My mother.
She looked almost like a mirage, standing there with her perfectly tailored coat and well-coiffed hair, her expression unreadable as she scanned the crowd. I stood frozen in place, unsure of what to do or say. My world felt like it had just tilted on its axis, the festival noise fading into the background as I tried to process the fact that my mother was here, in Hallow’s End, at the Halloween festival.
“Mom?” I murmured, more to myself than anyone else.
My mother’s gaze locked onto mine, and the look in her eyes was enough to tell me why she was here. I turned back to Ethan, who had noticed the shift in my demeanor. His brow furrowed in concern but, before he could say anything, I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “I need to take care of something,” I said, offering a small, strained smile. “I’ll be right back.”
Ethan’s eyes flicked from me to the woman standing in the distance. Understanding dawned on his face and he nodded, giving my hand one last squeeze before letting me go. “Take your time,” he said softly.
I began to weave through the crowd, my heart pounding with anxiety and anticipation. As I approached my mother, I could see the tension in her posture, the way her hands clenched the strap of her purse. She was out of her element here, but she had come anyway.
When I finally reached her, we stood in silence, the distance between us feeling both vast and fragile. She gave me a hesitant smile. The kind that showed she wasn’t entirely sure if she was welcome.
“Mom,” I said. “What are you doing here?”
She looked around, taking in the sights and sounds of the festival. “I wanted to see you,” she replied softly. “I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner, to the gallery opening. I should have been there.”
Her vulnerability took me by surprise. “It’s okay,” I said, though I wasn’t sure if I entirely believed it.
“I’ve seen pictures of your gallery online, Vinnie. It’s absolutely amazing—so full of life and character, just like you. Even from the photos, I can tell how much heart you’ve put into it. Your artwork . . . it’s so beautiful and raw. I’d love to see it in person.” My mother’s gaze softened as she spoke.
Her words caught me off guard, filling me with a warmth I hadn’t expected. The thought that she had taken the time to look at my work, to really see it, meant more than I could express. “Thank you,” I managed, my voice thick with emotion. “That means a lot.”
She sighed, glancing down at her hands before meeting my eyes again. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately. About the distance between us, and how much of it was because I wasn’t there for you when you needed me most. I was so focused on trying to keep everything together—your father’s work, my own duties—that I closed myself off. And in doing so, I shut you out, too.”
Her honesty, and her willingness to admit where she had gone wrong, touched a deep part of me that had been waiting years to hear these words. “It hurt, Mom,” I said, my voice trembling. “But hearing you say this now . . . it means everything to me.”
She nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek. “I’m so sorry, Vinnie. I should have been more present, more supportive. I should have been there for you. And I regret every day that I wasn’t.”
A tear slipped down my own cheek as I listened to her words, the sincerity and regret in her voice touching a deep part of me. “But I’m here now,” she continued, reaching out to take my hand. “And I want to be a part of your life, if you’ll have me.”
I squeezed her hand, a wave of relief and happiness washing over me. “Of course, I want you in my life, Mom. I’ve always wanted that.”
She smiled. “I’ve always been so proud of you, even if I didn’t show it. You’ve made a life for yourself here, something I didn’t understand before. But now, seeing it, seeingyou. . . I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” I said softly, my voice filled with emotion. “It means a lot to me.”
We stood in silence again, the years of distance and misunderstanding slowly dissolving. I could see the pain in her eyes, the regret for the times she had been so blind to my desires. But more importantly, I saw love, and hope.
“What about Dad?” I asked cautiously.
She sighed, a hint of sadness in her eyes. “He’s still coming to terms with it. He has a hard time letting go of his expectations, but I believe, in time, he’ll come around. For now, it’s important that we take this step, you and I.”
I nodded. “I hope so. I want him to see that this is where I belong, that I’m happy here.”
“We’ll work on it together, Vinnie,” my mother said, radiating genuine tenderness. “We’ll mend what’s been broken, and build the relationship we should have had years ago.”
As we stood there, surrounded by the festive lights and laughter of the Halloween festival, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. The bond between us was beginning to heal, and while the road ahead might be long, it felt like we were on the right path.
My mother stepped closer, hesitating for a moment before wrapping her arms around me. At first, the hug was stiff and awkward, as if we were both unsure how to navigate this unfamiliar territory. But then, as if by mutual agreement, we both relaxed into the embrace. The scent of her perfume—a blend of jasmine, vanilla, and sandalwood—enveloped me. It was the kind of fragrance that spoke of elegance and sophistication.
There was a warmth to her scent. It brought with it a sense of peace, a hope that maybe, just maybe, we could find our way back to each other.
When we parted, I noticed Ethan watching us from a distance, and I turned back to my mother, giving her hand one last squeeze before letting go. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to Ethan,” I said, my voice steady. “He’s been a big part of my life here.”
She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “I’d like that, Vinnie. I’d like to get to know the man who’s made you so happy.”
As we walked back toward the apple-bobbing station, my heart raced. Introducing my mother to Ethan felt like a significant moment, one that bridged two very different parts of my life.
