My first series Buttonnose was more than fulfilling when i wrote it. With all the positive feedback and comments I had for it, some have especially touched my heart due to their sincere appreciation they voiced to me. This new series I am submitting is a 'Thank you' for all those who have enjoyed my earlier work. As usual your feedbacks and comments are most welcome. Since I was uncertain about the anonymity of certain emails, i chose not to respond. But be assured, your positive comments meant a lot to me.
I don't know how long this series is going to be, or how it will shape itself as i go along. So ideas and thoughts are welcome especially from moms and older women who had enjoyed my Buttonnose series and written to me. Do let me know if you wish a reply when you send your emails. Discretion will be respected. I have completed a few chapters but I am still editing them. Hope you enjoy reading it just as much as i have enjoyed writing it.
For those who had commented about my writing style I would like to say, art is neither right or wrong. It is just art. So if some people fail to understand the perspectives of certain forms of art, it is not the artist to be corrected. I believe this forum is for the imaginative soul.
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The wonder years
After the summer had ended, I was on my way back to live with my dad. The two months I had spent what my mom had been memorable. As usual Mom had made sure we had a good time. But this time there was something more that was warming my heart. For the first time ever since my parents had separated and this arrangement was made, mom had brought the topic of how she missed me for the rest of the time during the year when I was not around. After my parents divorced, it was arranged that I complete my schooling with my dad who had agreed to pay for it on the condition that I live with him. Mom has always been very hurt with his cunning act. Since she had given up her career to look after me, after the divorce she was not in the position to fund my schooling or look after me. My dad had used that as a trick to put extreme emotional pressure on mom and claim my custody and so it had been arranged 'for my benefit' that I would spend my holidays with mom and live with dad. That was when I was about 13. Till then my memories about a happy family are fuzzy. Mom used to be there for me. I guess that was the only sweet part. The few things I do remember are the rows my parents had at times.
These past few years have been weird if that's the appropriate word. Dad had been seeing someone in the last two years and I had felt upset about it. I had told my mom about it and she had not said anything.
But this time around during my visit, she said to me, "You are 18 now. You can choose where you wish to live. I am slowly managing to make a living for myself with the new job I have got. If your dad pays for part of your college, I don't think it should be a problem for you to live with me."
"Do you think dad will be ok with that?" I asked with hesitation.
"Do you want to live with me?"
"Yes. I like it with you now. We have such a good time." I smiled.
"Then it is not up to him anymore. You are old enough to make your decision."
"I would love to be with you, mom."
"I would love to have you with me. I miss you so much when you are gone."
Her eyes had the warmth to melt my heart. The wetness in the eyes was more tender than the rose petals.
"I will speak with him when I go back this time."
That is what I had been going over my mind for the length of the journey back home – the good time I had spent with mom. She had always made me feel special. After the divorce, she had been hurt and had withdrawn too much. It was only my visits in the holidays that she looked forward. Every time it had been a time to treasure.
When I got home, a few days after I had settled in, I broke the news to dad. He was very upset at first. Then he started arguing with me. Then he said, "Did your mom put you through this? Did she tell you things?"
"No. It is nothing to do with her." I said to him in a strong voice trying to defend mom. "I want to live with her. It is my life now and I don't feel comfortable living here."
"Did Stacey say anything to you?" Stacey was his new girlfriend. They were planning to get engaged soon.
"No. It is not that. But now that she is here, I want to live with mom. I don't see why I can't."
Dad was silent and said, "Lets deal with it later sometime. You need to sleep now. You must be tired."
At night I lay in bed staring in the dark room at the ceiling. My eyes partly closed, my mind wandering around with mom. I was going through the last day I spent with her on the beach. She had arranged a holiday for me at a holiday resort. It had been magical to be with mom this time around. I wasn't sure what it was that made it so good. I didn't know why I felt it more pleasurable this time around compared to all those few years before. There was something special that I had felt this time. May be I was just growing up and becoming more aware of my emotions. I certainly had never felt like this before.
A few weeks later, I got a call from mom. She was sobbing.
"I miss you very much."
"I will be there soon for the Christmas mom." I tried consoling her.
"I don't wish to get cross with your dad but I miss you too much."
"Did you speak to your dad about living with me?"
"Yes I have spoken to him. He doesn't like it but I think he knows there is no choice."
"Yes, he did seem upset."
"Did he speak to you?"
Mom was quiet for a while.
"He didn't call you did he?"
"er, no, no.. he didn't."
"He has hasn't he? What did he say to you? Tell me." I got really upset. I knew something was up.
"Nothing. He said nothing."
"Mom don't lie to me. I need to know the truth."
"I don't want to loose you my love. I cant live without you." My mom kept sobbing on the phone.
"Did he threaten you?" My dad had always overpowered my mom in such matters.
"No. no."
"Mom tell me the truth or else I will not be very pleased with you." I said firmly
"He just said that I had brain washed you. I denied it. You know I haven't said anything like that. All I had asked for is for you to consider living with me."
"Mom. Just stop crying for now. I promise you, you will have me there next year."
There was a moment of silence. The sobbing has suddenly stopped.
"What are you saying?" my mom said in a slow voice.
"I wont tell you anything now. Just wait till I get there for Christmas. Can you do that for me?"
"You know I will do anything for you."
"Then just hold on a few more months. How are you anyway?"
"I miss you dear, just as always."
I could feel her heart warming already.
"I miss you too, mom. I got to go now. I will try to call you later during the weekend. Ok?"
"Ok honey. Talk to you later. Eat well and take care of yourself for me."
"Will do, mom. Bye now."
When I had hung up, I was really angry for what my dad had done. I realised he was trying to overpower and pressure my mom with his bullying. He had done that in the past. But now I was not going to let him get away like this. I knew it would just get ugly if I said anything more to him. He was overpowering enough to plot a scheme to hinder me going to my mom. So I decided to keep my plans to myself. I was going to act on them on my own accord when the time was right. I knew I had to get him at his own game.
The first weekend of Christmas break was more than blissful. It was cold outside and I had enjoyed staying in with my mom. She cooked all my favourite meals.
"You are bad for me." I said to her one afternoon while we were enjoying our meal.
"You are the only one for me" she smiled back.
I had seen the twinkle of true love in those warm eyes.
"You don't want a fat son do you?"
"Healthy eating isn't bad for you. And I like my man with flesh. I don't like skeletons." She smiled with a wink.
"I wonder what else you like." I smiled back with a sly stare.
"Stay with me and you can find out."
"Oh I intend to." I smiled at her. "I miss you too you know."
"Not as much as I miss you." She looked straight at me. The stare pierced my heart.
We had spent time in front of the fireplace, sipping on some punch and some Baileys.
"You haven't been seeing anyone." I said quietly. My eyes were keen to follow the gaze on her face.
"I am not interested."