David sat across from me, his posture stiff. “I know this is a shock.”
“A shock? You think this is just a shock?” I shot back. “You left us, David. We struggled. And now I find out that you’ve been in contact with Kyle without my knowledge?”
David sighed. “I know I made a huge mistake. But I’ve changed. I came back to town a few months ago, and I saw Kyle at the park. I recognized him immediately. He’s the spitting image of me when I was his age.”
Kyle spoke up. “I was so angry at first, Mom. But he told me he was sorry. He said he wanted to make it up to us. He offered me a job, helping him with some of his business projects.”
I looked at Kyle, my eyes wide. “Business projects? What kind of business?”
David answered. “I’m involved in real estate. I’ve made a lot of money over the years. I wanted to give Kyle a taste of a better life. Teach him about the business, give him opportunities he’d never have with our… previous circumstances.”
I looked around the opulent room. “So, all these gadgets, the cash I found under your bed… it’s from him?”
Kyle nodded. “He’s been paying me, Mom. I didn’t know how to tell you. I was scared you’d be mad.”
Ms. Anderson interjected. “David has been grooming Kyle to take over part of the business one day. He’s a bright boy, and David sees a lot of himself in him.”
I felt a knot form in my stomach. “You can’t just waltz back into our lives like this, David. You can’t buy Kyle’s love with money and fancy jobs.”
David leaned forward, his eyes earnest. “I’m not trying to buy his love. I’m trying to make amends. I want to be a part of his life. And yours, if you’ll let me.”
I looked at Kyle, who was looking at me with pleading eyes. “Mom, I know it’s a lot. But I’ve really enjoyed working with him. I’ve learned so much.”
I took a deep breath. This was all happening too fast. I had so many questions, so many emotions swirling inside me. But one thing was clear – I needed to have a long, serious conversation with both David and Kyle. I couldn’t let this new development derail our relationship, but I also couldn’t ignore the past.
“Alright,” I said finally. “We’re going to talk. All of us. But this isn’t over. There’s a lot we need to work out.”
David nodded. “I understand. And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make things right.”
As I sat there in that cold, grand room, I knew that our lives were about to change forever. Whether it would be for the better or worse remained to be seen. But I was determined to do what was best for Kyle, no matter what.
