“Emma, you missed a spot,” my manager barked.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, quickly rinsing the plate again.
When my shift ended, I rushed to my second job at an office building. The hum of the vacuum filled the empty hallways as I moved from desk to desk, collecting discarded coffee cups and wiping down surfaces. The work was exhausting, but I kept my focus sharp.
***
One evening, after nearly a month of grueling work, I dragged myself home, my legs barely carrying me.
I sat at the kitchen table, staring at the humble bowl of oatmeal and a few carrots I’d picked from the garden.
My body ached from endless shifts, but my mind was focused on the approaching holiday. Christmas was my goal, my reason to keep going. The LEGO set Austin had been dreaming of was tucked away in my closet, carefully wrapped in shiny paper.
It had cost me every spare penny, but I finally bought it. My phone buzzed, it was Austin.
“Hi, sweetheart!” I answered.
“Hi, Mom.” His voice sounded muffled like he was tucked under his blankets. “I just wanted to say goodnight.”
“Goodnight already?
It’s not that late,” I teased gently, hoping to stretch the conversation just a little longer. “So, what’s new? Are you excited for Christmas?”
“Yeah, kind of.
Jill’s already putting up decorations. She’s really into it.”
“That’s nice. But guess what?
I’ve been decorating, too. I got the tree up, strung the lights, and even put out all our old ornaments.”
“Wait… really?” he asked, his voice lighting up with surprise. “Like, the ornaments we used to hang together?
The ones with the little snowmen?”
“All of them. And I even made the living room look just like it used to. You know, cozy and warm, like in the good old days.”
“Wow… that’s so cool, Mom.
I didn’t think you’d do all that.”
“Of course I did. You’re my son, Austin. I want us to have Christmas together, just like we always used to.
Will you come? I’d love to have you here.”
There was a pause. “I really want to, Mom.
But… can Dad and Jill come too? I mean, they’ve been planning stuff, and I don’t want to leave them out.”
I felt my stomach tighten, but I pushed the feeling aside. His happiness mattered more than my pride.
“If that’s what it takes to have you here, of course they can come.
The more, the merrier.”
“Really? That’s awesome, Mom!”
“I can’t wait to see you. Goodnight, Austin.
Sweet dreams.” “Goodnight, Mom.”
I sat there with the phone still in my hand, glancing at the glowing lights of the living room. “This will show him. He’ll see how much I care.”
That Christmas had to be the one.
I was ready to win my son back.
***
When Roy, Austin, and Jill arrived, the house glowed with twinkling lights. The Christmas tree’s branches were heavy with ornaments Austin and I had collected over the years. I had poured everything into creating a warm, festive home.
“Wow, Mom,” Austin said, his eyes wide as he looked around.
“It looks amazing!”
“I’m so glad you like it, sweetheart.”
We settled in for dinner, and I watched Austin laugh and talk. He seemed genuinely happy. When it was time to open presents, my nerves kicked in.
I couldn’t wait to see his reaction to the gift I had worked so hard to buy. Austin tore into Jill’s gift first. “The LEGO set!
It’s exactly what I wanted!”
I stared at the box in his hands. It was the same set I had struggled to afford. The room spun.
November 29, 2024
I reached for the edge of the table to steady myself, but instead, the tablecloth slipped from my grasp, sending plates and food crashing to the floor.
The last thing I heard before everything went black was Austin shouting, “Mom!”
***
When I came to, paramedics were hovering over me.
“You need to eat better and rest more,” one of them said as they adjusted the IV in my arm.
“I’ll be fine,” I whispered, but the embarrassment was overwhelming.
How could I let this happen?
When I realized I couldn’t afford the ambulance bill, shame washed over me, but Roy stepped forward.
“I’ve got it,” he said quietly, leaving no room for argument. Later, after everyone had calmed down, I broke. Tears streamed down my face as Roy sat beside me.
I confessed everything—how exhausted I was, how hard I had tried to prove myself, and how much I missed Austin.
“Emma, you don’t have to do this alone. Because we’re both Austin’s parents. Accepting help isn’t a weakness.” Jill also surprised me by talking to me.
“I grew up in a blended family. My stepmom became my biggest support. I don’t want to replace you, Emma.
I just want to be part of Austin’s life.”
Austin stayed close to me the rest of the evening, squeezing my hand and whispering, “I miss you, Mom. I miss us.”
***
We decided together not to divide him anymore. Austin could always have his home with me.
We even exchanged Jill’s duplicate gift for a different LEGO set Austin wanted.
That Christmas, we celebrated as a family, imperfect but together. It wasn’t the Christmas I had planned, but it was the one we all needed.
Source: amomama
