Chapter 6: Letting Go

If Caleb wants to leave, let him go; if Mason wants to be close to someone, let him be. I will no longer persist or force anything.

"Mm."

I nodded, intending to enter the house, but Mason called out to me again.

"Mom."

This time, his voice held a trace of impatience.

I thought he had something to say, so I looked at him in confusion. His little face was pursed, but his eyes shone as he looked at me.

"Today, Dad taught me how to skateboard."

I’d seen it. I was about to nod to show I knew, but then recalled some small details from my previous life.

Back then, whenever Mason did anything, I’d always ask about it when I got home, then praise him lavishly.

If he learned to ride a bike, I’d say he was amazing and could help me get groceries in the future.

Even though Mason would keep a straight face and say, "That’s easy stuff, silly Mom, you wouldn’t get it," I could still see the pride in his little manner.

Today, he learned skateboarding, but I hadn’t reacted at all—my response was cold.

No wonder Mason took the initiative to mention it.

But…

I still hold a grudge; even after starting over, I can’t let go.

My fingers twitched, wanting to ruffle his hair, but I kept my hands at my sides. "Mm. Not bad, but you’ve got a ways to go yet."

The brightness in Mason’s little face dimmed instantly. He snorted, then turned to ask Aubrey,

"Aunt Aubrey, am I amazing?"

"Of course you are."

Aubrey smiled, full of praise.

Mason then asked if she could take him to get some ice cream. "Can we get ice cream at Dairy Queen?" Aubrey agreed, so he took her hand and walked past me.

"I want to get three cones—one for Dad, one for you, and one for me."

His words seemed deliberately loud for me to hear.

In the past, I would have been gloomy and hurt. But now…

Let it go.

I watched them disappear down the sidewalk, Mason’s small hand tight in Aubrey’s. The summer air was thick with the promise of melting ice cream and the sound of distant laughter—worlds I no longer had to belong to if I didn’t want.