I work one week a month in a different city and miss my family so much! While being at home and cleaning my son’s room, I found this drawing: “Me and my new Mommy.” My heart literally stopped. NEW MOMMY? Did my husband… cheat on me and introduce our son to HER?!
Through my tears, I noticed the café’s name, “At Jack’s.” I knew it; it’s our favorite family place. I made up a plan. I invited my husband and my son to go there. I felt ashamed sitting at the table, looking for the woman from my son’s picture. God, I must’ve been mistaken! When suddenly… I DID recognize her.
She had the same BLONDE hair and big, RED earrings. She noticed us and came to take our order when I risked asking my son:
**Me**: “Honey, is it your ‘New Mommy’?”
My husband blushed, looking incredibly uncomfortable. The woman, however, smiled broadly and encouraged him.
**Her**: “Tell her.”
My husband sighed, clearly dreading this moment.
**Husband**: “It’s not what you think. Please, just listen.”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.
**Husband**: “This is Claire, our son’s art therapist. He’s been struggling a bit with me being busy with work and you traveling for your job. Claire’s been helping him express his feelings through art. He started calling her his ‘new mommy’ because she’s been so kind and supportive, but it’s just a term of affection.”
Claire nodded, her smile reassuring.
**Claire**: “Your son is a wonderful boy. He’s been feeling a bit lonely, but we’ve been working through it. He talks about you both all the time, how much he loves you and misses you.”
Relief washed over me, mixed with a touch of embarrassment for jumping to conclusions.
**Me**: “I’m so sorry. It’s just that I found the drawing and…”
**Claire**: “It’s okay. I understand how it must have looked. But I assure you, I’m just here to help.”
My husband reached out and took my hand.
**Husband**: “I should have told you about this earlier. I didn’t want to worry you while you were away. I’m sorry.”
I squeezed his hand, grateful for the honesty and relieved that there was no betrayal.
**Me**: “Thank you, Claire, for helping our son. And I’m sorry for any misunderstanding.”
She smiled warmly.
**Claire**: “No harm done. I’m just glad we could clear it up.”
The rest of the lunch went smoothly, and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Later that evening, as my husband and I tucked our son into bed, I felt a renewed sense of gratitude for our family and the love that held us together, even through misunderstandings.
The incident was a wake-up call, reminding me of the importance of communication and trust. We decided to be more open with each other and more attentive to our son’s needs. Our family bond grew stronger, and I felt more connected to my husband and son than ever before.
