A standard teenage room. Posters. Unmade bed. Clothes on the floor. Knocking on Alex’s door. Rock music is BLASTING.
Alie, are you in there?
Yes.
Would you come out a minute? I want to talk to you.
What do you want?
Look, I want to apologize for what I said.
I realize that you meant well when you told me that you were paying all the bills in the house from now on. It was mean of me to say that you could pay the bills when you bring in the money. I’m just under a lot of stress. I’m not myself lately.
I thought it would help you if I did what Dad did.
I know, Alie. But, there’s plenty of time for you to have those responsibilities in the future. But not now. You don’t have to pay the bills. I can do it.
I wouldn’t mind doing it.
I know you wouldn’t. But it isn’t necessary.
And another thing, Alie. I don’t want you to think you have to stay home and keep me company. I want you to go out with your friends like you always have.
I don’t want you to be alone, Mom.
Please, Alie. I want you to be a kid. Just be a kid. That would help me the most. I’m doing fine. Just be a kid. Please.
And I’m very sorry I spoke to you that way.
I love you, Mom.
I know. And I love you. Very much.
This is an excerpt from my new book -
A WOMAN WITHOUT A MAN
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A Woman Without A Man - Forward by James Kavanaugh
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
This post touched my heart. Knowing Alie – I can picture the whole scene. He was always so sweet and sensitive and still is.
Twitter: miraclady
November 13, 2010 at 11:40 am
Yes, June – Alex is still the same. He is always watching out and helping his Mom.
At this point, I would be glad to have him pay the bills.
Twitter: MichelleVan
November 14, 2010 at 9:44 am
Corinne, this post is funny, sad, heartwarming all at the same time. A testimonial for your great writing.
Twitter: miraclady
November 14, 2010 at 10:47 am
Dear Michelle -
Thanks for the nice compliment.
I think all of life can be funny, sad and heartwarming.
Perhaps that came through in this little interaction between my well meaning son and me -
Because the whole book is absolutely true. Nothing is held back here. Maybe that’s why I have received comments how people can relate to it. It is like a mirror to many people of their own lives.
Twitter: andrewrondeau
November 15, 2010 at 1:33 am
Corinne
I am the youngest of 5 children and was the only one at home with my mum and dad…when my mum died. I was 20.
My dad went out to work and my mum ‘ran’ the house including the organization / spending of what little money we had.
I felt as I had to take responsibility and I did. My dad wanted me to. My dad had no clue.
The first thing I did was purchase the house we lived in. That helped reduce the bills, as the mortgage was lower than the rent.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..The Plugin That Gets You More Sales =-.
Twitter: miraclady
November 15, 2010 at 10:03 am
Dear Andrew -
I have noticed that older men have a more difficult time adjusting to losing a spouse. Maybe because women take charge of all the daily chores of living. So even though we grieve, we go on automatic and continue doing that.
(One of my friends said it was all about laundry)
Your Dad was lucky to have such an enterprising son. You started early – and haven’t changed.
Great excerpt. I got the book, finally, for my Kindle. I love it.
.-= Bruce´s last blog ..Physician Assistant Preparation – What are your needs =-.
Twitter: miraclady
November 15, 2010 at 9:51 am
Hi Bruce -
First report from a Kindle reader. Happy it works.
Glad to hear you are enjoying the book. Thanks for supporting it.
Twitter: happmakernowco
November 15, 2010 at 11:05 am
Great article Corinne. Being a single parent with teenage children you do have to be careful not to put to much responsiblty on them. My children didn’t have a father that really cared about them and I to wanted to make sure they could be a kid.
Debbie
.-= Debbie @ Happy Maker´s last blog ..How i learned to mind my own business =-.