– What’s this habit of eating with your phone in hand? Either put it away or leave the table! — Alex shouted at his stepson once again.
– I want to eat with my phone! What’s it to you?! You’re nobody to me… — retorted ten-year-old Ethan.
– What did you say?! I’m the one in charge in this house, so show me some respect and listen! I never dared to talk back to my parents at your age! — Alex thundered, and Ethan stormed out of the dining room, slamming the door to his room.
– What’s all this fuss about now? I can’t even have a shower in peace; you two always clash! I’m so tired of this! — Natalia, Ethan’s mother, said as she emerged from the bathroom.
– Your son has completely lost his manners! No discipline whatsoever! This is your fault, you know! — Alex yelled in frustration at his wife.
Natalia walked into the kitchen and sat down. She removed the fluffy towel she had wrapped around her head moments ago. Rubbing her face with it, she looked at her husband, then sighed and lowered her eyes…
…At eighteen, Natalia became pregnant by a classmate. There wasn’t much love involved; they were just dating. She informed the young man of the pregnancy, and he, in turn, told his parents. They acted quickly, transferring him to a university on the other side of the country, while handing Natalia money for an abortion.
The thought of terminating the pregnancy never crossed Natalia’s mind. She chose to give birth and join the ranks of single mothers.
– Oh, Natalia! I feel so sorry for you! It’s all my fault for not guiding you. I experienced firsthand what it’s like to raise a child alone, and now you’re following the same path… — lamented Svetlana, Natalia’s mother, back then.
– Come on, Mum. You raised me, and I can manage. I’ll take a gap year first, then switch to part-time study. Millions of women do it, and I can too! We’ll get by! — Natalia responded with determination.
– Oh, you’ll get by… but it’s not the best fate… Men don’t really want someone else’s kids. And you’re starting so young with baggage!
– Mum, you always cling to your stereotypes. I believe there is a man out there who can love both me and my future child. — Natalia replied confidently.
– Well, let’s hope so… — Svetlana said meaningfully…
…Nine months later, Natalia gave birth to a boy she decided to name Ethan. Life then sped up at an incredible pace. Initially, as expected, she took a gap year from university. Then came part-time studies, work, exams, resits, illnesses, nursery, and birthday celebrations for her little son, one after another. Raising a child alone was incredibly challenging for Natalia. She was grateful to her mother, who stood by her during tough times and helped whenever she could.
…By the time Natalia enrolled Ethan in his first year of school, she had graduated and secured a good job, but her personal life remained unfulfilled. Her mother was partly right in her views about men. Sometimes, men would express interest in Natalia. Some she didn’t reciprocate; others disappeared upon learning about her son. So, it had been just the two of them living together.
– Nat, have you seen the new construction manager? What a catch… — asked her colleague, Larissa, playfully.
– No. Is he made of gold or something? — Natalia replied indifferently.
– Well, not made of gold… but he’s quite handsome! He’ll be at the meeting today; you’ll see for yourself. Then you’ll understand what I mean.
That day, Natalia, like the other company employees, met the new head of the construction department. Alex turned out to be an attractive young man with a sporty build and a great sense of humor. He quickly integrated into the team, forged friendly relationships with coworkers, but seemed particularly fond of Natalia. She sensed his special attention from day one.
Initially, the courteous Alex suggested they grab a coffee together during lunch. From there, things escalated quickly: he asked her out on their first date. Natalia agreed but resolved to inform him about Ethan right from the start.
Alex shared that he was thirty-three and had never been married. Until recently, he lived with his mother. After saving up for his own flat, he was now ready to settle down.
Natalia also shared her background and carefully mentioned that she was raising her son alone. Alex took it well, expressing that he had always dreamed of having a son. Feeling reassured, their romantic relationship moved forward rapidly. Natalia introduced Alex to her son, and they enjoyed outings together to the park and the cinema. Things were generally going well. However, both Alex and Ethan were somewhat distant from each other. Natalia firmly believed they would bond, ideally becoming as close as father and son.
– Nat, what if you move in with me? — Alex suggested one day.
– I’m not sure, Alex. I’d be open to it, but Ethan… He’d have to change schools, and he probably wouldn’t want to. — Natalia voiced her concerns.
– Well, if he doesn’t want to, that’s too bad! You’ve spoiled him, darling. We’ll just tell him we’re moving, and that’s that. He needs to face the fact that he’s going to a new school. — Alex replied.
– I don’t know…
Natalia genuinely wanted to move in with her beloved, but something held her back, preventing her from making that significant change in her life.
Several months went by. Alex brought up the topic of relocating and the wedding again.
– All right, Alex. I’ll talk to Ethan. Maybe we could move over the summer and he could start school in your area.
– Nat, we’ve already talked about this. Why do you keep bringing Ethan into it? Let’s settle this between us; he’s just a kid, and he doesn’t get to decide where or with whom to live. — Alex insisted.
– Alex, I can’t handle it that way. He’s my son; all his friends are at that school, and he has activities. I must discuss this with him.
Natalia took a long time to prepare for an upcoming conversation with her son. But one Saturday, she decided it was time to bring this delicate subject up.
– Ethan, what do you think about us moving in with Uncle Alex?
– Why? — the ten-year-old asked, confused.
– Well, you see, we love each other, and we’re going to get married and live as one family.
– Maybe I should just move in with Grandma? — Ethan replied, bewildered.
A brief silence hung in the air.
– No, sweetheart. Why would you move in with Grandma? First of all, I want to see you every day. Secondly, she’s not very young anymore, and you’ll need help with your homework and cooking. No.
Natalia sensed that Ethan wasn’t keen on the idea of moving. Inside her, two feelings were wrestling. On one hand, she adored Alex and desired a life with him in one flat, sharing bedtime and morning routines. On the other hand, she genuinely loved her son and didn’t want to jeopardize their warm, trusting relationship.
– Nat, we’ve submitted the application at the registry office; let’s sort out the moving date. The sooner it happens, the better.
– Alex, I’ve spoken to Ethan. He seems to have taken it… — Natalia started, but Alex interrupted her.
– Nat, I’ll pick him up from school and talk to him like a man. You’ve spoiled him too much. He acts like a delicate little thing: “Maybe I’ll go, maybe I won’t”…
– Well, give it a try… — Natalia replied cautiously.
In the evening, Alex was supposed to bring Ethan home. Natalia felt incredibly anxious that night. Deep down, she hoped everything would go smoothly and Alex would persuade her son to agree to the move. She prepared a lovely dinner, but judging by their demeanor when they arrived, the conversation hadn’t gone well.
– Nat! Your son is completely undisciplined! — Alex declared as he entered.
– What brought you to that conclusion? — Natalia asked, watching Ethan dash straight to his room.
– What do you mean “what brought me to that conclusion?” Are you serious?! He threw such a tantrum! He’s a boy but worse than any girl! We’re moving, end of story! Or else he’ll tie you in knots! I’ll straighten him out and make a proper lad out of him!
– Let’s have dinner. — Natalia suggested.
Alex was already seated at the table, waiting for Ethan, who still hadn’t left his room.
– Ethan, come to dinner. — Natalia called from the kitchen.
– I don’t want to. — Ethan replied.
– Well, you can keep sulking! Honestly, you act like a child! You’re old enough for this nonsense! He’s taking piano lessons! There’s a boxing class right by my house; that’s where you’ll go instead of your music school! — Alex declared sternly.
– I’d rather live with Grandma than with you! — Ethan shouted, and Natalia could tell he was crying.
– No Grandma for you. We’re living together now, and that’s final…
…Natalia and Ethan moved in with Alex. From that point, Natalia’s peaceful life came to an end, as arguments erupted in the flat almost every day.
– What’s this habit of eating with your phone in hand? Either put it away or leave the table!
– I want to eat with my phone! What’s it to you?! You’re nobody to me… — Ethan snapped back.
– What did you just say?! I am the owner of this house; show me some respect and listen! I never talked back to my parents at your age!
– What’s bugging you this time? I can’t even have a shower in peace; you’re always at each other’s throats!
– Your son has completely lost his manners!
Ethan left the table, leaving his portion untouched.
– Nat, maybe we should send him to your mother’s? — Alex suggested.
– No, Alex. I want my son to live with us.
– Well, then I’ll cancel the trip voucher tomorrow. I won’t put up with his rudeness on vacation, and he needs to face some consequences for his behavior. So, he won’t be going to the coast.
– Alex, what are you saying? I’m not going anywhere without my son! — Natalia declared.
– Nothing will happen to him; he can stay with your mother and think it over.
– Alex, if he were your child, would you treat him the same way?! — Natalia suddenly asked.
– This isn’t about our potential children; it’s about Ethan.
– No, Alex, I’m not going anywhere without my son. Especially since you said you’ve always dreamed of having a son and aren’t against children.
– I didn’t think it would be like this! — Alex replied.
Natalia stubbornly refused to go on holiday without Ethan. Alex sulked and stayed at his mother’s for several nights.
One evening, Natalia received a phone call from her mother-in-law.
– Yes, Irina.
– Natalia, what’s going on? — her mother-in-law began without preamble.
– What’s wrong?
– You’re about to get married and already contradicting your future husband?! Alex has been staying at my place for days; he can’t go back to his flat!
– If we’re bothering him, we can move. Why hasn’t he called himself?
– Stop pretending to be the innocent party! You should be grateful that such a man, baggage and all, wants you, and you’re trying to act all high and mighty! — her mother-in-law blurted out.
– Goodbye. Alex can return to the flat tomorrow. We won’t be there by evening. — Natalia hung up.
After that conversation, she packed their things. By evening, they were back in their own flat. Alex called later, attempting to reconcile, but Natalia chose to end the relationship. She withdrew her application from the registry office.
– Well, go on and live your life with your precious son! — Alex said in parting.
– And I will. — Natalia replied, permanently deleting Alex’s number and later switching jobs.
Such is the tale of a somewhat unsuccessful family story. Though it’s still unclear who fared better in this saga…
