Chapter 15 - “YOU STILL AREN’T MY MOM”Weeks later, Eli said it again.
Not during fight.
They were grocery shopping.
Naomi picked cereal.
“You like this?”
Eli:
“Mom used to buy Cinnamon Crunch.”
Naomi:
“You want?”
“Yeah.”
She put cart.
Then:
“You still aren’t my mom.”
Naomi looked.
“No.”
“I know.”
He seemed disappointed she didn't react.
“Does that bother you?”
“Sometimes.”
He blinked.
“You said—”
“I said I don't need title.”
“That doesn't mean words never hurt.”
Eli quiet.
Naomi:
“I can care and feel hurt.”
He nodded.
Then:
“Do you want kids?”
Naomi surprised.
“Maybe.”
“With Dad?”
“Maybe.”
“Then will you care about them more?”
There.
Fear.
Replacement reverse.
Eli thought new child would make Naomi real mom and him less.
Naomi stopped cart.
“No.”
“You say.”
“I’ll love them differently because every relationship different.”
“But family isn't pie.”
“What?”
“Love isn't slice smaller.”
Corny but.
Eli rolled eyes.
“That's cringe.”
“Accurate cringe.”
He smiled.
Then:
“If you and Dad have baby, will Mom still be allowed here?”
Naomi realized Tessa had made family structure zero-sum.
“Yes.”
“Even if she hates?”
“Your dad and Mom work schedule.”
“Not my job erase.”
He absorbed.
That night he told Tessa:
“Naomi says if they have baby you still can see me.”
Tessa laughed sadly.
“I would hope.”
“She doesn’t hate you.”
Tessa:
“We’re not friends.”
“Could be?”
“Maybe someday.”
“Not necessary.”
Healthy.
Eli's statement “you’re not my mom” lost power as attack when Naomi accepted boundary.
He eventually used name with warmth.
May you like
Not Mom.
That is okay.
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