Will You Marry Me Again

Hazel Dunlop West

It’s been seven years since I divorced my husband after I found out he was cheating on me with my best friend. After the divorce, I found out I was pregnant with his son, so I moved away from New York to Germany to raise my son away from him and his lies. A new city, a new job, a new life, a new house, new everything.

“Rise and shine, Zion” I said, opening the windows of my son’s room.

“Mommy, I still want to sleeeppp” he groans “can’t I just skip school today?”

I walked over to his bed and sat on it carrying him on my lap.

“Zion, what is it you want to become in the future again” I asked, looking at his cute face.

“Mommy, I can’t believe you forgot. I keep saying it every day” he said every day, folding his little hands.

“I’m so sorry, can you just remind mommy, I promise I won’t forget it” I said, acting like I had forgotten.

“I want to become a detective and catch bad people” he said, putting his hands on his waist. “Now don’t forget next time mommy, or I won’t be your friend anymore.”

“I never forgot my darling, I just wanted you to say it. If you don’t go to school every day, how will you become a detective”, I asked.

“OK fine, I'll go to school” he said, getting off of my lap and grabbing his towel.

“That’s a good boy” I said, raising my hands just a little above his head for a high five which he jumped excitedly to reach.

“Do you need help in the shower” I asked, already knowing his response.

“Of course, not mommy. Big boys don’t need help in the shower, and I’m a big boy” he said for the third time this week.

I let out a chuckle “alright then, shower and dress up. I’m going to make breakfast” I said, unhanging his uniform and putting it on the bed for him.

I headed down to the kitchen and ritualistically put on my favorite song bloom by Aqyuila and started cooking.