Copyright Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
I was nervous for you today, but then I’ve always worried about you. Knowing this, you turn and flash the smile that still makes my heart turn over.
We’re perfectly in tune; words are superfluous between us.
You hold out a hand and I come to your side, laying my cheek against yours whilst the gate attendant glances anxiously around; we’re delaying others boarding.
Your bride still smiles, but something of her radiance has dimmed.
Today is no more the victory she’d anticipated than it is the defeat she’d wished upon me.
And she knows that now.
You’ll always be mine, son.
I was more or less resigned to not taking part in Friday Fictioneers this week; arrived back home on Saturday to find we had no telephone line and hence no broadband. Still can’t believe it’s taken four days to find a damaged cable in BT’s network, but at least they did so, and 36 hours before they promised they would. 🙂 Now to start downloading apps onto my new tab… And to reading your stories of course. Apologies for those I didn’t get round to last week because of travel and internet issues.
castelsarrasin 
Dear Sandra,
Already the tension between mother and daughter-in-law has begun. I would be interested in hearing it from the latter’s point of view. At any rate another layered and well written story.
I’m happy you were able to get connected. .You’d be sorely missed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. I’ve been seriously grumpy without internet connection. I’d forgotten just how much I rely on it.
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Touching tale, Sandra.
Wife & Mom-in-law issue… The Son is the one who suffers these 2 ladies…
Of course, no one can take the son away from his Mom 🙂
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Thanks Anita. Yes, he’s definitely being pulled in two directions.
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Ohhh. As the mother of 3 boys I wonder how I will feel when the have their own families. Great story.
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Pause for thought there. Hopefully they’ll bring home some lovely wives and partners.
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Very well written Sandra. A mother’s bond to her child is always strong, but at some point, all mothers have to let go a little!
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Not this one, I fear. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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Didn’t see that coming, it started so gentle and loving and then – baaam!!!
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I don’t think the bride did either… 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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Sounds like the poor thing will have a monster-in-law to contend with. I can only imagine how the groom will deal with being in the middle..
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I rather think he’s enjoying it. 😉
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A situation I hope that I never find myself in, though it is lovely that he has such a close relationship with his mother.
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Close … maybe too close. 😦
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A beautiful story! You capture that fear I feel about my son already (and he’s not even 1!) that one day he’ll fall in love and move away forever… whether it’s around the corner or to the other side of the world, it can’t be easy!
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I’m sure you’ll handle it beautifully. Well, I’m sure you’ll try to…. 😉
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Sandra, Great that you’ve got your phone line back with the broadband. Good story. I really don’t know my daughter-in-law yet, our being in India. I know our son loves us, but has responsibilities to his family. I’m perfectly reconciled to that. We just want to see both out children happily married. Well written as always. 🙂 —Susan
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Thank you Susan. Yes, I’m thrilled to be on line again.
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Very sweet, Sandra. I’m glad you you were able to submit, otherwise we would have missed out on a wonderfully poignant story. My mom never has been like that, though. I think she was probably glad I even got out of the house! No, she’s a good egg and she’d probably like her daughter in-law, (if she ever gets one!). Great!
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Thanks Kent. I expect she’s awaiting a daughter-in-law with great anticipation. You’d better make sure you get it right. 🙂
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I hope so, too. 😉
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Caught me off guard there. I should know better than to expect the obvious from you. Well done.
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🙂 Pleased to surprise you Adam.
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Touching.Caught me off guard.very well written, but you always write well.
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Thank you Indira, glad you liked it.
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Having been on the opposite side of this story, I feel some pain for that dear bride who has likely just become painfully aware that she may always play second fiddle to the first woman in her husband’s life. I hope the years prove her wrong. Time for mommy to let go. It’s the loving thing to do.
Kindest regards,
Marie Gail
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She’s all heart, this mother-in-law. 🙂
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I kind of feel sorry for the son. Mom needs to let go. Well done.
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Good story, Sandra. No doubt there are women like the mother out there.
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Sure of it Paul. Thanks for dropping by.
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The mother sounds very possessive. Why do women have to be like that?
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Because people let them, I guess.
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I loved how I was completely thrown off, really great job 🙂
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Thanks Helen. 🙂
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Oh dear! Even the comments scare me…there’s some mothers there who are going to have trouble letting go of their sons….and yes, that mother was just a little tweenieweeny bit too close. I can really see her going all the way with her daughter-in-law, tragic accident y’know…..
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A writer after my own heart… 🙂
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I was going to use the American expression “get a grip, lady!” but then I see you’ve titled your story “Never Letting Go” and I see that it is pointless. On a side note, my mother-in-law handed over her son quite generously, I was lucky that way.
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Thanks for reading Barbara. Yes, my mother-in-law was a lovely lady; I thought we’d many happy years ahead of us but she died quite unexpectedly and I’ve always regretted we didn’t spend more time together.
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The battle for the son… A good mother will give up… The best way to win..
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It’s for the best. Daughters-in-law have ways of making them pay… 😦
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As a the mother of a son I know this feeling. I love my son and want nothing but happiness for him. One day that will mean marrying the woman he loves. And I will love her too.
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I hope so Dawn. And I hope she makes him happy.
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Mother-daughter-in-law rivalries never cease.
As good as sibling ones – however, one of them is supposed to have one who is more mature.
It’s a matter of judgment, I guess, which one is which.
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There’s mature and mature. This mother-in-law isn’t quite there yet.
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Dear Sandra,
Your voice is so perfect in this piece. Eloquent depiction of unadulterated and unalterable love.
Aloha,
Doug
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Thank you Doug. I was going for a hint of menace with this one (being the writer I am 😦 )
but I’m not sure it’s coming through. Congrats on your recent success.
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Wonderfully written. Again.
(and again and again and again…)
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Thank you, thank you, thank…. 😉
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This puts me in mind of that film “Monster in Law” (though I think it was the girl’s mother in that). I hope the son has the strength to back his wife up in the future, or that marriage is going to be somewhat rocky.
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I think you’re right. 🙂
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A great story of love and the difficulties of letting go. Nicely written.
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Or not letting go. Thanks for reading Maree.
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Reading your story today makes me feel very fortunate to have had my mother-in-law. Well written as always, Sandra!
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Yes, I was lucky too. Thanks for reading Lynda.
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Oh, Sandra… I’m worried that the only one here without a diagnosable condition is the poor daughter-in-law.
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🙂 Right on the nail there. Glad you got that.
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Great piece of drama here. Hope it works out for him.
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It’s the daughter in law I’m worried for. Thanks for reading.
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Sandra, your story beautifully pinpoints the threat that mothers-and-daughters-in-law often experience. Then, unfortunately, the situation can devolve into a matter of ‘fight-or-flight’. I am so grateful every day for my wonderful daughter-in-law – she’s a complete gem!
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It’s lovely when it all works out. I felt that I was lucky too.
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Oh my, I didn’t see that turn of events. Then I had to reread it to make sure the story stood with that piece in play. Nice writing!
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Thank you. That’s a precaution I always take too! 🙂
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My goodness! Hopefully he’s married a strong woman or at least one who won’t care that mom won’t let go. Nice turn at the end.
Ellespeth
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Thanks Ellespeth. Glad you liked it.
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Wow, what a tug of war there. Very well portrayed, Sandra. I love the bride’s “dimmed radiance”.
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Thanks Joanna. 🙂
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Wow, this was a great one! You packed a load into 100 words….that last line, a zinger! Loved this!
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Thank you Claudia.
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The way a mother can become this attached to her son makes me feel funny inside, but I guess it happens quite a lot. Good story, it really stirred the emotions.
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excellent story, Sandra. makes me think this mom character may be a bit selfish not allowing her son to blossom out on his own.
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Such a familiar story about mothers and sons and daughters-in-law. You caught it perfectly.
Lily
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Ah! The oldest battle between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law. Very interestingly depicted here.
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Dear Sandra, Good story and I have 4 sons that are married to delightful young ladies. I’ve been lucky about that! Very poignant! Nan 😉
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Ouch. My son left last night for a one year trip to Australia… with his girlfriend. I may not be the mother in your story (ick) but, this story strikes a chord, Sandra! Ouch.
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So well written,Sandra. You pull me right in. The mother/son relationship is a strong one. Having two sons, I know I may face this triangle someday.
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This one hit home. As a mother of sons and mother-in-law to two gorgeous ladies, it is has sometimes been difficult to find the right path. What’s the old saying ‘A daughter’s your daughter for all of her life, a son is your son, till he takes a wife.’ I see the meaning behind this, but the love is still as strong, on both sides.
Dee
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I’m trying to work out whether the mother or the new wife is the control freak. Either way, cleverly told. Overbearing mother? Attention seeking wife? Nope still don’t know, but I’m plumping for the mother being the nice one because the line about the wife’s victory is matter of fact, not gleeful.
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