My mother has been my rock, and seeing her lose her old self after my father’s passing was something that devastated me. I tried my best to make her go out with friends and even start dating again, but she refused. Eventually, she met someone and got married. She seemed genuinely happy after a long time, but her honeymoon changed everything.
When my dad passed, my mom had a hard time coping with the grief that settled in her heart. She spent her days alone despite my constant pleas to come live with me.
Ten years later, she finally agreed to move in with me. Slowly but surely, she started feeling alive again. We binge-watched her favorite cooking shows and attended neighborhood gatherings, making new friends.
Mom joined the book club and started getting out. Seeing her smile filled me with warmth.
One day, she introduced me to one of her friends, Greg, a nice-looking man with kind eyes and a soft-spoken demeanor. He seemed like a real gentleman.
“Mom, is he really “just” a friend?” I teased her. “Well, honey, we are actually more than friends,” she said shyly.
Her words brought a simple yet priceless joy. “Mom, you deserve all the happiness in this world. Dad would be so proud to see you move on,” I said as I embraced my dear mom.
When Greg popped the question, mom burst into joyful tears. She immediately started planning the wedding, more than ready to start her new life with Greg.
For a while, everything seemed perfect, but then mom’s honeymoon changed everything.
She and Greg picked her dream destination in the Florida Keys.
However, when my phone rang the day after they arrived and I saw my mom’s name pop on the screen, I could sense something wasn’t right. Yet, I remained calmed. “Hey, mom. How’s in paradise?” I asked.
“Kayla,” she said whispering, “come save me, I’m begging you.”
“Mom, what’s going on? Are you okay?”
“It’s Greg,” she said, her voice breaking. “He’s not who I thought he was!”
It turned out Greg turned the honeymoon into a family vacation. He invited his four adult kids and their kids, and asked mom to babysit them while had fun with his children.
Greg told mom he had a surprise for her, and while she hoped it would be a romantic dinner, it was his entire family joining them. What’s most, he told her she was the “new mom” and it was her duty to help with the little ones. Mom was now part of Greg’s family, and family was all about offering help, according to him.
I could feel the sadness and frustration in my mom’s voice so I didn’t think twice before I got inside my car and headed to Florida Keys.
Once there, I entered the resort where mom was supposed to spend her honeymoon and spotted Greg in the pool with his kids. They were drinking, laughing, and having fun.
I approached and greeted him. His face went pale when he saw me and the huge grin on his face faded in an instant. “Hey, Kayla, what are you doing here?” he asked.
“Hi, Greg,” I said, and then greeted his children. “Guys, I’m Kayla, your dad’s ‘other child,’ the one he forgot to mention when he invited the rest of you to my mom’s honeymoon and turned her into a babysitter.”
One of his daughters tried to speak, but I told her to save it. “Did your dad tell you my mom would be happy taking care of your kids and changing diapers instead of enjoying her honeymoon?” I asked nervously.
At that moment, my mom appeared wailing toddler on her hip. She looked like she hasn’t slept in days.
I took the kid and gave it to Greg’s son. “I guess this one’s yours,” I said. “Maybe you should try taking care of your children instead of dumping them to a woman you barely know.”
Greg then snapped at me, telling me I was overreacting. But I knew I wasn’t. After years of grieving, my mom deserved better than that.
I told her to take her things and get inside the car. We then drove home.
Mom didn’t say a word during the trip home. I knew she was disappointed in Greg.
Once home, she started looking into annulments.
As of Greg, we heard his children got mad at him for not telling them he was in fact inviting them to their honeymoon and for embarrassing them in front of me and my mom.
My mom needed to be loved and cared for, not being treated like a maid and a babysitter.
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Bored Daddy
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