Mother and son moment

"It's not like I do not want my son to follow his dreams. I love him very much and I want him to be happy. But, that school reminds me of so many things. It reminds me of my biggest mistake. How will I be able to go visit him there when all that school gives me are bad memories?" Chantel cried out. 

Mrs Asare sat beside her daughter and held her by the shoulders, then drew closer to her. Her father moved closer to her and held her hand. 

"Baby girl. Your father and I really do understand your uneasiness and your reasons. But I don't think that is enough to stop your son from attending the school he wants. Listen Chantel, you are always busy with work and school is about to reopen soon. Let Travis go to this school and I promise I will look after him till he comes back home,okay?" Mrs Asare said and robbed Chantel's shoulders. 

"Just like your mother said. We really do understand you. You know, when you first told me you were going to the high school, I was very scared. That was the first time you were going to leave home and it frightened me. But I allowed you to go. Do you know the reason why I allowed you to go? Because I trusted you to be able to take care of yourself. And when you went to Canada, I freaked out. Even though it was my idea to send you there in the first place. But I was still scared. I still allowed you to go because I trusted you. I know you are asking yourself why I am telling you this. It's just that, i want you to understand that, every parent is always worried when their child is away from them. You just have to trust him to make the right choice," Mr Asare said. 

Chantel nodded. "Yes I am scared of him being far away from me. He has always been with me for the past 16 years and seeing him go is making me go crazy. But, you are right. I do have to trust him. Travis is a good boy and I know he will make the best decisions."

Both her parents hugged her as she cried. Then, after she picked up her bag and went upstairs to her son's bedroom to speak to him. She knocked on his door and waited. When she did not hear anything, she knocked again. 

"Come in, mom. I know you are the one out there," Travis answered. 

Chantel opened the door and walked into the bedroom. Travis had earphones in his ears when his mother walked into his bedroom. He removed the earphones from his ears and placed the tablet that was on his laps beside him on the bed. 

"Can we talk?" Chantel asked as she stood by the door. 

Travis nodded and Chantel took that as a sign to get closer to her son and sit by him on the bed. 

"So, what do you want to tell me, mom?"

"Travis, I know lately I have not been around. And I know we have not been close like we used back in Canada. It's just that, back there, we only had each other and our friends. And Aunt Marcela. But, here, things have been a bit tougher than I thought it would be. That is why I have been quite busy. Also, I wanted to apologise for my outburst earlier. I know it's been your wish to study here which is the more reason we came back and all I did was to oppose the decision you made," Chantel said. 

"Mom, why did you oppose to the idea of me going to that high school? I am ready to accept any explanation you give me. I don't want to see you hurt or get sad, mom. If you do not want me to go to that school, I will accept it."

"Travis listen to me. I know I said I did not want you to go to that high school but if that is what you want, I won't stop you. As I said, you are my son and I want you to be happy. So, if going to this school will make you happy, then I have no objections," Chantel smiled at him. 

"Really, mom? Thank you so much mom. I know going to this school will mean being away from you. But, I promise to come home during the weekends and also make you proud of me. I won't ever let you down," he said and hugged his mother. 

"I know, Travis. I know," Chantel replied and hugged her son. 

They remained like that for a while before they broke the hug. 

"Well, I have to go and take a quick shower and get something to eat. I kinda feel very hungry," Chantel said and Travis laughed. 

"Okay mom. Thank you so much. I love you."

"I love you more, soldier." Chantel walked out of her son's bedroom and he went back to listening to music on his tablet. 

Chantel entered her bedroom and quickly removed her clothing. She wrapped her towel around her lower body and quickly entered into the bathroom. After a quick shower, she changed into her pyjamas and dried her hair. That was when her phone began to ring. It was Cynthia. 

"Hey girl, what's up?" Chantel answered. 

"Hi. I was just calling to find out how you were doing. Especially after the wild party on Saturday," Cynthia said. 

"I am okay. And everything is going well actually. I had the opportunity to go and check on the employees at the warehouse and everything is going really smoothly."

"Oh, is that so? Well that's good news, girl."

"But, there is something. You won't believe what happened to me, today."

"What happened?"

"I bumped into Kevin today on my way to the restaurant to get some lunch. He tried talking to me and wanted to bring up the past again like he always does. It was quite annoying. I don't know why I even bump into him almost everywhere I go," Chantel complained. 

"I see. Chantel, don't you think it's about time you two settled your differences? Listen, I am not asking you to get back together with him. Maybe you should just listen to him without feeling angry or uncomfortable about it. You know," Cynthia suggested. 

"I don't really know, Cee. It's just that every time I see him, I just remember all the hurt and pain. And now to make things worse, Travis wants to go to the same high school Kevin went to."

"Wait, what? Are you really serious about that? Travis wants to go to the kings high school?"

"Yes, that is what he told me."

"So, are you going to let him go there? I mean, that's the same school Kevin attended."

"Well, I decided to let him go."

"Seriously? Wow, girl. I never thought you would be able to do that. Congratulations."

"My parents actually had a lot to do with it. Travis is my son and I have to trust him, right? He is a smart boy. And I know he will make the right decisions."

"That is true. Travis is a very good boy and I know he will take very good care of himself out there. He might be new here but he is a fighter. He will be able to stand on his own out there. Just give him a chance," Cynthia said. 

"I hope so. I am just a bit scared but I know my son won't disappoint me," Chantel said and smiled.