even have a relaxing shower without you butting in!
– Your son is completely spoiled!
Ethan left the table half-eaten portion.
– Nat, maybe we should just send him to your mother’s? — Alex suggested.
– No, Alex. I want my son to live with us.
– In that case, I’m cancelling his holiday. I won’t tolerate his rudeness during a vacation, and he needs to face some consequences for his behavior. That way, he won’t go to the seaside this year—it’s preventive measures!
– Alex, what on earth? I’m not going anywhere without my son! — Natalia declared.
– He’ll be fine; he can stay with your mother for a while and think things through.
– Alex, if it were your child, would you handle it the same way?! — Natalia asked unexpectedly.
– We’re not talking about our future kids; we’re talking about Ethan.
– No, Alex, I won’t go anywhere without Ethan. And didn’t you say you’ve always dreamed of having a son?
– I didn’t think it would be like this! — Alex stated firmly.
Natalia flatly refused to go on vacation without her son. Alex took umbrage and spent a few nights at his mother’s.
One evening, Natalia received a call from Alex’s mother.
– Yes, Mary.
– What on earth are you doing, Natalia? — Mary began without preamble.
– What’s happened?
– You’re about to get married and are already defying your future husband?! Alex has been staying at my place for days; he can’t go home!
– If our presence is a problem, we can just move out. Why hasn’t he called me himself?
– Enough pretending to be the innocent party! You should be grateful that someone like him took you on with a child, and yet you’re arguing with him! — Mary erupted.
– Goodbye. Alex can come back home tomorrow. We won’t be here by evening. — Natalia hung up the phone.
After that conversation, she packed their things. By evening, they were back in their flat. Alex called and tried to mend things, but Natalia refused to continue the relationship. She withdrew the marriage application from the registry office.
– Well, good luck living with your precious little son for the rest of your life! — Alex remarked as a parting shot.
– I will, — replied Natalia, deleting Alex’s number for good, and later changed jobs.
And that is the story of a not-so-successful family saga. Although it’s still unclear who got the better ending here…
