Wram 372

Wram 372 Summary

 

In “Wram 372,” the story unfolds during a quiet evening at home, where the narrator takes care of her son, Ethan, while her partner, Hazel, cleans up in the kitchen. Ethan’s playful nature shines through as he negotiates for more bedtime stories, showcasing his innocence and enthusiasm. However, the conversation takes a poignant turn when Ethan asks about his father, prompting a wave of sadness for the narrator as she reflects on the absence of a father figure in Ethan’s life. Despite her efforts to maintain a cheerful demeanor, the emotional weight of their situation lingers in the air.

 

As Ethan drifts off to sleep, the narrator finds solace in the comforting silence of the living room, where she shares light-hearted banter with Hazel and her mother. This moment of camaraderie brings a sense of nostalgia and warmth, reminding the narrator of simpler times before her life became complicated by relationships and responsibilities. The laughter shared between the women serves as a temporary escape from the underlying tensions surrounding Ethan’s father.

 

The mood shifts dramatically when Hazel reveals that Alexander, the narrator’s estranged partner, unexpectedly visited her café after years of absence. This news triggers a wave of anxiety and frustration for the narrator, who grapples with the implications of Alexander’s return. Hazel’s probing questions about the potential consequences of Alexander discovering Ethan’s existence add to the narrator’s turmoil, highlighting her fears of facing the past and the unknown future.

 

The conversation escalates as the narrator’s frustration boils over, revealing her deep-seated feelings of betrayal and anger towards Alexander for his absence during crucial moments of their lives. Hazel’s persistent questioning forces the narrator to confront uncomfortable truths about their relationship and the possibility of Alexander re-entering their lives. The story captures a blend of tenderness and tension, illustrating the complexities of motherhood, love, and the haunting specter of unresolved relationships.

 

Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below

**Wram 372**

After the evening meal had settled, I took on the responsibility of supervising bath time while Hazel busied herself with the kitchen cleanup. Ethan, in his usual exuberance, splashed around in the tub, sending waves of water that soaked through my favorite sweater.

“Mommy, can we read three stories tonight?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

I countered gently, wrapping him snugly in a towel. “Just one story tonight, sweetheart. It’s a school night after all.”

“Two stories?” he negotiated, his little face scrunching up in that adorable way that made it hard for me to resist.

I chuckled softly, “How about one and a half?”

“What’s half a story?” he queried, his curiosity piqued.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” I replied, ruffling his damp hair as I dressed him in his cozy pajamas. I picked up his current favorite book, the one about a dragon terrified of his own fire, and settled in beside him.

“Mommy?” His voice was already heavy with sleep as I read. “Do you think my daddy would like dragons?”

A pang shot through my heart at the mention of his father. “I think any daddy would be lucky to like whatever you like,” I managed to say, forcing a smile.

“Miss Daisy at school says her daddy takes her to the zoo. Can my daddy take me to the zoo?” His innocent question hung in the air, a reminder of what he was missing.

I brushed his hair back gently, trying to mask the sadness that crept in. “Remember, your daddy lives very far away. But Grandma can take you to the zoo this weekend. How does that sound?”

“Okay,” he yawned, his eyelids fluttering as he fought to stay awake. “Love you, Mommy.”

“Love you too, baby,” I whispered, tucking him in a little tighter.

I continued reading, my voice blending with the soft sounds of his snores, and I lingered for a moment longer, just watching him drift into dreams. His small face was serene, a picture of innocence untouched by the complexities of adult life and the heartaches that came with it.

He deserved so much more than a father who had never made an effort to be present in his life.

Kissing Ethan’s forehead one last time, I inhaled the comforting scent of soap and sunshine before quietly slipping out of his room and shutting the door behind me with utmost care.

The living room was enveloped in a comforting silence, the only sound being the soft clinking of dishes. I found Hazel diligently loading the dishwasher while my mother stood at the kitchen counter, wrapping up leftovers in shiny aluminum foil.

“He’s out,” I announced, sinking into the couch with a sigh of relief.

“That boy could talk your ear off,” my mom remarked with a smile, sealing a container of pasta. “Captain Alex this, Captain Alex that. Where does he come up with these stories?”

“An overactive imagination,” I replied, catching Hazel’s gaze as she glanced over my mother’s shoulder.

“Well, it’s sweet,” my mom said, wiping down the counter. “I’m heading to bed. These book club meetings always wear me out. All that arguing about symbolism.” She leaned down to give me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Don’t stay up too late, you two.”

“Night, Mom,” I said, watching her retreat.

“Goodnight, Mrs. Harper,” Hazel called after her.

Once we heard the soft click of my mom’s bedroom door, Hazel crossed the room and plopped down beside me on the couch.

“Tea?” she asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Or something stronger?”

“Tea’s fine. I have to work tomorrow,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

Hazel rose and headed back to the kitchen, filling the kettle with water. “You know, when I drove all the way out here, I was hoping for a nice, relaxing catch-up. Maybe some terrible reality TV. Ice cream straight from the container.”

“Sorry to disappoint you,” I said with a teasing smile.

“Oh, you never disappoint,” she replied, pulling two mugs from the cupboard. “You always manage to keep things interesting. Remember college? Every week was some new drama.”

“That was mostly you,” I protested, unable to hold back a laugh. “I was the boring one who actually studied.”

“You were the one who accidentally joined a protest rally, thinking it was a campus tour,” she reminded me, her laughter ringing out.

“That was one time! And how was I supposed to know?” I defended, a smile creeping onto my face.

For a fleeting moment, the laughter felt like a warm embrace, reminiscent of simpler times—before Alexander, before Ethan, before everything spiraled into complexity.

The kettle whistled, and Hazel poured the steaming water over the tea bags, the familiar ritual of preparing tea bringing a sense of calm. She carried both mugs over, handing one to me before settling back onto the couch.

“Chamomile with honey,” she announced, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. “Just like your mom used to make during our late-night study sessions.”

I wrapped my hands around the warm ceramic, savoring the warmth. “Thanks.”

“So,” Hazel began, blowing gently on her tea. “You won’t believe it, but Alexander Knight showed up at your café today. Out of the blue. And you didn’t kick him in the balls?”

I nearly choked on my tea. “What?”

“Come on,” she grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “The man ghosts you for years, then strolls into your café like nothing happened? If it were me, I’d have introduced his testicles to my knee.”

“I thought about it,” I admitted, taking another cautious sip.

“But?” she pressed, her curiosity piqued.

“But I have a business to run. Assaulting customers isn’t great for reviews,” I replied, trying to sound more nonchalant than I felt.

“Solid reasoning,” Hazel said, taking a sip of her tea. “Very practical of you.”

“I try,” I said, attempting to keep the mood light.

“So what’s the plan?” She set her mug down on the coffee table, her expression suddenly serious. “Because you know he’s coming back tomorrow.”

I groaned, pressing the heels of my hands against my eyes in frustration. “I know.”

“What if he finds out about Ethan?” she asked, her tone dropping as the weight of the question settled between us like a heavy fog.

The question struck me like a punch to the gut. I dropped my hands and met Hazel’s concerned gaze.

“He won’t,” I replied, trying to sound more confident than I truly felt.

“Madison.” Hazel leaned forward, her voice low and steady. “He showed up at your café out of nowhere after five years. The man drove all the way from Manhattan just to ask why you quit. That’s not casual curiosity. That’s obsession.”

“Alexander doesn’t get obsessed with people. He gets obsessed with problems,” I countered, trying to convince myself.

“And you’re a problem he can’t solve,” she pointed out, reaching for her tea again. “What happens when he sees Ethan? When he sees a four-year-old boy with his exact face?”

“Ethan’s at preschool during café hours. Alexander won’t see him,” I insisted, clinging to my plan.

“What about picking him up? What if your mom brings him by for a snack like she does twice a week?” Hazel pressed, her brow furrowing with concern.

“I’ll tell Mom to keep him home,” I said, trying to sound resolute.

“For how long?” Hazel challenged. “A week? A month? Forever? This is a small town, Madison. Eventually, Alexander will see him.”

I stood up, my agitation bubbling over. “Then I’ll deal with it when it happens.”

“Will you?” Hazel followed my pacing with her eyes, concern etched on her face. “Because from where I’m sitting, you’re hoping he’ll just disappear again.”

“Can you blame me?” I spun to face her, frustration spilling out. “He had five years to reach out. Five years to call, text, send a damn carrier pigeon. He did nothing. Now suddenly he cares why I left?”

“Do you think he knows about the pregnancy text?” Hazel’s question hit me like a cold wave.

I froze, the realization dawning on me. “What?”

“The text you sent him,” she clarified, setting her mug down carefully. “The one telling him you were pregnant. Are you sure he got it?”

“It delivered,” I said, my voice flat. “I watched it go through. He read it.”

“Are you sure?” Hazel asked, her tone serious, probing for the truth.

Conclusion

 

In the quiet aftermath of the evening, the weight of unspoken fears and unresolved emotions settled heavily in the room. As I sat on the couch, cradling the warmth of my tea, I felt a tumult of conflicting feelings swirl within me. The laughter shared with Hazel had offered a brief escape, a nostalgic reminder of carefree days, yet the looming presence of Alexander’s unexpected return cast a shadow over my heart. The innocence of Ethan’s questions about his father echoed hauntingly, a stark reminder of the void left by a man who had chosen absence over presence. I knew that no matter how much I wanted to shield my son from the complexities of our past, the truth was an inevitable storm on the horizon, threatening to unravel the fragile peace I had built.

 

With each passing moment, the reality of Alexander’s reappearance gnawed at my resolve. I had spent years crafting a life for Ethan, one that was free from the chaos that Alexander had brought into my world. But now, as Hazel’s probing questions pierced through my carefully constructed defenses, I recognized that I could no longer run from the past. The prospect of Ethan meeting his father, of confronting the reality of a man who had been nothing but a ghost in our lives, filled me with dread. Yet, deep down, I understood that facing this moment was essential—not just for me, but for Ethan, who deserved to know the truth of where he came from. As I took a deep breath, I realized that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but perhaps it was time to embrace the uncertainty and confront the shadows of our shared history.

 

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

 

In the next chapter, readers can expect the tension to escalate as Madison grapples with the unexpected reappearance of Alexander in her life. The stakes are higher than ever, as Hazel’s probing questions reveal the cracks in Madison’s carefully constructed facade. Will she be able to keep her past hidden, or will Alexander’s curiosity lead him to discover the truth about Ethan? The emotional turmoil within Madison is palpable, and her internal struggle will resonate deeply as she weighs the risks of confronting her past against the desire to protect her son.

 

Moreover, the chapter promises to delve deeper into the complexities of their relationship. As Madison prepares for Alexander’s return to the café, the air will thrum with unspoken questions and unresolved feelings. Will she confront him about the years of silence, or will she choose to maintain her distance? The anticipation builds as readers wonder if the reunion will lead to healing or further heartache. With Ethan’s innocent inquiries looming over her, Madison must navigate the treacherous waters of motherhood, love, and betrayal, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how she will respond to the man who once meant everything to her.