Hi there, this is Patty. I can declare with confidence that I have had a great and happy life after 90 wonderful years. Since my husband passed away a few years ago, Angie, my daughter, and I have mostly been spending our time together.
I was ecstatic as my ninetieth birthday approached. My daughter had assured me that she would come see me and spend the day with my grandchildren.
Imagining my grandchildren brings me constant joy. It reminds me of the times when my spouse and I raised Angie. My grandchildren remind me of those special occasions because they look so much like her.
They also have a father who looks like Angie’s ex-husband, John. I loved John so much that I was devastated by their split. The closest thing I’ve ever had to a son was John. He had a big heart and was friendly. He still sends me a Christmas card every year, even now. While I had hoped for John and Angie to be back together, life has other ideas.
When my birthday finally arrived, I was overjoyed. But as the day went on, my enthusiasm gave way to anxiety. It was getting close to lunchtime, and Angie had not responded to me. I called her multiple times, but she didn’t pick up.
When I tried to call Angie again, the call went straight to voicemail. Since she was driving, I thought she wouldn’t be able to respond. But as time went on, it became evident that, like many other days, I would be spending this birthday alone.
I was about to give up when someone rang the doorbell. If my knees weren’t so weak, I would have immediately jumped up in excitement. I was quite happy with my birthday present from Angie and the kids, since it had been a long time.
My heart fell when I saw a manly figure through the glass of the entrance. When I answered the door, I saw a happy John with gifts and flowers in his hands.
“Happy Birthday, Mom!” He gave a kind greeting.
“John? Oh, you didn’t have to,” I said, startled and happy at the same time.
“A small token to honor your amazing day,” John stated as he passed the presents.
Is that the chocolate of my dreams? You remembered, huh? My cheeks flushed with joy as I exclaimed.
How could I overlook that? It’s all you ever eat,” John laughed in response.
You’re overly charming. Could you come to supper with me? Asking him to come in, I did.
Oh no. Not that I would want to bother. You must have plans. John answered modestly, “I just wanted to drop off your presents and see your gorgeous self.
“That’s absurd! I would like the company, and I don’t have anything planned. I insisted, “Plus, I’m making apple pie.”
“Pineapple pie? John chuckled as he entered, “You ought to have led with that.”
John, like my late spouse, is an amazing chef. John did the majority of the cooking while we were together during the day. I was just happy to have the company. It was during supper that John finally inquired about Angie.
Will Angie and the children be joining us then? I would really like not think that I was ambushing her or doing anything similar. Although I really didn’t plan to remain, I’m pleased I did, John remarked.
“That’s absurd! We are family since you are my grandchildren’s father. And unfortunately, I don’t think Angie will come with us today,” I sadly said.
“Oh, that’s disappointing to hear. John said, “You shouldn’t spend your birthday by yourself.
“I’m not alone now, son, thanks to you,” I murmured, taking hold of his hand. “John, thank you.”
“No issue. Would you mind telling me why she didn’t come? or the children, at any rate? They enjoy having time with you, John continued.
“They were meant to arrive, but Angie won’t take my calls. I genuinely don’t know what transpired, but I have no doubt she will contact me again,” I remarked.
“I don’t know what’s going on with her, but she ought to at least drop the kids off. I’m going to call her,” John urged.
To my astonishment, Angie answered the phone when John called her. John later explained to me the reason behind my daughter’s birthday stand-up.
As it happens, the kids, Angie, and her new boyfriend are all on vacation. She kept it from everyone! John told me, clearly distressed.
“Trip? Did she not inform anyone, too? Why would she act in such way? I enquired.
“Patty, your guess is as good as mine. How can she get away with taking my kids and without saying anything? John replied, looking just as confused.
Oh no. This is really disheartening. Furthermore, who is this man? I was even more perplexed as I answered, “I had no idea Angie had a boyfriend.
She had made a casual reference, but an entire vacation? It seems that they had been organizing it for approximately a month. I apologize, Patty, but I think your daughter went too far this time, John stated in a frustrated tone.
I unhappily answered, “Yes, this is disappointing.”
I was shocked to hear the news. Angie could have at least informed me that she wouldn’t be available. I spoke with Angie later. The damage was done, but she said she would see the kids as soon as possible. I was truly saddened, but I will always adore my daughter.
John’s presence thankfully lessened the blow. But Angie’s actions caused a serious wound. I don’t know how to trust her at this point. How should I respond in this circumstance?
I Introduced My 5-Year-Old Daughter to the Man I’ve Been Dating – She Screamed When She First Saw Him
When Jessica introduced her daughter Emma to her boyfriend Alex, she expected a warm welcome. Instead, Emma screamed in terror, convinced by her father’s warnings that Alex was a threat who would take her away forever.
I never imagined it would turn out this way. The sound of my daughter, Emma, screaming for help still rings in my ears. It was supposed to be a happy day, the day I introduced her to Alex, the man I’d been dating for over a year. But instead, it was a disaster.
Woman with tears in her eyes | Source: Pexels
Alex and I met at a charity event. He was charming and kind, always ready with a smile or a joke. We clicked immediately, and our relationship grew strong. We were serious, and I knew it was time for him to meet the most important person in my life – my daughter.
But I was scared. My divorce from Tom, Emma’s father, had been rough, and I worried about how she’d react to a new man in our lives.
Sad Emma with her bear | Source: Midjourney
Tom and I had shared custody of Emma. He usually babysat when I was out with Alex. Tom had already met Alex a few times and didn’t seem to have any problems with him. Or so I thought.
I spent days planning the perfect introduction. I made Emma’s favorite brunch – pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream. I even bought a new dress, wanting everything to be perfect. Alex arrived right on time, holding a gift and wearing his most welcoming smile.
“Hey, Alex, come on in,” I greeted him, my voice shaking slightly.
Man in a suit | Source: Pexels
“Thanks, Jess. I’m excited to finally meet Emma,” Alex said, handing me the gift. “I hope she likes this.”
“She will,” I replied, hoping it was true. “Let me go get her.”
I walked to the bottom of the stairs and called out, “Emma, sweetheart, can you come down here for a moment? There’s someone I want you to meet.”
Happy woman with a broad smile | Source: Pexels
I heard the sound of little feet running down the stairs. But as soon as she saw Alex, she stopped dead in her tracks. Her face went pale, and she looked terrified.
“No! Mommy, please, no!” Emma screamed, tears streaming down her face. She ran to me, hiding behind my legs. “Don’t let him take me! Please, Mommy!”
I was stunned. Alex looked as confused as I felt. I knelt down to Emma’s level, trying to calm her down.
Scared Emma | Source: Midjourney
“Emma, honey, it’s okay. This is Alex. He’s a friend,” I said softly, stroking her hair.
“No! He’s bad! He will take me away! I don’t want to go!” she sobbed, clinging to me tightly.
“Why do you think he’ll take you away?” I asked, my heart breaking at her fear.
“Daddy said he will! Daddy showed me pictures and told me to run if I ever see him!” Emma cried.
Shocked woman | Source: Pexels
I felt a surge of anger and confusion. Tom had done this? Why would he scare her like that?
Alex knelt down beside me, his face full of concern. “Emma, I’m not going to take you away. I promise. I just want to be your friend,” he said gently.
Emma didn’t respond. She just cried and held on to me tighter. I stood up, holding her in my arms, and turned to Alex.
Jess hugs Emma | Source: Midjourney
“I think we need to figure out what’s going on here,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Yeah, we do,” Alex agreed, looking worried.
I carried Emma to the living room and sat down with her on my lap. Alex sat across from us, keeping his distance so as not to scare her further.
“Emma, can you tell me exactly what Daddy said?” I asked softly.
Sad man in a chair | Source: Pexels
She sniffled and nodded. “Daddy said if I see Alex, he will take you and me away, and we will never see Daddy again. He showed me pictures of Alex and said he’s a bad man.”
I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of anger and sadness. “Emma, Daddy was wrong to say those things. Alex is not a bad man. He’s kind and he cares about us.”
Emma looked at me with wide, scared eyes. “But Daddy said…”
Sad woman sits on the couch | Source: Pexels
“I know, sweetheart. But sometimes grown-ups make mistakes. Daddy made a mistake,” I said, trying to reassure her.
Alex leaned forward slightly. “Emma, I promise I would never do anything to hurt you or your mommy. I just want us all to be happy together.”
Alex leans to Emma | Source: Midjourney
Emma didn’t say anything, but she seemed a little calmer. I knew this was just the beginning of a long process to help her feel safe and secure around Alex. I looked at Alex, who gave me a small, supportive smile. We had a lot of work ahead of us, but I was determined to make this right.
As soon as Emma was settled in her room, I grabbed my phone and dialed Tom’s number, my hands shaking with anger. He answered on the third ring.
Man taps on his phone | Source: Pexels
“Jess, what’s up?” he said casually.
“Tom, what on earth did you tell Emma about Alex?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.
“What do you mean?” he replied, feigning ignorance.
“Don’t play dumb with me, Tom. Emma just had a meltdown because she thought Alex was going to take her away. She said you told her that,” I said, my anger rising. I felt tears fill my eyes.
Angry woman talks on her phone | Source: Pexels
“Well, maybe I did,” he admitted after a pause. “I don’t trust that guy, Jess. He’s going to take you and Emma away from me.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Tom, that’s not true, and you know it. You had no right to scare her like that. You’ve lost your babysitting privileges until further notice.”
Tom’s voice turned defensive. “Oh, so now I’m the bad guy? I was just looking out for her. What do you know about this Alex guy anyway? What if he’s not who you think he is?”
Angry man on his phone | Source: Pexels
“That’s not your decision to make, Tom. Alex and I have been together for over a year. He’s a good man, and he cares about us. You had no right to interfere like that,” I said, trying to keep my frustration in check.
“So, I was right after all. As soon as she met that man, I was cut out of her life,” he snapped.
“No, Tom. You did this to yourself. You manipulated our daughter and filled her with fear. That’s unacceptable,” I replied, my voice shaking with anger.
Woman shouts on the phone in front of her laptop | Source: Pexels
Tom sighed, and I could hear the frustration in his voice. “I’m her father, Jess. I have a right to protect her.”
“Protect her from what? A man who’s done nothing but be kind to us? You’re projecting your own insecurities onto Emma, and it’s not fair to her,” I said firmly.
“Fine, maybe I overreacted. But I don’t want to be pushed out of her life,” he said, his tone softening slightly.
Man talks on the phone in his office | Source: Pexels
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. “Tom, you’re not being pushed out. But you need to understand that what you did was wrong. From now on, every time you see Emma, Alex will be there too. We’re going to work on this together. Emma needs to see that Alex is not a threat.”
There was a long pause on the other end of the line. Finally, Tom spoke, his voice resigned. “Alright, Jess. I’ll play along. But if he does anything to hurt her, you’ll be the one to answer for it.”
Woman talks on her phone in her office | Source: Pexels
“Nothing like that is going to happen, Tom. We’re doing this for Emma’s sake. She needs stability and to know that the adults in her life can get along,” I said, hoping he would understand.
“Okay, fine. I get it. I’ll cooperate,” he muttered, clearly unhappy but accepting.
“Thank you, Tom. This is what’s best for Emma,” I said, feeling a small sense of relief.
“Yeah, whatever. Just… keep me in the loop, alright?” he said before hanging up.
Man in striped shirt talks on the phone | Source: Pexels
I ended the call, feeling a mix of anger and sadness. I knew this was going to be tough, but I was determined to make things right for Emma. I returned to the living room, where Alex was waiting, looking concerned.
“How did it go?” he asked.
“It’s going to be a challenge, but we’ll get through it. We’re going to take it one step at a time, and we’ll do it together,” I said, feeling a bit more hopeful.
Man runs with his little daughter | Source: Pexels
Alex nodded. “I’m with you, Jess. We’ll make this work.”
I smiled, grateful for his support. It wasn’t going to be easy, but with Alex by my side, I knew we could overcome this. We just had to be patient and strong for Emma. The road ahead was uncertain, but we were ready to face it together.
If you liked this story, consider reading this one. Secrets, sleep-talking, and mysterious items are all the things that had me following my daughter when she left the house. I was unaware that where she was going would open up five-year wounds I thought were dead and buried.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Leave a Reply