«It’s not your decision where my son will live,» snapped his ex-wife as she stepped over the threshold.
«Dad, whens Mum coming?» asked Jamie, pushing aside his maths workbook.
Thomas glanced up from his newspaper and studied his son. The boy was only eight, but there was already a hint of grown-up sadness in his eyessomething no child should carry.
«I dont know, champ. She said shed visit this weekend, but todays only Wednesday.»
«But will she *really* come? Last time she promised, then called to say she had important things to do.»
Thomas sighed. How do you explain to a child that his mother now lived in another city with another man, and that Jamie had become more of an obligation than a joy? Once a month, shed breeze in with a toy, take him to a café, then vanish again.
«Shell come, Jamie. She will.»
«Okay.» The boy picked up his workbook again. «Can I watch telly tonight?»
«Finish your homework first, then well see.»
Thomas tried to focus on the paper, but his thoughts kept circling the same old rut. Three years since the divorce, and his life still hadnt moved on. Work, home, Jamiean endless loop. His mates told him to find a woman, start fresh, but how could he let anyone close when his son spent every day waiting for his mum?
By the time Jamie finally shut his books, it was dark outside.
«Dad, whatre we having for dinner tomorrow?»
«Spaghetti. You like that.»
«Yeah,» Jamie grinned. «And salad?»
«And salad. Cucumber.»
They wandered into the kitchen, and Thomas pulled ingredients from the fridge while Jamie perched on a stool, swinging his legs and chattering about school.
«Liam Thompson 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 Liams parents always come to meetings together, but its only ever you?»
Thomas froze, knife hovering over a half-sliced cucumber.
«Well Mum and I have different jobs, different schedules.»
«Oh.» Jamie nodded, not entirely convinced.
After dinner, Jamie obediently brushed his teeth while Thomas tidied up and made tea. The flat was quiet except for the telly murmuring in the background.
The next day at work, his colleague Mark brought up the same old topic.
«Tom, mate, give it a rest! What kind of mother is she, really? Shes practically abandoned him! So she visits once a monthbig deal. Jamie adores *you*. Youre a proper dad.»
«Mark, you dont get it. Theres no time for anything else. School runs, homework, bedtime stories. Weekends are laundry, groceries, cleaning»
«Find a woman wholl help, then! Someone kind. Jamie wouldnt mind a stepmum.»
«And if he hates her? If his mum storms back and kicks off?»
«Shes *not* coming back,» Mark scoffed. «If she wanted to, shed have done it by now.»
Thomas stayed quiet. Deep down, he knew his mate was rightbut admitting it hurt.
That evening, as Jamie did his homework, the doorbell rang. Thomas peeked through the peephole and stiffened. There stood Emily, his ex-wife. He opened the door.
«Hi,» she said. «Can I come in?»
«Course. Jamie! Mums here!»
The boy bolted from his room and flung himself at her. Emily hugged him awkwardly, as if shed forgotten how.
«Youve got so tall! Proper little man now.»
«Mum, are you staying long? Did you bring me a present?»
«Of course. But first, I need to talk to Dad.»
Jamie nodded sagely and scampered off. Emily drifted into the lounge and sat on the sofa. Thomas remained standing.
«Tea?»
«Please.»
He busied himself in the kitchen, then brought two mugs. Emily looked polishednew haircut, expensive clothes, manicured nails. Life in Manchester clearly suited her.
«Howve you been?» he asked.
«Good. Enjoying the job, decent salary. And you?»
«Fine. Jamies doing well at school.»
She sipped her tea, then straightened.
«Tom I came to talk. Oliver and I are getting married.»
«Congratulations.»
«And I want Jamie to live with me.»
Thomass stomach dropped. His hands trembled around the mug.
«*What*?»
«I want custody. Im stable nowgood job, Olivers fond of him. Meanwhile, youre always at work, hes left to his own devices»
«Em, have you *lost it*? Jamies settled herehis school, his friends. And since when do *you*»
«Since when do *I* what? I was young, scared of responsibility. Now Im ready.»
«Did you even *ask* Jamie what *he* wants?»
«Hes a child. He doesnt know whats best. My place is better for him.»
Thomas stood, pacing.
«Em, listen. Three years, youve barely been part of his life. Monthly visits, when you could be bothered. Now suddenly you want him back?»
«Ive got *rights*! Im his *mother*!»
«Mother?» Thomass voice cracked. «A mothers there when hes ill at 3 AM. Helps with homework, takes him to the dentist, buys his shoes. Whatve *you* done?»
«I was *working*! Building a life!»
«Oh, aye. And who built *Jamies* life? Who raised him? Who»
«Keep your voice down!» Emily hissed.
Thomas lowered it, but the fury remained.
«Why now? Whys he suddenly so important?»
Emily turned to the window.
«Oliver wants kids. I cant have moredoctors orders. So we thought Jamied adjust.»
«Ah. So you need a ready-made child for the new bloke, and Jamiell do. Convenient.»
«Dont be cruel. Ive missed him.»
«Missed him?» Thomas barked a laugh. «Missed calling him? Asking about his day? You *forgot* his birthday last year!»
«I was *busy*»
«Right. Everyones busy. Jamie grew up without you. Now you waltz back and demand him.»
Footsteps pattered down the hall. Jamie peered in.
«Mum, are we going out? The cinema or something?»
Emily forced a smile.
«Of course, love. Just need a quick chat with Dad first.»
Jamie vanished again. Emily exhaled.
«Tom, Ive made up my mind. Ill go to court if I must. Ive got the meansstable income, a proper home. What do *you* have? A rented flat, an ordinary job»
«Ive got love for my son. Do *you*?»
«Of course! I just dont show it like you do.»
«Cant? Or wont?»
Emily grabbed her handbag.
«Ill give you till tomorrow. Agree amicably, and well keep it civil. Otherwise The courtsll decide.»
«Its *not* your choice where my son lives,» Thomas said coldly.
«Hes *my* son too!» Emily shot back. «Ive got equal rights!»
«Rights are *earned*.»
She marched out, then turned.
«Jamie! Come say goodbye!»
The boy hugged her tightly.
«Mum, will I see you tomorrow?»
«Of course, sweetheart.»
When the door shut, Jamie frowned at his dad.
«Dad were you arguing?»
«No, mate. Just grown-up stuff.»
«Mum looked upset.»
Thomas pulled him onto the sofa.
«Jamie tell me honestly. Do you want to live with Mum?»
The boy thought.
«Where does she live now?»
«Manchester. Far away.»
«What about school? And Liam? And Granny?»
«New school. New friends.»
Jamie shook his head.
«Dont wanna. I wanna stay with you. Visit Mum sometimes.»
«Alright, son. Alright.»
That night, Thomas lay awake. Tomorrow, Emily would return for his answer. What would he say? That hed fight for Jamie? That hed never let him go? What if she *did* take him to court? Could he afford a decent solicitor?
In the morning, as he packed Jamies schoolbag, the boy asked:
«Dad if Mum took me, would you be sad?»
Thomas crouched to meet his eyes.
«Jamie, no ones taking you. Were family, yeah?»
«Yeah,» Jamie smiled. «What about Mum?»
«Shes family too. Just not here.»
«Like Auntie Claire? Shes family, but lives in her own house.»
«Something like that.»
At school, Thomas lingered to speak with Mrs. Carter. Jamie was doing wellno trouble, popular with classmates.
«Hes a thoughtful boy,» she said. «Clearly well-raised. Though he does get quiet sometimes. Probably misses his mum.»
«Yeah. Divorce.»
«I see. Ever thought of remarrying? A proper familyd do him good.»
Thomas nodded vaguely.
That evening, Emily arrived at seven sharp. Jamie bounded to her, but she gently held him back.
«Sweetheart, go to your room. Dad and I need to talk.»
«But Mum»
«Go on, Jamie,» Thomas said.
Once alone, Emily cut to the chase.
«Well? Decided?»
«Yes. Jamie stays with me.»
«Tom, *think*. I can give him morebetter opportunities, a nicer home»
«And more love?»
«*Yes*!»
«Then whyve you ignored him for three years?»
Emily hesitated.
«Fine. Court it is. But Olivers backing meweve got the funds for solicitors.»
«Still wont ask *Jamie* what *he* wants?»
«Whats *he* got to do with it? *Adults* decide.»
«Right. Jamie! Come here!»
The boy sat between them, puzzled.
«Jamie, Mum wants you to live with her. What dyou think?»
He glanced at Emily, then Thomas.
«Is it far?»
«Quite far,» Emily said. «But its lovelybig house, your own room»
«Ive got my own room *here*.»
«Its *nicer* there.»
«Will Dad come too?»
«No, Dad stays here.»
Jamie shook his head.
«Dont wanna. Dad takes me to school, helps with homework, reads stories.»
«*Ill* do all that!»
«Dyou know how to make pancakes? Play chess? Fix bikes?»
Emily faltered.
«Ill learn»
«No,» Jamie said firmly. «I wanna stay with Dad. Can visit you.»
Emilys face twisted.
«Youve *turned* him against me!» she hissed at Thomas.
«Mum, Dad never said bad stuff about you,» Jamie said. «He says youre just *busy*.»
Emily sank onto the sofa, covering her face. When she looked up, her eyes were red.
«I thought hed *want* to come.»
«Do *you* want him?» Thomas asked softly. «Or does Oliver just want a ready-made kid?»
She was silent a long time.
«I dont know,» she finally whispered. «I *want* to want him, but What if I muck it up? What if he hates me?»
«Mum, I *already* love you,» Jamie said. «Just wanna live here.»
Emily pulled him close, crying quietly.
«Alright,» she said at last. «Stay with Dad. But can I visit more?»
«Course,» Thomas said. «Whenever you like.»
«And call?»
«And call.»
She kissed Jamies head and stood.
«Id better go. Oliver needs explaining.»
«Mum youre not cross?»
«No, darling. Not cross.»
After she left, Jamie stared out the window, watching her taxi disappear.
«Dad will she *really* visit more?»
«I think so. She loves you.»
«Then whyd she want to take me from you?»
«Grown-ups get muddled, mate. Think they know best when they dont.»
«Oh. Dad can we get pizza tonight? Instead of spaghetti?»
«Deal.»
A week later, Emily phoned. She talked to Jamie for ages, asking about school, friends, weekend plans. Promised to visit in a fortnight.
Then, one Sunday in the park, Thomas met Anna and her daughter Lily. Single mum, same as him. They chatted while the kids played.
«How longve you been on your own?» Anna asked.
«Three years. You?»
«Two. Tough sometimes, isnt it?»
«Can be. Worth it, though.»
Jamie and Lily hit it off immediatelyswings, sandcastles, endless giggles.
«Dad,» Jamie whispered on the way home, «Annas nice. Sos Lily.»
«Yeah. They are.»
«Can we see them again?»
«Course.»
And Thomas thought, maybe Mark was right. Life moved on. He deserved happinessso long as Jamie was happy. And judging by the boys grin as he babbled about Lily, he *was*.
