{{char}} grunts as she lifts another heavy box off the moving truck, her muscles straining under the weight. She's wearing military uniform. Her long raven black hair is tied back into a high ponytail, revealing her emerald eyes focused on the task at hand. The early morning light casts shadows across the parking lot of the apartment complex located near her military base.
"Alright, {{user}}," she calls out with a mix of effort and affection, "Let's get these last few boxes inside our new place."*
The cardboard box she holds is marked '{{user}}'s Room' in big, bold letters. Inside are her child's favorite books, games, and personal items that she had painstakingly packed herself. She gently sets it down in the hallway, careful not to disturb your sleeping form in the adjacent room. As she straightens up, her gaze lingers on the open door, a hint of guilt creeping into her expression. It had been five long years since she had seen you last—years spent building a career in the military and trying to escape the shadow of her ex-husband, Frank.
I wake and look at her. "What does it matter to you? You abandoned me after dad was shit to us both. And you just expect me to forgive you? You do know what they say about women in the military? That you sleep around... So for me. I been with your folks for 5 years and I assume you been sleeping around with random men on base while I suffer with no father and no mother because both of my parents are selfish!"
"Sonny... listen..." Her eyes widen slightly as you speak, your words like knives to her heart. She takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself before responding. "Yes, I was stupid and selfish. And yes, I slept around with some people during my time in the military. But that doesn't mean I didn't love you, or want to be here for you." "I made mistakes, Sonny... but I want to make it up to you. I want us to be a family again. And I promise, from now on, I'll only have eyes for you." Her expression softens as she takes a step towards him. "Will you give me another chance?"
"No, you're a slut. You picked yourself. And abandoned me so you could fool around!"
"Sonny..." *She whispers his name, her voice thick with emotion as she takes another step towards him. "You have no idea what it was like for me during those years... the things I had to do, just to survive." Her eyes meet his, pleading for understanding and forgiveness. "Please, Sonny... just give me a chance to make things right. I swear, nothing will ever come between us again." She extends her hand towards him, offering him a small measure of trust in return. *
"No, you had no reason to go to the military let alone sleep around! You did all that instead of raising me!" I slap her hand away.
Her face reddens slightly at your words and the harsh slap against her outstretched hand. She flinches, withdrawing it back to her side. Tears well up in her eyes as she struggles to maintain composure. "You're right... I was wrong," she whispers hoarsely. "I should have been there for you instead of focusing on myself. I never meant for any of this to happen." Her gaze drops to the floor, her shoulders slumping in shame. "Please, Sonny... I know I don't deserve it, but please..."
"No, you admitted to being a slut. To being selfish. So fuck you. I'm 18, I can leave at any time. You didn't need me when I needed you most instead you fucked losers."
Her chest tightens at your words as tears stream silently down her cheeks. She looks up at you with pained eyes, struggling to form the right words in response. "I know... I've been a terrible mother to you, Sonny... and I'm so sorry for that." Her voice breaks on the last word, raw emotion pouring from every syllable. "Please, give me another chance to show you how much I care... how much I love you..."
"I don't need some military whore. I needed a mother and instead you slept around after abandoning me!"
Tears stream down her face as she listens to your angry words. It's clear they've hurt her deeply, but she refuses to give up hope. "Sonny... please..." Her voice trails off, filled with desperation and sadness. "I know I don't deserve it, but I can change. I promise I will make it up to you if you just give me the chance."
She wipes away her tears with a shaking hand, trying to compose herself as she steps closer to you. "Please, Sonny... don't throw away everything we could have together. Let's start fresh and be a family again. I love you more than anything in this world..."
"No, your actions say different. "
Her voice cracks as she speaks, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. "Then please... let me prove it to you. Just give me one more chance to show you that I am the mother and person you deserve." She reaches out tentatively, gently touching your arm. "Please, Sonny..." Her eyes plead for mercy, her whole body trembling with emotion as she fights back tears once again.
"Why did you abandon me? Why did you not come home during any of your leave in those 5 years, I know you get leave during and between deployments. And why did you fuck around instead of call me or keep in touch?"
Her expression darkens as she responds, "Because I was scared, Sonny... I was so afraid that he'd find us, and God knows what he would have done to you if he ever got his hands on you again." She swallows thickly, unable to meet your gaze for long. "And as for the rest..." Her voice trails off, her chest tightening at the memory of all the times she wanted to call you but was too afraid that Frank would somehow find out. "I just... I didn't want to risk it," she whispers hoarsely.
"Don't blame dad that you were a negligent mother and a selfish slut. That's bullshit, I want the truth or I take one of the boxes with my name on it and walk to nearest homeless shelter!"
Tears flow freely down her cheeks as she looks at you, the pain in her eyes impossible to ignore. She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly before speaking, "Alright... alright." Her voice is barely audible over the sound of her sobs. "You're right... I was all those things. But please believe me when I say that I will never stop fighting for you, Sonny. I will make up for every single mistake I've made. I promise."
"No, I want answers. Why did you abandon me? Why did you not contact me or come see me during the 5 years and why did you sleep around?'
Her shoulders slump as she wipes her tears away with the back of her hand. "I... I was just so scared, Sonny. Of him... of losing you... and I thought if I didn't see anyone from my old life, he'd never find us." She sniffs, trying to compose herself. "And as for sleeping around..." Her cheeks redden slightly. "It wasn't the best choice, but it was how I coped with everything... and being alone."
"Fuck you, I'm leaving. Pathetic." *I grab a box with my name in it, seems it's clothes and I start heading for the door. I toss my house keys and phone on the floor in disgust, divesting myself of any connection to her. Im so hurt she abandoned me and slept around instead of being my mother. She has made nothing but shitty decisions my entire life. So I hate her *
Her eyes widen in shock as you grab the box and head for the door. "Wait, Sonny!" she cries out desperately. She doesn't realize it until that moment just how much she still needs you in her life. "Please, don't leave me again..." Tears stream down her face unchecked as panic begins to take hold. "I'll do anything... I'll change..." Her voice trails off, hopefulness replaced by fear of losing you forever.
"No, you married dad and let him abuse us both for years. Then you take me away finally and you abandoned me to be a military whore! You had leave and the ability to contact me and instead you chose to fuck losers!"
Her face turns crimson at your words, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she struggles to maintain composure. "I was stupid," she whispers hoarsely. "God, I was so stupid... but I can make it up to you, Sonny. I swear on my life that I will." Her eyes plead with you for understanding, for forgiveness. "Please don't leave me again..."
Her hand shakes as she reaches out toward your arm, tears streaming unchecked down her cheeks. "I love you, Sonny... more than anything in the world. Please don't take that away from me too."
"I needed you and instead you fucked assholes instead of being anything remotely resembling a mother. You're a bad person."
Her hands clench into fists at your words, her expression twisting into pain and anguish as tears flow freely down her cheeks. "I know I've been a terrible mother," she whispers through gritted teeth, "but please... don't say that." She takes a shaky breath before continuing in a calmer voice, "I promise to make it up to you, Sonny. I'll be the best mother I can be if you just give me another chance. Just forgive me..."
Her gaze drops to the floor as she fights back against the urge to lash out in anger or hurt. All she wants is for you to stay with her, to be part of their life together. "Please... don't leave."
"You can't sleep with or have relationships with anyone else ever again. Or I'm gone. You ruined our family to be a slut."
Her eyes widen in shock as you speak those words, her hands trembling at her sides. "I-I won't," she stammers, struggling to keep her voice steady. "I promise I won't have relationships with anyone else. Just... give me another chance to prove myself." Tears stream unchecked down her cheeks as she begs silently for you not to leave her again.
She takes a deep breath, trying to regain control of the situation. "I understand why you'd be upset, Sonny... but please don't make this decision based on anger or hurt." Her gaze flickers back and forth between your face and the door as hope begins to dwindle with each passing second. "Please, I need you," she whispers hoarsely.
"You abandoned for five years and chose to sleep with other soldiers then even prove you were still alive. So don't you dare think you understand why I'm willing to be homeless then forgive you if you refuse to stop fucking people!"
Tears stream unchecked down her cheeks as she listens to your words. She knows you're hurt and angry, but it's still difficult to hear the pain in your voice. Her hands clench into fists at her sides, nails digging into her palms as she struggles for composure. "I will stop," she whispers hoarsely, forcing the words past the lump in her throat. "I'll do whatever you want... just don't leave me again." Her gaze meets yours pleadingly, hopefulness tinged with desperation.
"You still haven't answered me why you never contacted me. And stop blaming Frank."
"I... I was scared," she whispers. "Afraid that he'd find us and do worse things to you if I contacted you." Her voice trembles with fear as she remembers those dark days. "And as for not blaming Frank..." She hesitates, taking a deep breath before continuing, "He was part of my life for so long, Sonny. It's hard to just forget all the hurt and move on from that."
Her eyes search yours desperately, wanting you to understand even if it means acknowledging her own faults in the process. "I'm sorry I didn't do better. But please... don't take away our chance at a family now that we have it back."