Dear Diary,
What on earth is this habit of eating with your phone in hand?! Either put your phone away or leave the table! — Alex shouted at his stepson for what felt like the hundredth time.
—I want to eat with my phone! What’s it to you?! You’re nobody to me… — retorted ten-year-old Ethan defiantly.
—What did you say?! As long as I’m in this house, I expect you to respect me and listen! When I was your age, I never dared talk back to my parents! — thundered Alex, causing Ethan to stomp out of the dining room and slam the door to his room.
—What is it this time? I can’t even have a moment to myself! I’m so exhausted with all this! — came the voice of Natalia, Ethan’s mother, as she emerged from the bathroom.
—Your son has completely lost all sense of discipline! Zero manners! This is your fault too, you know! — Alex snapped angrily at his wife.
Natalia took a seat at the kitchen table, unraveled the towel from her head, and wiped her face with it. She glanced at Alex, sighed, and lowered her eyes…
At eighteen, Natalia had found herself pregnant with a classmate. There was no grand love story—just a casual relationship. She told the guy about the baby, and he quickly informed his parents. They swiftly relocated him to a university on the other side of the country and handed Natalia money for an abortion.
Not once did Natalia consider terminating the pregnancy. Instead, she decided to bring the baby into the world, embracing the path of being a single mother.
—Oh, Natalia! I feel so sorry for you! It’s all my fault for not guiding you properly. I should have explained things to you. I know firsthand how difficult it is to raise a child alone, and now you’re walking the same road as I did, repeating my mistakes… — lamented Svetlana, her mother.
—Oh come on, Mum. You raised me to be strong, and I can handle this. I’ll take an academic year off and then switch to part-time study. Millions of women manage; I’ll be just fine! – Natalia reassured her mother.
—You’ll manage, sure… but that’s not necessarily the best path… Men aren’t all that interested in someone else’s children. And you’re going to be a young mother burdened with a child!
—Mum, you’re stuck on those old stereotypes. I truly believe that the right man is out there, and he’ll love both me and my child. — Natalia replied confidently.
—Well, let’s hope so… — Svetlana sighed, her tone heavy with doubt.
About nine months later, Natalia gave birth to a baby boy whom she named Ethan. Life took off at a dizzying pace thereafter. As expected, she took her academic leave, switched to part-time studies, began working, and juggled exams, illnesses, and her son’s birthdays. It was undeniably hard for Natalia to raise a child on her own. She was grateful for her mother, who supported her through those tough times.
Eventually, Natalia enrolled Ethan in his first year of school, earned her diploma, and landed a good job. However, her personal life remained unsettled. Svetlana’s concerns about men turned out to have some merit. While men showed interest in Natalia, she often found herself not reciprocating. And those who learned that she had a son quickly disappeared under various pretenses. Thus, it was just the two of them for a long while.
—Natalie, have you seen the new manager at construction? He’s quite something! — her colleague, Lila, asked playfully.
—No. What’s he made of, gold? — Natalia said dismissively.
—Well, not literally gold, but he’s quite handsome! He’s leading the team meeting today, you’ll see him then and understand what I mean.
Later that same day, like the rest of her colleagues, Natalia met the new construction manager, Alex. He turned out to be a charming young man with a fit physique and a great sense of humor. Surprisingly, he integrated into the company swiftly and developed friendly relationships, with a notable fondness for Natalia that she sensed from day one.
Initially, courteous Alex suggested they have coffee together during lunch. Later, he invited her out on a date. Natalia agreed, but resolved to mention Ethan early on, just so there were no surprises.
Alex shared that at thirty-three, he was still single, having recently moved out of his mother’s home after saving for his own flat and was now ready to settle down.
Natalia, in turn, mentioned her situation as a single mother. Alex took it well and shared that he had always dreamed of having a son. Feeling reassured, their romance quickly blossomed. She introduced Alex to Ethan, and they started spending weekends at the park and going to the cinema together. So far, everything seemed fine, although both Alex and Ethan remained somewhat distant. Natalia genuinely believed they would eventually bond, and ideally, become a close-knit family.
—Natalie, what if you moved in with me? — Alex began one day.
—I’m not sure, Alex. I wouldn’t mind, but Ethan… he’d have to change schools, and I doubt he’d like that, — Natalia shared her thoughts.
—Whether he likes it or not! You’ve spoiled him, love. We’ll just have to tell him he’s moving and that he’ll be going to a new school. — Alex replied confidently.
—I just don’t know…
Deep down, Natalia wanted to move in with her beloved partner, but something held her back from fully embracing this new chapter.
Months rolled by, and Alex broached the subject of moving and getting married again.
—Alright, Alex. I’ll talk to Ethan. Perhaps we could relocate over the summer, and he could start school in your area in the new term.
—Natalie, we’ve talked about this. Why do you keep bringing Ethan into this? Let’s make the decision between us and simply inform him afterward. He’s just a child and it’s not up to him to decide where we live. — Alex insisted.
—Alex, I can’t. He’s my son, and all his friends are at that school, plus he has his activities there. I’m going to talk to him.
Preparations for talking to Ethan took time. But one Saturday, she finally decided to tackle the difficult conversation.
—Ethan, how would you feel about us moving in with Uncle Alex for good?
—Why would we do that? — Ethan asked, confusion clouding his expression.
—Well, you see, Alex and I love each other, and we’re going to get married and live together as one family.
—Couldn’t I just move in with Grandma instead? — Ethan suggested, taken aback.
There was a pregnant pause.
—No, sweetheart. Why would you go to Grandma’s? First, I want to see you every day. Second, Grandma isn’t young anymore; she won’t be able to help you with homework or cooking. No, that’s not happening.
Natalia knew Ethan was reluctant about moving. Inside, she wrestled with two conflicting emotions. On one hand, she loved Alex and wanted to share a life with him, falling asleep and waking up together. On the other hand, she cherished her relationship with her son and didn’t want to jeopardize their warmth and trust.
—Natalie, we’ve submitted the application for marriage, so let’s finalise the moving date. The sooner, the better.
—Alex, I spoke to Ethan. It seems he has his reservations… — she started, but Alex interrupted.
—Natalie, let me pick him up from school and have a proper chat with him. You’ve spoiled him too much. He’s behaving like a little diva—‘maybe I will, maybe I won’t.’
—Well, give it a go… — Natalie agreed cautiously.
That evening, Alex was due back at their flat with Ethan. Natalia felt nervous as she prepared their dinner. Deep inside, she hoped things would go smoothly and that Alex would manage to convince Ethan about the move. The aroma of a delicious dinner filled the kitchen, yet the mood upon their return indicated that the discussion hadn’t gone well.
—Natalie! Your son is completely unruly! — Alex proclaimed as he walked in.
—What makes you say that? — Natalia asked, watching Ethan hurry to his room.
—What makes me say that? You’re seriously asking?! He threw a tantrum! He’s a boy but worse than a girl! We’re moving, end of story! He doesn’t get a say in it! But I’ll teach him to behave properly!
—Let’s just have dinner, — Natalia suggested gently.
Alex sat down at the table, waiting for Ethan, who was still hiding away in his room.
—Ethan, sweetheart, it’s time for dinner. — Natalia called out.
—I don’t want any! — Ethan shouted back.
—Oh, come on! Stop whining! You’re ten, for heaven’s sake! Get it together! He plays piano, and he can attend the boxing club next to my house instead of that music school. — Alex shot back harshly.
—I’d rather live with Grandma than with you! — Ethan yelled, and Natalia could hear the tears in his voice.
—No Grandma for you. We are all living together, period.
Eventually, Natalia and Ethan moved in with Alex. From that point on, her previously tranquil life turned into a constant whirlwind of arguments in the new flat that erupted daily.
—What’s with the phone at the table?! Either put it away or get up and leave!
—I want to and use my phone! What’s your problem?! You’re no one to me… — Ethan snapped back.
—What did you just say?! I’m the one in charge here, and you will respect me! I never talked back to my parents at your age!
—What’s the fuss about this time? I can’t even take a moment to myself anymore! I’m so tired of all this!
—Your son has completely lost all sense of decorum! — Alex bellowed.
Ethan got up from the table without finishing his food.
—Natalie, maybe we should send him to your mother’s? — Alex suggested wearily.
—No, Alex. I want my son to live with us.
—Then I’ll cancel his trip tomorrow. I don’t want to put up with his disrespect during the holidays, and he has to face the consequences of his behaviour. That way, he won’t go to the beach as a part of the ‘learning experience.’
—Alex, you can’t be serious? I can’t go anywhere without Ethan! — Natalia stated firmly.
—He’ll be fine; he can stay with your mother and think about his actions.
—Alex, would you do the same if this were your child? — Natalia challenged him unexpectedly.
—Right now, we’re not talking about our future children, but about Ethan!
—No, Alex, I refuse to leave my son behind. Plus, you said you always wanted kids and were open to having a family.
—I never thought it would be like this! — Alex exclaimed.
In the end, Natalia refused to go on holiday without her son. Alex, upset, stayed at his mother’s for a few days.
One evening, Natalia’s phone rang. It was her mother-in-law, Irina.
—Hi, Irina Konstantinovna.
—Natalia, what on earth are you doing? — came the immediate inquiry.
—What’s the problem?
—Are you planning to marry and already defying your future husband? Alex has been living with me for days; he can’t return home!
—If we’re such a bother, we can leave. Why hasn’t he called me himself?
—Please stop acting innocent! You should be glad a man of his calibre has chosen you with all your baggage, but instead, you’re challenging him? — Irina scolded.
—Goodbye. Alex can come back to our flat. We won’t be there by evening. — Natalia hung up.
After that conversation, she gathered their things, and later that evening, they were back at their own home. Alex attempted to rebuild their relationship through calls, but Natalia refused to continue their romantic involvement and withdrew the marriage application.
—Well, enjoy your life with your little boy! — Alex said as they parted ways.
—And I will, — Natalia replied, permanently deleting Alex’s number, and eventually finding a new job.
That’s how a rather unfortunate family story unfolded. Though I wonder who truly came out ahead in this tale…
