I’m Edith, 35, and my 10-year-old, Coby, is my heart. His dad passed in a crash when he was a baby, shattering me. Dave entered our lives soon after—solid, caring, a dad to Coby in every way.
We never told Coby about his real father. I thought the right time would show up. But at 10, Coby pulled back—quiet, far-off, a stranger.
At dinner, he nudged his spaghetti around. “School good?” I asked, hopeful. “Fine,” he muttered, eyes hidden.
Dave met my gaze, worried. “Math test alright?” he tried. “Yeah,” Coby said, escaping upstairs fast.
I leaned back, lost. “He’s fading,” I told Dave, voice low. “Just growing up,” he said, but it felt off.
His report card came—Ds and a C minus. I tapped on his door, stepping into chaos. “Grades are down,” I said, sitting near.
“So?” he shrugged, phone in hand. “Talk to me,” I begged. “Nothing’s wrong—leave!” he shot back, turning cold.
I retreated, tears falling outside. Dave found me. “He’s struggling,” I said. “He’ll come to us,” he promised, but he didn’t.
One night, I woke at 2:17 a.m.—Dave was gone. Coby’s room was empty, bed a mess. Fear gripped me.
I dialed Dave—voicemail. Our tracking app pinged them at Willowbrook Cemetery—Mark’s resting place.
Why there? I sped over, thoughts swirling. Had Coby learned about Mark? We’d kept it quiet too long.
I saw Dave’s car, then a lantern by the grave. Dave and Coby sat, chatting. “Your dad’s laugh was contagious,” Dave said.
Coby pressed, “More?” I stepped in—they spun. “Mom?” Coby said. Dave stood, “Let me explain.”
“How’d he find out?” I asked, shaken. “School—a kid overheard,” Coby said. “I got mad.”
“Dave helped,” he added. Dave nodded, “He came to me first.” I sat, “I should’ve told you.”
“No secrets,” Coby said, voice firm. “Dave said cancer took him,” he added. “He loved you,” I said, tearing up.
“I hid him—sorry,” I admitted. “Dave showed pics,” Coby said. We sat, bonded by truth.
“No more hiding,” Coby said, holding my hand. Dave smiled, “Let’s go.” Coby hugged me, “Love you, Mom.”
Dave’s look sealed it—we’d make it through, together.
