02/26/2025
This past year has been anything but easy. My husband left, and Iโve been raising our 7-year-old son alone. Thanksgiving was shaping up to be a far cry from what it used to be. I sat at our old dining table, picturing the feasts we once had. But this year, there was no turkey, no pies, and not even a single decoration.
My son deserved a real holiday, though, so when my ex invited us to spend Thanksgiving with him and his new wife, Jill, I reluctantly agreed. Jill is perfect, the epitome of a blonde bombshell and a domestic goddess, and everything Iโm not. But Iโll do whatever it takes to make my son happy, even if it means putting up with this snake.
Walking into their home, I was struck by how flawless everything was. The decorations were magazine-worthy, the smell of roasted turkey filled the air, and Jill greeted us with a warm smile. I forced a polite laugh and said, "This looks beautiful!" But deep down, I felt completely out of place.
What truly crushed me was my sonโs reaction. He was in awe of Jill. He raved about her fall decorations, declared her turkey the best heโd ever tasted, and couldnโt stop talking about the expensive gifts she had given him. I felt invisible, like I was just fading into the background. My heart ached, but I held it together... until that moment.
My son stood up to share what he was thankful for this year. "Iโm thankful for Dad," he began. "And Iโm thankful for Jill. She makes the best desserts and got me the video game Iโve wanted forever. And..."
But his next words made my heart sink.๐