A Mother Who Stayed
Chapter 18 - A Mother Who Stayed
Sofia's return had not magically erased the months of separation. Matteo sometimes became angry when she left a room. He asked where she'd been and why she hadn't rescued him sooner. Sofia answered honestly without making him responsible for comforting her.
"I was prevented from coming back," she told him. "I kept trying to find a safe way home. You did nothing wrong."
Some evenings he accepted that. Other evenings he slammed his bedroom door and cried. She stayed nearby, allowing his feelings without making promises she couldn't control.
She also received professional help of her own. The months of threats and isolation had left her frightened of unfamiliar cars and unexpected phone calls. Rebuilding safety wasn't a task she could complete through love alone.
One morning Matteo found her standing at the kitchen window, breathing slowly after a delivery truck had startled her.
"Are you scared, Mama?"
She crouched. "A little. But I'm safe here, and I know how to get help."
"Can I hug you?"
"I'd love that."
They embraced.
Later, Angelo asked Sofia what she wanted for the future. He had expected her to request a larger house, a new car, or financial security.
"I want to teach again," she said. "I want a home where Matteo can bring friends without anybody being afraid of us. I want to stop hiding."
Angelo nodded. "Then that's what we should work toward."
They moved into a modest but comfortable home closer to Matteo's school and Sofia's new teaching position. Angelo kept an apartment nearby, close enough for Sunday dinners and school concerts without claiming control over their lives.
On moving day, Matteo supervised everything.
"The rocking horse goes in my room. The airplanes go above the desk. And Nonno's pancake pan goes in the trash."
Angelo pretended to be offended. "My pancakes are legendary."
"They're legendary potatoes," Matteo said.
Everyone laughed.
That evening Sofia tucked Matteo into his new bed. He looked around at the posters, shelves, and warm yellow lamp.
"This house has a lot of doors," he observed.
"It does."
"Are they going to lock me outside?"
Sofia sat beside him. "No one is allowed to use doors to hurt or frighten you."
May you like
He thought about that for a moment.
Then smiled. "Good. Because I like my room."
