«You don’t get to decide where my son lives,» snapped his ex-wife as she stepped over the threshold.
«Dad, whens Mum coming?» asked Jamie, setting aside his maths workbook.
William looked up from his newspaper and studied his son. The boy was only eight, but his eyes already carried a sadness no child should know.
«I’m not sure, mate. She said shed visit this weekend, but its only Wednesday.»
«But will she really come? Last time she promised, then rang to say she had important things to do.»
William sighed. How could he explain that his ex now lived in another city with another man, and Jamie had become little more than an obligationa monthly duty that involved buying a toy, a trip to a café, then disappearing again?
«Shell come, Jamie. She will.»
«Okay,» the boy said, picking up his textbook again. «Can I watch cartoons later?»
«Finish your homework first, then well see.»
William tried to return to his paper, but the words blurred. Three years since the divorce, and his life still felt stuckwork, home, Jamie, an endless cycle. His mates urged him to meet someone, start fresh, but how could he when his son was always waiting for a mother who barely showed up?
By the time Jamie closed his books, dusk had settled outside.
«Dad, what are we having for dinner tomorrow?»
«Pasta. You like that, dont you?»
«Yeah,» Jamie grinned. «And salad?»
«Sure. Cucumber and tomato.»
They moved to the kitchen, William pulling ingredients from the fridge while Jamie perched on a stool, swinging his legs, chattering about school.
«Tom Wilson fell in PE today and scraped his knee. There was blood! Miss Davies took him to the nurse.»
«Nothing serious, I hope?»
«Nah, just a plaster. Dad, why do Toms parents always come to meetings together, but its just you?»
William froze, knife hovering over the half-sliced cucumber.
«Well… Your mum and I have different jobs, different schedules.»
«Oh,» Jamie nodded, unconvinced.
After dinner, the boy obediently brushed his teeth while William tidied up. The flat was quiet, the telly murmuring softly in the background.
The next day at work, his colleague Mark brought it up again.
«Will, come on! What kind of mother is she? Shes practically given up on him! Visiting once a monthwhats that? Jamie adores you. Youre a great dad.»
«You dont get it. Theres no time for anything else. School runs, homework, dinner, bedtime stories. Weekends are laundry, shopping, cleaning.»
«Then find someone wholl help! A decent woman. A stepmum wouldnt hurt Jamie.»
«What if he doesnt like her? What if his mum comes back and kicks off?»
«Shes not coming back,» Mark scoffed. «If she wanted to, shed have done it by now.»
William stayed silent. Deep down, he knew Mark was right, but admitting it stung.
That evening, as Jamie worked on his homework, the doorbell rang. William checked the peephole and stiffened. Lisa, his ex-wife, stood on the doorstep. He opened the door.
«Hi,» she said. «Can I come in?»
«Course. Jamie! Mums here!»
The boy bolted from his room, flinging himself at her. Lisa hugged him awkwardly, as if shed forgotten how.
«Youve grown so much!»
«Mum, are you staying long? Did you bring me anything?»
«Of course. But first, I need to talk to Dad.»
Jamie nodded and scampered off. Lisa settled on the sofa while William remained standing.
«Tea?»
«Please.»
He brewed two mugs, eyeing hernew haircut, smart clothes, manicured nails. Life in the city clearly suited her.
«Howve you been?» he asked.
«Good. Decent job, decent pay. You?»
«Fine. Jamies doing well.»
She hesitated, then straightened.
«Will, I came for a reason. Daniel and I are getting married.»
«Congratulations.»
«And I want Jamie to come live with me.»
Williams grip tightened on the mug.
«What?»
«I want him with me. Im settled now, good job, Daniels fine with it. And youyoure always at work, hes left to himself.»
«Lisa, are you mad? Jamies happy herehis school, his friends. And besides, youve barely»
«Barely what? I was young, scared. Now Im ready.»
«Have you asked Jamie what *he* wants?»
«Hes a child. He doesnt know whats best. I can give him more.»
William paced, fists clenched.
«Lisa, listen. Three years, youve hardly been in his life. Monthly visits, when you could be bothered. And now suddenly you want him?»
«Its my right! Im his mother!»
«Mother? Mothers stay up when their kids are sick. They help with homework, take them to the doctor, buy their clothes. What have *you* done?»
«I was working! Building a life!»
«Right. And who was raising Jamie? Who»
«Keep your voice down!» she hissed.
He lowered it, but the fury remained.
«Why now? Why suddenly do you want him?»
She turned away, staring out the window.
«Daniel wants kids. I cant have more, the doctors said. So we thought Jamie Hed adjust.»
«So thats it. Your new husband needs a child, and you remembered your son. Convenient.»
«Dont be cruel. Ive missed him.»
«Missed him? You forgot his birthday last year!»
«I was busy»
«Enough,» William cut in. «Everyone was busy. Jamie grew up without you. Now you waltz in and claim him.»
Footsteps padded down the hall. Jamie peered in.
«Mum, can we go out? The cinema maybe?»
Lisa forced a smile.
«Of course, love. Just let me finish talking to Dad.»
Jamie vanished again.
«Will, Ive made up my mind. Ill go to court if I must. Ive got the means, the stability. What do *you* have? A rented flat, an average job»
«Ive got love for my son. Do you?»
«Of course! I just dont show it like you do.»
«Cant? Or wont?»
Lisa snatched up her handbag.
«Ill give you till tomorrow. If you agree, well keep it civil. Otherwise, the courts will decide.»
«You dont decide where my son lives,» William said coldly.
«Hes *my* son too!» she flared. «I have every right!»
«Rights are earned.»
She called for Jamie, who hugged her tightly.
«Mum, will I see you tomorrow?»
«Yes, love. Definitely.»
When the door closed, Jamie turned to William.
«Dad, were you arguing?»
«No, mate. Just grown-up stuff.»
«Mum looked upset.»
William pulled him close.
«Jamie would you want to live with Mum?»
The boy frowned.
«Where does she live?»
«Another city. Far away.»
«What about school? And Tom? And Grandma?»
«Different school, different friends.»
Jamie shook his head.
«No. I want to stay with you. Visit Mum sometimes.»
«Okay, son. Okay.»
That night, William lay awake. Lisa would return tomorrow. Would he fight? Could he afford a solicitor?
At breakfast, Jamie asked,
«Dad, if Mum took me away, would you be sad?»
William crouched to his level.
«Jamie, no ones taking you. Were family, understand?»
«Yeah,» the boy smiled. «But Mum?»
«Shes still family. Just not here.»
«Like Aunt Claire?»
«Something like that.»
At school, William lingered, speaking to Mrs. Carter.
«Jamies doing wonderfully,» she said. «Bright, well-behaved. Though he gets quiet sometimes. Missing his mum, I expect.»
«Were divorced.»
«I see. Ever thought of remarrying? A proper family might help.»
William nodded vaguely.
That evening, Lisa arrived promptly at seven. Jamie rushed to her, but she held him at arms length.
«Love, go to your room. Dad and I need to talk.»
«But Mum»
«Go on, Jamie,» William said.
Once alone, Lisa folded her arms.
«Well?»
«He stays with me.»
«Will, be reasonable. Think of him! I can give him more.»
«More love?»
«Of course!»
«Then why three years without it?»
She exhaled sharply.
«Fine. Court it is. Daniels backing meweve got the money.»
«Still wont ask Jamie?»
«What does a child know?»
«Jamie! Come here!»
The boy sat between them, uneasy.
«Your mum wants you to live with her. What do you think?»
Jamie glanced at Lisa, then William.
«Is it far?»
«Quite far,» Lisa admitted. «But its nicebig house, your own room.»
«Ive got my own room here.»
«Its better there.»
«Will Dad come?»
«No, hed stay here.»
Jamie shook his head.
«I dont want to leave Dad. He takes me to school, helps with homework, reads to me.»
«Id do all that!»
«Can you make pancakes? Play chess? Fix my bike?»
Lisa faltered.
«Id learn.»
«No,» Jamie said firmly. «I want Dad.»
«Youve turned him against me!» Lisa accused.
«Dad never said youre bad,» Jamie defended. «He says youre just busy.»
Lisa sank onto the sofa, face in her hands. When she looked up, her eyes were red.
«I thought hed want to be with me.»
«Do *you* want him?» William asked quietly. «Or does Daniel just want a ready-made child?»
She swallowed.
«I dont know,» she whispered. «Im scared Ill mess up. What if he doesnt love me?»
«Mum, I *do* love you,» Jamie said. «I just want to stay here.»
Lisa pulled him close, weeping. Finally, she stood.
«Alright. He stays. But can I visit more?»
«Whenever you like,» William said.
«And call?»
«Call anytime.»
She kissed Jamie, then left. At the window, Jamie watched her taxi drive off.
«Dad, will she really visit more?»
«I think so. She loves you.»
«Why did she want to take me, then?»
«Grown-ups get confused, Jamie. They think they know best, but they dont always.»
«Oh. Dad, can we get pizza tonight? Instead of pasta?»
«Alright.»
A week later, Lisa rang, talking to Jamie for half an hour, promising to visit.
A month after that, William met a woman in the parkAnna, divorced, raising a daughter.
«How long have you been on your own?» she asked.
«Three years. You?»
«Two. Its tough sometimes, isnt it?»
«It is. But worth it.»
Jamie and her daughter, Emily, played on the swings.
«Dad,» Jamie whispered later, «Annas nice. And Emily too.»
«Yeah.»
«Can we see them again?»
«We can.»
And as Jamie grinned, chattering about his new friend, William thought maybe Mark was right. Life went on. He deserved happinessso long as Jamie was happy. And judging by his sons smile, he was.
