Three Chances, Then Never Again

"Ms. Sutton," Jonathan said, "my daddy and I are going to leave."

All my grief lodged tightly in my chest.

Just as I turned to go, Zoey suddenly grabbed my arm. "What did Jon just say?"

She stared at Jonathan in shock, as if seeking confirmation.

Was she stunned because the child she once couldn't get rid of had now learned to keep his distance on his own?

I managed a faint smile, struck by the irony. "He didn't say anything, Ms. Sutton. The parent-teacher meeting is about to start."

I pulled my arm free and led Jonathan to the row in front.

Even after sitting down, I could feel her gaze on my back, but it offered no comfort.

The parent-teacher meeting began on schedule.

I held Jonathan close. For the first time, I wished the teacher's voice would be loud enough to block out the warm chatter of that "family of three" sitting behind us.

As expected, the teacher mentioned Jonathan. He was announced as the class monitor for the semester and invited to give a speech.

Jonathan refused to go on stage.

I knew why.

He didn't want to see Zoey sitting with Sean's child. He didn't want to admit that his own mother, who wouldn't even let him call her "Mommy" in public, had come here for someone else.

After the meeting ended, I took Jonathan to the teacher's office and completed the withdrawal paperwork.

When we walked out of the school gate, we ran into Zoey waiting on the sidewalk. She was holding a stick of cotton candy. It looked like she had been there for a long time.

"What took you so long?" she asked. "Let's go home together."

She then handed the cotton candy to Jonathan.

Going home together had once been what Jonathan and I wanted most. Now, those words only left me feeling bitter.

Jonathan reached out and took the cotton candy. The gloom that had hung over his face all evening finally lifted into a smile.

My heart softened when I saw the hope in his eyes. I was about to agree when Zoey spoke again.

"Sean's child just transferred here. He didn't participate in the previous class monitor selection. Why don't you talk to the homeroom teacher and have Jonathan step down? Give the opportunity to Steve."

Those words sent a chill through both Jonathan and me.

So that was it. Every gift came with strings attached, even a stick of cotton candy.

"Sure, Ms. Sutton," Jonathan said. His eyes were red as he stuffed the cotton candy into his mouth.

A trace of warmth appeared in Zoey's eyes. She was about to take his hand when her phone rang.

It was Sean.

"Zoey, Steve isn't feeling well," he said. "Can you come over now?"

Zoey's expression changed instantly. She turned and got into the car.

As she closed the door, Jonathan suddenly shouted, "Mommy!"

Her hand paused. She leaned out and met his reddened eyes. After a long silence, she said, "Take care."

This time, she didn't make him correct himself. But it was the last time Jonathan would ever call her that.

That night, Jonathan and I packed our luggage and booked our tickets to go abroad.

We didn't mention Zoey again, and the living room light would no longer stay on through the night, waiting for her.

Early the next morning, we went through security and boarded the plane.

Before turning off my phone, I sent Zoey one final message.

"I wish you nothing but happiness."

The next second, the usually silent chat lit up.