The phone ringing broke the silence of home, I picked up my phone, the screen showed a familiar area code, it was the phone of my hometown, and I couldn't help but feel a trace of warmth in my heart, maybe a relative missed me.
However, when a familiar voice came from the other end of the phone, my mood instantly hit rock bottom - it was my selfish son.
"Mom, it's me, I know it's wrong, I've sent my dad to a nursing home, come back quickly. My son's voice was crying, and I could see his anxious face through my phone.
I was silent, my mind mixed. Outside the window, the sky was overcast and covered with dark clouds, which seemed to indicate an impending storm. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm my emotions.
When my son saw that I didn't speak, he became even more anxious: "Mom, why don't you speak? My wife divorced me, and she would rather not have children than live with me." What do you want?"
I looked around at this empty home, every place was full of memories, but at the same time full of pain. On the wall is a photo of me and my son's family of four, and at that time, I had a happy smile on my face, but now, only bitterness remains.
I sighed, with a hint of helplessness in my tone: "You are always like this, only thinking about yourself, never considering the feelings of others. Have you ever thought about how my feelings have been? Have you forgotten what he did before? How he treated me? Have you ever thought about how much I have suffered by taking care of you alone over the years? I have taken care of you as both a father and a mother, and he was happy outside with other women, but now that he is paralyzed and no one cares, he thinks of me, my ex-wife, and your son, why?"
The son's voice trembled slightly: "I know I'm wrong, Mom, I really know it's wrong." I don't really know what to do now. ”
I stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the approaching storm, filled with contradictions. I don't want to forgive this selfish son, nor do I want my grandson to lose his whole family.
I didn't give my son a clear answer, but hung up the phone directly, but my heart couldn't calm down for a long time.
I went back to the couch and picked up an old book, trying to calm my mind. However, the words in the book did not capture my attention, and my son's words kept echoing in my head.
I can't help but start to reflect on whether I am also responsible, whether I did not educate him well, which led to today's situation.
In 1966, I was born in a small county town, the youngest daughter in the family, both parents worked, and the family conditions were not bad. I have been the jewel of my parents' palm since I was a child, and I am very pampered. My childhood was full of sunshine and laughter, and the home memories were always warm and full of love.
In 1981, I took the high school entrance examination, performed well, and was admitted to a middle school teacher. After graduating, I became a primary school Chinese teacher and taught at a primary school in the town. I love my job, the innocent smiling faces of the children, and the time spent in front of the blackboard to impart knowledge.
When I was 20 years old, I met my ex-husband. He works in the county seat, and his family conditions are not good, but his rhetoric and enthusiastic pursuit make me heartbroken. I fell in love and soon fell in love. However, my parents and older siblings were not optimistic about the relationship.
They think that my ex-husband looks unreliable, has no ability, and is not worthy of me, and strongly opposes this family business. But I was young and vigorous at the time, and I firmly believed in the power of love, and I would not marry him.
Eventually, I got my wish and married him. In 1992, I gave birth to my son, thinking that I could live a happy life.
With the help of my eldest brother, my ex-husband started a small business and made some money. However, as his wealth grew, so did his true nature.
In 1996, when my son was four years old, I found my ex-husband messing with flowers outside. This made me very angry, but I chose to forgive him and hope that he would mend his ways.
However, instead of being relented by my tolerance, he intensified his betrayal of me, even calling me nosy and speaking ill of me when I questioned him. My in-laws also thought I was troublesome and protected their son.
In the early winter of 2001, I decided to end the marriage. On that day, the sky was covered with fine snow and the cold wind was biting, as if even nature was mourning my decision.
I stood in the living room, looking around at what was once a home of love and hope, but now nothing but apathy and betrayal remained.
I invited the elders of the family, including my parents and several respected relatives, to have a final conversation with my ex-husband in their foresight.
The elders sat on the couch in the living room with worried and serious expressions on their faces. The ex-husband stood aside, looking a little cramped and uneasy.
I took a deep breath, and my voice was calm and firm: "Let's get a divorce, it's not good for anyone to go on like this." ”
The ex-husband's voice came through the air in the living room, with a hint of surprise and impatience: "What are you nervous about? Aren't we doing well?"
I sneered, anger and disappointment in my heart: "Okay? What you call good is to outside behind my back, and then go home and sneer at me? Have you considered my feelings?"
My ex-husband tried to argue, but was interrupted by me: "I can't. What I need is a loyal partner, a responsible father, not someone who will only use rhetoric to cover up his mistakes. ”
The ex-husband seemed to be a little anxious: "Then what do you want? Divorce? Have you thought clearly, what is the benefit of divorce for you?"
I replied firmly, "I'd rather live alone than live with someone like you anymore." As for the son, I will take it. ”
The ex-husband's tone suddenly became scathing: "Do you think you can afford to support him alone? My son follows me, at least he can live a good life. ”
I was furious: "You can't even manage yourself, and you still want to manage your son? Ask yourself, have you given him the care and education he deserves?"
The ex-husband was dismissive: "I give him money, food and clothing, this is not enough?
I responded coldly: "I can give him a warm home, a loving environment to grow up in." And you, what else can you give him but money?"
My in-laws didn't want us to get a divorce, but they didn't think that my son was at fault from beginning to end, they just thought that I was small-minded, messing around, and making trouble over trivial things. And my parents were furious the moment they found out what their ex-husband had done and unswervingly supported me in ending the marriage.
Although my ex-husband was reluctant, he finally compromised in the face of my firm attitude and the pressure of my mother's family. The custody of my son belongs to me, and my ex-husband promised to pay a certain amount of child support.
The divorce process was painful, but I knew it was the only way out. I can't allow myself and my son to continue to endure my ex-husband's selfishness and indifference. I believe that as long as we mother and son are together, there is no difficulty that cannot be overcome.
After the divorce, my life became more busy and fulfilling. On the one hand, I continued my work as a teacher, adjusting my emotions as much as possible and being responsible for my students, and on the other hand, I was a father and a mother to raise my son to adulthood.
Every morning, I wake up when the first rays of sunlight shine through the window to prepare breakfast for my son and make sure he gets off to an energetic start. In the evenings, no matter how tired I was, I would check his homework and encourage him to keep improving in his studies.
When my son was in elementary school, I would personally send him to school and listen to him tell interesting stories about the school along the way, which was my most precious time.
I care about my son in every detail, from food, clothing, housing and transportation to academic performance. My parents and siblings often come to help and give us both material and moral support.
In 2011, my son was admitted to a university and went to study in a provincial capital. I am extremely proud of him, but at the same time a little reluctant.
On the day he was sent to college, the sun was shining and the campus was full of youth. I helped him make the bed in the dormitory and told him to take good care of himself. My son hugged me tightly, and at that moment, I felt that all the hard work and dedication was worth it.
In 2017, the son got married. In order to support my son's marriage, I sold the house I got during the divorce and helped him buy a house in the provincial capital.
On the day of the wedding, I looked at the happy smiles of my son and daughter-in-law, and my heart was full of emotion. I brought them kids and used my pension to help them pay off their mortgage, hoping they could do better.
And my ex-husband remarried not long after our divorce. He never asked his son anything other than minimum child support.
In the preparation of my son Xiaolei's wedding, I realized that this was a moment that needed to unite the whole family, even though my relationship with my ex-husband had long since died in name. I decided to call him to discuss the cost of the wedding, hoping that he would fulfill his responsibilities as a father.
The phone was dialed, and after a few rings, an indifferent voice from the ex-husband came from the other end: "What's the matter?"
I took a deep breath and tried to keep my tone as calm as possible: "It's about Xiao Lei's wedding, I think we should sit down and talk about the cost." ”
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a moment, and then the ex-husband's voice shirked: "I'm very busy right now, you know, I have a new family, and I'm under a lot of financial pressure. ”
I clenched the phone tightly, and a wave of disappointment welled up in my heart: "But Xiao Lei is your son, and his wedding is very important to all of us." ”
The ex-husband didn't seem to be moved, and he continued to make excuses: "I've been short of money recently, you know, I've encountered some problems in investment, and I can't turn over funds." ”
I tried to suppress the anger in my heart, but my voice involuntarily raised: "But this is our son's big day, and you can't always shirk responsibility like this." ”
The ex-husband's tone began to look a little impatient: "I said I would do my best, but I really can't come up with much money." Can you please stop being so unreasonable?"
I felt powerless, knowing that no amount of argument could change his selfishness: "Okay, I got it. I'll figure it out myself. ”
When I hung up the phone, I felt a wave of sadness and helplessness. I sat on my old couch and looked around at this home full of memories. There are photos of Xiao Lei from childhood to adulthood on the wall, each of which records the bits and pieces of his growth. I took a deep breath and told myself that no matter what, I would give Xiao Lei an unforgettable wedding.
I stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the sky. The sun shines through the clouds and sprinkles on the ground, bringing a touch of warmth to this cold winter day. I secretly decided in my heart that no matter what my ex-husband was, I would do my best to give Xiao Lei a warm and solemn wedding.
I returned to my desk and began to plan every detail of my wedding, from setting up the venue to hosting the guests, from the wedding process to the budget. I know that this will be a wedding without the participation of my ex-husband, but this does not affect it from becoming the best moment of Xiao Lei's life.
On the day of the wedding, Xiao Lei was wearing a straight suit with a happy smile on his face. I looked at him with pride and satisfaction.
When my grandchildren were born, I helped raise them, just to make my son happy. But I never thought that his father would treat him so much, and I would still do things that hurt me after I paid so much for him.
Half a year ago, a sudden traffic accident plunged my ex-husband into a low point in his life. On that day, he was driving on the highway and had a serious car accident due to bad weather and poor visibility. Despite the best efforts of the doctors, his life was saved, but at the cost of losing his right leg and having to rely on a wheelchair to get around.
When the news came, I was preparing dinner at home, and when I heard the news, my heart did not feel much turmoil, after all, my ex-husband had broken me to the bone, how could I sympathize with him? As for schadenfreude, not so much.
However, the ex-husband and the current husband have no biological children, and they have always regarded the current son as their own. But when disaster strikes, the selfishness of human nature is exposed.
The current and son are not willing to take on the responsibility of taking care of their ex-husband, and they choose to escape. In such a situation, my ex-husband began to contact me frequently, hoping that I could let my son Xiaolei take care of him.
When I received a call from my ex-husband, my heart was filled with anger and helplessness. On the other end of the line, his voice carried a hint of pleading: "I know I didn't do it right before, but now I really need help." Xiao Lei is my son, he should be filial. ”
I firmly rejected him: "What you have done, you have lost the qualification to ask Xiao Lei to fulfill his filial piety." He has a life of his own and should not be implicated by your selfishness. ”
My ex-husband didn't give up, and he began to mobilize relatives and friends to try to force me to comply. They called Xiao Lei one after another, using various reasons and emotions to exert pressure, which made Xiao Lei feel extremely painful and troubled.
Finally one day, Xiao Lei returned to my place with her ex-husband. His eyes were full of helplessness and exhaustion, and his voice was choked: "Mom, I know it's unfair to you, but I really don't know what to do." ”
Xiao Lei begged me to let go of my previous grievances and take care of my ex-husband in his face: "He is my father, I can't ignore him." My wife said that if I took him home, it would be fine. Mom, if you don't help me, who will help me?"
Hearing this, I fell into deep thought, and in the dead of night, I often sat alone by the window, looking at the silent starry sky outside, and my heart was full of confusion and pain.
I think back to my hardships over the years, giving up too much and sacrificing too much for my son. And now, I seem to have reached a crossroads, facing a difficult choice.
Eventually, I made a decision – to live for myself. I decided to drop everything and travel to get away from all these distractions for a while. It will take me a while to sort out my thoughts and rediscover the meaning of my life.
I simply packed my bags, didn't tell anyone, and just like that, I set out on the journey. I went to the beach, where the breeze and waves seemed to take away all my worries. As I walked on the beach, feeling the delicate grains of sand and waves under my feet, the burden on my heart seemed to be lifted little by little.
However, my departure did not solve the problem. My ex-husband couldn't find me, so he continued to harass Xiao Lei, which undoubtedly brought more pressure to his life. The daughter-in-law is very angry about this, and she believes that her ex-husband's behavior has seriously affected their family life.
A month passed, and the daughter-in-law's patience was exhausted, and she left a sentence of "divorce! Even if I don't want children, I don't want to live such a life" and went back to her parents' house.
My son was in a hurry and called me, saying that he was going to send his dad to a nursing home and asked me to go back quickly.
I thought about it for a while, and finally called my son and told him: "Xiao Lei, my mother has fulfilled her obligations, and she will have to rely on herself in her future life." I just want to rest and rest now, and take care of my own affairs!"
(The story material is provided by the people around the author, and the love is responsible for sorting it out.) If you'd like to share your story, please let us know. ）