Just trying to let you guys know that I have survived the first half of this semester with decent grades. Everything is going well for my family, I am so close to the end of my freshman year of college and now I am in the right mood to write another chapter.
I have an exam soon, though. So I am going to try to wrap up this story as quickly as I can.
Also, if you see text that is bold like this, but with no italic, then that is me interfering in the story if you know what I mean.
It has now been months since Stan has allowed Wendy to move in with him and their son. It was weird adjusting to having Wendy back in his life, even though they are not yet official. Sterling was now a fragile 2-year-old, and Wendy was balancing work with being a mother. Soon, Stan has handed her the duty of picking up Sterling from Sharon and Randy when Wendy was finished with work. Wendy had tried to ignore the glares and disgusted looks Stan's parents would give her whenever she would pick her son up. She tried to ignore how she felt about Sharon and Randy resenting her, especially since she could not blame them. She had abandoned their son and grandson for a year, now she is suddenly back...and trying to fix what they believe is broken beyond repair.
But Stan was not oblivious to the situation, and he even made it clear when his parents visited that if they wouldn't hold up their resentment towards Wendy, then they should forget about attending their grandson's birthday. They decided to oblige but when Sterling finally turned two, they bought both him and his mother presents. For Sterling, a tricycle, and for Wendy, an ankle bracelet, which both Wendy's parents thought was a joke...but nobody else was laughing. Cartman even dropped by to check up on the two, and Wendy had to threaten him in case he would say anything foolish or joke about her efforts to try to be a good mother. Cartman, haunted by the scenario in elementary where Wendy had absolutely brutalized him at the playground, decided to shut his mouth.
Early morning. Wendy had moaned as her alarm went off. Another Day. She thought to herself before dragging her body out of the body. She rubbed her eyes as she entered the kitchen to fix herself some breakfast. She opened the cabinets and settled on some PB&J, just how she liked it when she was little. She was just in the middle of smearing the peanut butter on a slice of bread when a weak voice was heard.
"Mommy."
It felt as if time was frozen. Wendy turned and found her son still in his green pajamas. Stan stood tall behind Sterling as his son spoke. "Mommy."
Stan smirked and knelt down. "Yes, son. That is Mommy right there."
Wendy couldn't help it. After everything she has done, she never thought she deserved the title of being a mother. Now here was her only child, referring to her as such. Tears formed in her eyes as she spoke. "Yes, son. I am here."
Nichole and Wendy decided to spend their lunch break with the others, inviting Bebe, Heidi Stan, Kyle, Kenny, and even Cartman. They all decided to take a tiny break from their work or studies to spend their lunch together at the local diner they typically visited as children. They sat at a booth near the entrance with Wendy taking a seat in the middle with Stan. The others became used to seeing Stan become tamer with Wendy around, even though the latter had abandoned the former a while ago to fend for himself and their son.
The boys sat to the right of Stan, while Wendy's three closest friends decided to her right, with Heidi trying to avoid facing Cartman, who sat at the other end of the booth.
After having their orders taken, Kyle looked up and noticed the delighted expression that was etched on Stan's face as the latter was having a chat with Wendy, mainly about their son. He remembered that day when Stan had invited him to their home to have dinner, and Kyle completely wrecked it with a few spiteful statements.
"Well, I mean, you can't just disappear and expect Stan to forgive you easily."
Kyle remembered his chest started to ache with guilt when he returned to his room to cram into his studies. He realized what he has said was uncalled for, especially when Wendy had proven for the past few months she was capable of being a mother again, despite what she had done.
Kyle cleared his throat as he spoke. "Wendy?"
Wendy looked curiously at Kyle with an eyebrow raised. Kyle scratched the back of his head as he spoke. "I am...kind of glad that you are trying your best to push yourself back into Stan and Sterling's lives, and I am sorry for doubting you."
Wendy blinked in surprise before smiling and nodding her head. "Thank you, and it is no big deal. I never thought it would work out so well."
Just then, Cartman mumbled bitterly as he prepared a sip from his Pepsi. "No surprise there..."
Bebe's head shot up from her phone as she spoke. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Stan shifted uncomfortably in his seat as Cartman spoke with a glare. "She abandoned him and their baby for a year. I may not have been the best friend Stan has ever had, but I know him better for him to take someone back so easily, especially after EVERYTHING rejection note this lady has given him in the past!"
Kenny then spoke up. "I hate to say this, but I agree. Stan's life did take a turn for a better before she turned up again."
The situation was getting intense, grabbing everybody by the throats. Bystanders walked past the young adults, not interested in the heated conversation that was going on.
Wendy could not believe what she was hearing from both Cartman and Kenny, her friends were not going to stand by and have these boys smear Wendy's efforts to build her family back up again. Heidi sprung from her seat and barked out her statement. "It has been a year, and she had done a great job so far! Why can't you guys let go?"
"This has nothing to do with us, we are just saying that it would have been better if she never came back at all," Cartman barked, standing up from his seat as well. "After all these years, it seems to us that all Wendy's good at is making Stan miserable!"
Stan buried his face into his palms. He didn't feel like he should chew his friends out and tell them they were wrong because...they made a point. For years, from the constant rejections to the situation facing their son, it feels as if their relationship shouldn't have ever started to begin with.
Wendy felt tears form in her eyes as she felt the need to break down into tears. Instead, she stood up, pushed her friends out of the way, and darted towards the exit.
Both Bebe and Heidi turned their heads back facing the boys and glared at them before grabbing their purses and making their way towards the exit...just when the waiter finally arrived with their food.
"We will take everything to go," Cartman quipped the waiter. Nichole exited the restaurant to drive Wendy back to work, while Kenny and Kyle left the scene to return to their studies.
Stan felt like there was no point in trying to fix something he never damaged in the first place. What was the point?
Maybe Kenny and Cartman are both right. He thought. Perhaps being a single father isn't so bad after all...or perhaps I should take Mom's offer to find another woman.
Why bother to fix something I have done no damage to? Perhaps buying that ring was a waste of time.
Wait, a ring?
Back outside, Kyle stopped Wendy as she was trying to get into her car. He pulled her shoulder and whispered calmly into her ear. "Just wanted to let you know that I meant it when I said back there. You shouldn't give up because of some dumb shit Cartman said. You should keep trying..."
Wendy gave Kyle a grateful smile which quickly faded when he turned his back around. She wanted to forgive her, but she couldn't bring herself to. It has been a year, and her relationship with her son has improved, as well as her relationship with Stan. But there was this sinking feeling that was filled with doubt.
Perhaps this was a topic she needed to discuss with Dr. College.
I hope you guys enjoyed it. Please review.
