Amelia had been eagerly waiting for this day for months—the day she would finally meet her newborn grandson. The excitement of the long-awaited moment made her heart race. But when she called her son, Mark, to confirm that he would pick her up, his response left her heart sinking.
“I can’t pick you up, Mom,” he said, his tone clipped. “I’ve got errands to run for Camilla, and other people are coming over. We’ll set up a time for you to meet the baby later.”
“Are you sure? It’s just a short drive,” Amelia asked, trying to keep her disappointment out of her voice.
“Another time, Mom. I’ve got to go. See you later!” he replied before hanging up.
Amelia sat frozen, her phone heavy in her lap. Lately, she’d noticed that Mark had been drifting away from her. Ever since he married Camilla, things had changed. Camilla, from a wealthy Connecticut family, was a stark contrast to the life Amelia had worked hard to build for Mark as a single mother. Now Mark had it all—luxury, comfort, and financial security—but with all that, Amelia couldn’t help feeling like she was being left behind.
“You’re overthinking it,” she reassured herself. “He’s busy. They have a new baby. Life is just hectic. He’ll come around and we’ll figure it out.”
But the thought of being excluded from such a special moment broke her heart. She couldn’t bear to wait any longer. If Mark wasn’t going to come to her, she would go to him.
The bus didn’t go anywhere near his neighborhood, and she couldn’t afford a cab, but Amelia had something more powerful than money—her determination. With a deep breath, she packed a special bag she had prepared for this day, secured it to her walker, and set off.
The walk was grueling. Every few steps, her legs screamed in protest. She stopped often to rest, her breath coming in short, labored bursts. The hours dragged by—two, then three, then four—but eventually, she arrived at Mark’s house, her body aching but her heart full of anticipation.
When Mark opened the door, his reaction was not one of joy. It wasn’t surprise. It wasn’t even concern. His face fell, showing more discomfort than anything.
“Mom?” he asked, his tone stiff. “What are you doing here?”
“Surprise!” she said, trying to muster cheerfulness, despite her exhaustion.
Mark stepped out onto the porch, shutting the door behind him, his body language closed off. “Mom, I told you—it’s not a good time.”
Amelia’s smile faltered. “But I walked all the way here, almost five hours. I just wanted to see my grandson. And I brought—”
“I don’t care what you brought!” he interrupted, his voice sharp. “I don’t want you here right now. Please, just go. You’ll meet Hans another day.”
He stepped back inside, slamming the door behind him.
Amelia stood frozen, her body trembling with hurt. The sting of rejection was deeper than the physical pain in her legs. Tears welled up in her eyes. He hadn’t even asked if she was okay. He hadn’t recognized the effort it had taken for her to get there.
She turned to leave, then hesitated. Gently, she set the bag on the doorstep, hoping he would find it later. Then, she began the long walk back home.
A few blocks away, her neighbor, Mrs. Cassavetes, saw her and insisted on giving her a ride. By the time Amelia made it back home, her legs were swollen, and she was too weak to make it to her bed. She collapsed onto the couch, feeling utterly defeated.
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