The Parting: Turning the Page

Nancy walked to the pantry for the second time.  Again she forgot what item she wanted.  She went back to the stove and tried to recall what she was doing in order to trigger the memory of what she wanted.  Bingo!  Olive oil.  She said “Olive oil” out loud as she walked to the pantry, grabbed the olive oil and went back to cooking. 

She was back to making meals for two.  It was just a short time more and John would be away to college and she would be cooking for one.  Then what?  The day was approaching fast and she didn’t like the idea.  While parenting can be hard, it was one of the few things she truly enjoyed.  She loved her boys.  She loved being a mom.  That chapter of life was coming to an end and it made her sad not to have boys in the house. 

She wanted to talk with someone.  She wanted to chat with Charlotte.  It seemed like yesterday she and Charlotte would spend time together, getting to know one another.  Back then she believed the young woman would one day be her daughter-in-law.  Now it seemed a distant dream. 

She pulled her cell phone from her purse and pressed the speed dial for Charlotte.  She felt a little apprehensive about calling.  Charlotte was a grown woman with her own life.  While Nancy presumed she was hurting over the break up, maybe she had moved on.  Maybe she didn’t want to speak with her any more.  She started to hang up when she heard Charlotte’s voice.  She quickly realized it was Charlotte’s voice mail.  Nancy hung up. 

Nancy went back to cooking dinner.  She was deep in thought when John walked in. 

“Hi mom.”

“Hi honey.  How was school?”

“Good.”

“How was practice?”

“Good.  What’s for dinner?”

Feeling a little playful yet put off by his short replies she said, “Food.”

“Ha ha!  What food are we going to eat?”

Nancy smiled.  “I’m so old, I don’t remember any more.” 

“You are in a mood tonight aren’t you, old lady?”

“This old lady is still young enough to spank your skinny butt.” 

“You gotta catch me first.” 

“My car goes fast.” 

John hugged his mom.  Oh how she loved her boys.  She wished Jack was home.  She wondered how much longer he would be gone.  He already stayed beyond the return date on his ticket.  When he told her of the change, he said he wasn’t sure when he’d return but he would. 

Maybe that was why she was in a funk. With Jack still unsettled, she felt unsettled.  She knew she would get through this but she didn’t like being in the middle of it.  She and John discussed current events over dinner.  He was such a good boy.  He never caused her any heart ache.  She made it a point to tell him so as they picked up the dishes. 

That night as she lay in bed she prayed.  She prayed for her boys and for Charlotte.  She prayed for the heaviness on her heart.  She asked for someone to talk to.  She wanted a soul mate.  She didn’t really want a husband, just someone with whom she could share her heart.