I couldn’t imagine how Carolyn did it after Albert’s father passed on.
But still. My son wasn’t some gambling chip for her.
In the weeks that followed, Albert and I set firm boundaries with Carolyn.
She apologized again, this time in person, admitted that she had been selfish, and tried to win us over with delicious baked goods.
But words only go so far. I told her flat-out that she wouldn’t be watching James alone again until she’d earned back my trust.
It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve learned something important from all this.
Boundaries aren’t just for strangers; sometimes you need them with family, too.
Carolyn may think she can bulldoze her way through life, but not when it comes to my son.
Because honestly, I’m not taking any chances.
A few days after the fallout with Carolyn, Albert and I took James to the park for a picnic. The air was crisp, with just enough sunlight flickering through the trees to warm our little corner of the grass.
James was running around with a soccer ball, giggling as he tried to kick it past Albert.
“Nice try, bud!” Albert laughed, catching the ball with ease before passing it back.
I watched them with a small smile, my hands wrapped around a warm cup of tea. For the first time in days, I felt some semblance of peace.
When James wandered off to explore the playground, Albert sat down beside me on the checkered blanket.
He stretched his legs out, leaning back on his hands.
“I’m glad we did this. It feels good to just breathe, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah,” I said, exhaling slowly. “It’s been… a lot.”
“I just want to say again, how sorry I am for what happened.
I didn’t think my mom would ever do something like that.”
“I know you didn’t,” I said, my voice soft. “But Albert, it was terrifying. She made me think something terrible had happened to James.
I felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest.”
His jaw tightened, and he toyed with the container of strawberries.
“She crossed a line. I told her that, too. I made it clear that if she ever pulls something like that again, she won’t be part of our lives.”
“Thank you.
I needed to hear that,” I said.
For the first time in days, I felt the knot in my chest loosen. Carolyn’s actions had shaken me to my core, but sitting here with Albert and James reminded me of what really mattered.
Source: amomama
