Stepmother
By: Me, obviously ^^
By: Me, obviously ^^
Max was curious, as all seven-year-old boys are. He had his ear pressed against the door. His father was on the phone.
“Yes, I’m sure he’ll love you just as much as I do,” Max heard. His father, John, sounded happy. “Don’t worry so much,” John said to some unheard voice, “I’ll pick you up this afternoon. Love you too, bye.”
Max heard the click as the phone was returned to its receiver. He quickly, but silently ran through the white hall to his room. The house was a small two-story house with white walls and light tan carpeting. It had some wood floors for the kitchen and entryway. There were a lot of windows to let in the light. At the moment they were all open to let in the slight breeze that made the white curtains billow inward. The breeze brought the smell of flowers and chased away the heat and stuffiness that comes with summer.
He plowed his way through all the toys, board games, and clothes that dominated the floor of his room, and anything and everything else, to the massive tangle of sheets, pillows, and stuffed animals that was his bed. He hugged a stuffed elephant to his chest. His father had been talking in a happy voice and way like when he used to talk to Max’s mother. A few tears glided down his cheeks. Of course, this couldn’t possibly be what his father had been doing; Max’s mother had died in a car crash two years back. Max could remember her golden hair, big smile, and happy laugh. He couldn’t remember much else though. There wasn’t much else to remember. She had been an extremely happy person. She had been the warmth and light in his life. Now the cold and dark void his world had become was only lit by the feeble candlelight of his father. Some more tears escaped, but he dashed them away hurriedly as his father’s footfalls sounded in the hall.
“Hey Max,” he said through the door, “how’re you doing?”
Max scowled slightly, “I’m fine.”
“Are you decent? Can I come in?”
“Sure.” Max was confused at his father’s behavior. He never wanted to come into Max’s room. The door opened slowly, sweeping back everything behind it. His father came in. Max’s father was of medium height and build. His hair was thick and black. He had blue eyes and a kind face. Max himself had black curly hair and his father’s blue eyes. He also had a light sprinkling of freckles across his thin nose.
“Don’t you ever clean this place?” his father asked playfully, “This place is a pig’s sty.”
Max stayed silent.
His father sighed. “Max, I know things have been tough on you and I’ve had a lot of work, but things are going to get better from now on. Okay?”
Max just nodded.
“Get dressed into some clean clothes, okay? I want you to meet someone later today.”
“Okay.”
Max went to his drawers and put on some clean clothes: a solid blue T-shirt, and some jean shorts. He pulled on a pair of ankle socks and then his off-white tennis shoes. He waded through the sea of junk, and ran down the stairs.
“Max,” his father called, “ the babysitter will be here soon; the instructions for her are on the fridge with the emergency phone numbers okay?”
The door slammed shut and Max was alone. His father had been going out a lot lately. Max shrugged and went into the living room. The babysitter arrived ten minutes after his father left. He watched Disney movies while he waited for his dad to get home. Finally, he heard the front door open. He walked slowly into the entryway.
There, in a summer dress with sunflower print on it, was a lady. She had wavy blond hair to her shoulders and green eyes. She had a sprinkling of freckles too. She was slender and soft looking. She had the biggest smile on her face.
“Hello, you must be Max,” she said sweetly, “I’m Caroline.”
“Hi.” He managed to mumble.
Max’s father walked in behind her and closed the door.
“Oh, John!” She exclaimed, “He’s more adorable than I’d imagined from your descriptions.”
John moved slowly forward and placed his hands on Caroline’s shoulders. “Max, I would like you to meet my fiancée. We’re going to be married in August. She’ll be your new mother.” He said gently.
Max stood rooted to the spot while his father’s words sank in. The tears he had blocked up earlier came flooding out and he fled. He ran up the stairs, pushed open the door, and flung himself to the bed.
Caroline had a stunned and hurt look on her face. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No,” John said, “Max just hasn’t gotten over his mother yet. I was hoping that you could possibly help him.”
“Do you think we should cancel the wedding?”
“No, just give him time. He’ll come around.”
***
Max didn’t come around - He stayed away. He avoided Caroline like the plague, and didn’t speak to anyone. The wedding plans went on like normal, and Caroline watched Max from a distance. She saw the vacant look in his eyes, and her brow creased in worry. She felt warm hands land gently on her shoulders.
“John I’m worried about Max,” she said, “are you sure you want to continue with the wedding?”
John’s arms wrapped securely around her. “Our wedding day is tomorrow. He’ll be fine.”
Caroline wasn’t so sure. “Can we have a short honeymoon?” She couldn’t quite conceal the worried tone in her voice.
John squeezed her gently. “That’s one of the reasons I love you; you always place others before yourself. Of course we’ll have a short honeymoon.”
Caroline relaxed slightly. She didn’t want to leave Max all alone for any period of time. Her eyes were still fixed on Max’s dejected figure.
***
Today was the day. Caroline could hardly breath for happiness. She turned around in circles, viewing her wedding dress from all angles in the mirrors. She fussed a bit with the headdress. It was time. Caroline walked down the isle. She had eyes only for John as she said her vows, but when it was all said and done, she felt guilt. Max was sitting on a bench in the front row, quietly staring at the floor. How could she have done this to Max?
She didn’t have time to dwell on that thought because she was flooded with congratulations and well wishing.
Max sat still and watched as Caroline became his stepmother. She walked down the isle and she looked so happy that Max felt guilty for making this hard for her and his dad, but then he remembered the reason for his grudge; she was the enemy, the person who was going to take her place. He didn’t want to forget what little he remembered about his mother. Caroline was trying to take her place.
***
Max stayed with his grandma, who lived three hours away, while they were on their honeymoon. He didn’t particularly like it. She smelled funny and so did her house. She was hard of hearing and there wasn’t any way to entertain one’s self. He was happy to go back home until he remembered that it wasn’t entirely home anymore.
Caroline watched the car drive up, anxious to see Max’s face. He seemed happy when he first got out of the car, but he quickly lost his eagerness as he approached the house. She opened the front door and greeted him. He studiously ignored her as he walked past her into the house. She slumped a bit looking crestfallen. She tried to put on a brave face as John approached, but she didn’t fool him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. A few tearstains found their way onto his shirt.
“He’ll come around,” he said, “ once he sees how wonderful you are.”
“I hope so.”
A few more tears fell before she pulled her composure back together again.
Max traipsed his way up the stairs. He felt a sense of release as he entered his room. He was home. He stumbled his way through the mess and fell asleep fully dressed on the bed.
Caroline went up the stairs. Dinner was ready and Max hadn’t shown himself since he got home. She opened his door and made a mental note to clean his room later. Then her gaze fell on Max. He was sleeping with a stuffed elephant in his grip. He looked so vulnerable; it nearly broke her heart. She opened his drawers and shifted through till she found a pair of pajamas. She gently changed his clothes so that he didn’t wake, and then, leaving him tucked into bed with the elephant, left as quietly as she had come.
***
Max woke up the next morning. It was Saturday. He vaguely wondered at his pajamas before stumbling bleary-eyed down the stairs and into the kitchen, following a delicious, mouth watering scent: breakfast. The smell was so good he hardly made an effort to snub Caroline when he saw her standing in the kitchen. She was making crepes. They had cream cheese and cherry pie filling inside with whipped cream on top. He eagerly sat in his seat and waited. Caroline placed his breakfast before him.
“Good morning sleepy head,” she said cheerfully with a smile, “I thought you’d sleep the whole day away.”
“But it’s only ten o’clock though,” was all he managed before becoming lost in ecstasy.
John walked into the kitchen. His hair was sticking up in random directions and he still wore his pajamas. “Good morning,” he said with a yawn, “that was one of the best nights I’ve had in a long time.” At this statement he and Caroline shared a long look and a smile.
Their joy was utterly and completely lost on Max who, at the time, was lost in his own abounding joy. “How’d you learn to cook like this?” he asked Caroline.
John broke his gaze away from Caroline. “Didn’t you know?” he asked. “Caroline has a major in foods and was a good chef at a restaurant for a time.” He said with admiration.
A blush slowly colored Caroline’s cheeks.
Max recognized his growing appreciation for her, and tried to tone down his happiness. He wanted to make it clear to her that he was still shunning her. He didn’t talk to her all that day.
***
Max got home from school on Monday. He opened the door. The air inside seemed fresher than it usually did. He walked into the kitchen for a snack, and found that every surface was clean, the dishes were done, and that there weren’t any crumbs on the floor. He felt daunted by the cleanliness of it all and quickly left it. He made his way up the stairs and saw that the rug was a shade lighter than it usually was. The usual motes of dust didn’t fall when he brushed up against the curtains. There weren’t any cobwebs in the corners. When Max passed the bathroom, he smelled cleaning chemicals. He passed his father’s room - Caroline was deeply asleep on the bed. She looked exhausted. Max tiptoed passed. He shoved at his door, and with no apposing force on the other side it slammed open. It was empty - No, it was clean. The clothes were washed and put away. The games were stacked in the closet. The bed was made, and the stuffed animals adorned its head.
Caroline, rubbing her eyes, walked up behind him. “I hope you don’t mind me cleaning it, but it was just so chaotic I couldn’t help myself.” She said. Her brow creased as the silence lengthened “Max?”
Max turned his head away and started wiping at his eyes.
“Oh, Max, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have cleaned it without asking you first. I won’t do it again.”
“No, it’s not that,” he whispered, “it’s just that my mom used to do the exact same thing.”
Max turned then and buried his face in her legs as the sobs started coming faster. Caroline just held him until his sobs subsided.
“I’m sorry,” he said gaining some control of his hoarse voice, “I’m sorry for everything.”
“Shhh, Max. Don’t worry I understand. We can just be friends. I don’t have to be your mom.”
Max’s chin wobbled as he smiled up at her. “I guess I can do that.”
***
John came home to sounds of laughter in the kitchen. He walked in and raised an eyebrow. Caroline and Max were making cookies and they seemed to be the main ingredient by the looks of things. “So,” John said, “Did you have a food fight without me?”
They smiled up at him.
“Did you want to join us?” Caroline asked, raising a handful of dough threateningly.
John raised his hands in mock surrender. “Oh, no, not me. I’m the responsible adult.” He said soberly.
Caroline and Max broke into new fits of giggles.
“Okay, okay,” John said quickly, “enough laughter at my expense.”
Caroline stood up. “Come on Max, lets go get cleaned up.”
John snagged her around the waist.
“John,” she complained, “I’ll get your clothes all doughy.”
He silenced her with a kiss and she melted in his arms. Max averted his gaze uncomfortably.
“You’re sweeter than ever.” John joked.
Caroline laughed up at him. “Now you need to change too.”
“I guess I’m not as responsible as I thought.” He stated. The way he said it made it seem as though it were a great tragedy.
Max sniggered.
“Okay, let’s all go get cleaned up now.” Suggested Caroline.
***
Max now went to Caroline for help and advise. She helped him with his second grade homework, and talked with him about his troubles and about things of no relevant consequence. She was a well of endless patience and kindness that he drew upon. They often went to the park and other fun places. Caroline’s positive nature and enthusiasm towards him took their toll on him, and Max was soon a positive and outgoing person. Caroline was quick to discipline when necessary, but also quick to praise. It wasn’t long at all before Max loved her dearly.
“Come on Max,” Caroline called, “let’s go fly this here new kite. The Autumn winds are perfect.”
Max’s eyes lit up when he saw it. It was a huge configuration of a dragon.
“Sure!” was his enthusiastic reply.
The wind howled and screeched at them, tugging on their clothes and ripping at their hair. It wasn’t so cold as it was strong. The kite jerked every which way, trying to pull free. Max and Caroline laughed as it crashed time and again. When they became breathless, they sat under a cluster of trees for some protection as they regained it.
Max looked up at Caroline’s content face. “Caroline?” he began hesitantly.
“Yes?” she looked down at him.
“Can, can I…uh…can I call you mom?”
Caroline laughed breathlessly, “Of course, silly.”
Max looked sheepishly up at her. Then, he threw his arms around her and kissed her on the cheek. “Come on mom,” he yelled over the wind, “let’s try and fly this kite again!”
She got up, laughing, and went to him. Together, they managed to get the kite high in the sky. It kept rising higher and higher.
^^ I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to comment. I'd love any advice or suggestions, or even if you just tell me if you like it or not.
