Three Chances, Then Never Again

I froze for a moment, then instinctively rose and headed for the exit.

That was when I saw Zoey fixing Sean's hair.

Nearby, Jonathan stood by the elevator, watching his mother with another man. She was gentle and patient in a way we had never seen.

I wanted to take him away, but Zoey noticed him. Her body stiffened, and she withdrew her hand. But the next second, she stepped in front of Sean and walked past Jonathan as if he were a stranger.

My heart ached. I quickly led Jonathan back to my desk.

Before I could explain, his eyes welled up with tears, and he asked, "Daddy, is that the person Ms. Sutton likes?"

I lost the strength to speak and could only nod, my vision blurring. He didn't ask further, quietly working on his homework, though tears soaked the paper.

I pulled him into my arms and held him tightly. He was all that mattered to me.

Zoey had two chances left before she lost us for good.

We packed up and headed home.

On the way, Jonathan asked, "Daddy, can Ms. Sutton come to the parent-teacher meeting tonight?"

Zoey had never attended Jonathan's parent-teacher meetings.

Seeing the hopeful look in his eyes, I couldn't refuse. I quickly sent her a text message.

"Jonathan has a parent-teacher meeting tonight. Are you free?"

As always, there was no response.

Jonathan lowered his head, hugging his backpack. "She doesn't want to come, right?"

Then, pretending not to care, he smiled softly and added, "It's okay. She's busy. I understand."

His words crushed me, and I felt as if a massive stone had been placed on my chest.

Just as I was about to speak, my phone buzzed. Zoey had replied.

"I'm free. I'll come."

My heart leaped, and I showed Jonathan the message immediately. "Jon, look. Your mommy is coming."

He was stunned for a second before breaking into a bright, happy grin.

For the first time, Zoey had agreed to attend a parent-teacher meeting.

Excited, Jonathan couldn't stop talking on the way home. He told me about his grades, his teachers' praises, his awards, and how he had been elected class monitor. The teacher had promised to announce it during tonight's meeting.

Suddenly, he asked me, "Daddy, Mommy will like me more if she knows I'm doing so well in school, right?"

I froze, then my heart ached even more. Silently, I prayed that Zoey wouldn't back out.

Before leaving, I wanted Jonathan to get what he wished for, even if it was only a comforting illusion.

The clock on the wall ticked on. The time for the parent-teacher meeting drew closer.

Zoey still hadn't shown up.

Meanwhile, Sean had uploaded a post on Instagram.

In the photo, Zoey sat next to a boy I didn't recognize, guiding his hands as he built Legos.

The caption read, "A future good mommy."

I turned toward the living room.

Jonathan sat quietly on the couch, playing with his Legos.

Same toys, same age, and the same need for attention. But Zoey had never been there for Jonathan.

Sensing my gaze, he seemed to realize something.