My teen Son got new clothes and headpones

Caught in a whirlwind of suspicion, Cathy confronted Ian about Alex’s lavish acquisitions, only to find he wasn’t the source. Ian suggested Alex might have a part-time job, a notion Cathy dismissed given his age. Determined to uncover the truth, Cathy surreptitiously observed Alex’s activities.

As Alex claimed he was off to a friend’s house for a project, Cathy seized the opportunity to trail him discreetly. Following him to a rendezvous point, Cathy was stunned to see him enter a car with a mysterious blonde woman. Drawing closer, she realized the woman was Lia, her long-lost sister.

Their reunion reignited dormant emotions, harking back to a tumultuous past. Cathy reminisced about their childhood bond and Lia’s subsequent disappearance. Despite years of searching, Lia remained elusive until now, unexpectedly intertwined with Cathy’s son.

Confronting Lia, Cathy grappled with a torrent of emotions and accusations. Lia, however, sought reconciliation, explaining her desire to mend their fractured relationship through Alex. The encounter left Cathy reeling, torn between past wounds and newfound hope for reconciliation.

As Cathy observed her son, Alex, sporting new clothes and brand-new headphones, curiosity gripped her. She decided to trail him, eager to unravel the mystery behind his sudden acquisitions. Memories of her own childhood flooded back as she ventured forth.

Inquiring about the headphones over breakfast, Cathy was met with a swift reply from Alex, claiming they were from his father. His response seemed plausible, considering the shared responsibility between Cathy and her ex-husband, Ian, in providing for Alex.

However, Cathy couldn’t shake the feeling of disbelief. Ian, known for his pragmatic approach, rarely indulged in extravagant purchases. It was Cathy who typically splurged on such items. Ian prioritized quality over brand names, deeming them unnecessary expenses.\

Her words hung heavy, rich with unspoken pain and an unresolved shared history.

Then, of course, the floodgates opened. I sat back and cried.

“You can’t just waltz back into our lives after all these years,” I said. “And Alex is not a pawn to help you fix what you left behind.”

Lia’s gaze dropped, and for a moment, the weight of the past seemed to settle upon her shoulders.

“Cathy, I know I messed up. I know I hurt you and the family, but I have changed. And I want a chance to make amends.”

I didn’t say anything. I just sat there, looking at Alex, who had turned around from the front seat and looked at me.

“Alex, let’s go.”

We walked home in silence.

“Mom,” he said after brushing his teeth. “I like Aunt Lia. She’s been good to me. She bought me the new things, not Dad.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked.

“Because you’ve been upset over the divorce, and I didn’t want to add to that.”

“Oh honey,” I said. “That’s not on you.”

“And Aunt Lia has been around, talking to me about it all. I didn’t know how I felt when you and Dad divorced, but Aunt Lia helped me understand it. I know you’re angry with her, and I know why. But she’s been a big help to me.”

I went to bed thinking about Alex’s words. He had described the younger Lia I knew and loved — the girl who would drop everything to help someone, even if it meant just listening.

And I didn’t know Alex was struggling with the divorce so much. It had only been six months. As much as I was livid with Lia for getting Alex involved before coming to me, I was grateful that she was helping my son navigate the world as a child of divorce.