"Autumn Rendezvous"

Betty woke up this morning and the air seemed different and energizing...The leaves were beginning to get flecks of gold in them, and she has to sweep them from the deck a little more. There was something she loves about autumn. There is something about the air of the fall that takes her out. Betty was hanging out with friend Tory.
Betty: you know Tory I love this season for many reasons.

Tory: Why?

Betty: I miss my mom in every fall season.

Tory: what's so special about her and fall?

Betty: On my last Birthday, Mom brought me a bag of colorful fall leaves to for my birthday...we sat together, soaked and pressed them, and made her a beautiful collage of leaves all framed and matted. I keep it with me, always.

Tory:Huh!!

Betty: she said fall is more than departures. It's also about arrival. An interesting thing about seals that fall is the time when the seals mate in the water.

Tory: Oh really!!!!

Betty: Yap!!!!!My mom told me all about seals. The seals congregate just a few kilometers off shore for the mating season. Then with the deed done they come even closer to the shore in search of the newly formed ice to bask and rest on.
Betty was happy and was totally lost in her mom's arms.

Tory: Is your mom your step mom?

Betty stopped and was confused this time.

Betty: No!! Why..?

Tory: I heard my parents talking to your parents. Is she's really your step mom?

Betty was disappointed and in dilemma in whether to confront with her dad or to ask straight forwardly to her Mom. One Sunday morning when they all were going to the church Betty asked," Mom, are you my real mom?"

Mom sighed and said, "No"

Betty cried sitting at the back seat.

Next morning she found her step mom packing her bags as she felt very bad about the conversation they had. Her step mom was not living with them anymore. Tory and Betty were no more friends .She hated Tory for she disturbed her life .Before that the world was so beautiful and life seems so easy.

Ten months later Betty's Dad came to her and said that her step mom wants to talk to her.

Betty: But I don't!!

Dad: Listen Betty, after your mom's death there was no one to look after you and though I was not so physically able to take care of you, I married to a mean but a caring woman. Till date she is a wonderful mother .Tell me?? You aren't missing her. Anytime did you find any other person in your house? I am so sorry; I should have told you earlier. You are hurt my dear I know, but situations wanted me to do this.

Betty was getting emotional for she's really missing her mom...so what she is not her real Mom.

Betty: Ok, I will talk to her.

Dad handed the phone.

Betty said, "hello"

Her mom started to cry and said, "Hi baby"...Betty found that she could not talk to her with those tears. Betty asked her dad if she could go to visit her in fall.

Autumn came soon. Betty and her Dad reached  her house where Betty met her mom. She was standing at the gate for them and the moment she saw Betty, she came running and held her in her arms, crying sullenly with lots of kisses and cuddles. Betty got her real mom today and all the love which she found with the realities of time and season. Betty was not leaving her mom for a second. She wanted to live each moment of this adorable season .She took a long sleeve sweater out of storage and washed Betty's winter comforters. She knew that Betty loved the smell of burning leaves, the view of vibrant colors, the rustling of dry leaves. Betty found the wind dancing with the trees along with her happiness.

Betty was sad somewhere and was waiting for some magic .Tomorrow morning they have to leave. She wanted her mom to sleep with her today and soon she felt her mom's hands stroking her hair.

Her mom smiled and touched Betty's hand and asked," Are you coming to live with me"?

Betty was on the top of this world .She wrapped herself in her lap thinking that mothers are so unique and special. She should have not taken her for granted. She is much more than that. Betty was whispering inside that Dear Mom, though you didn't give birth to me, you love me just the same. We may not share the same blood but, we share our hearts and name.

"This Story is dedicated to all the step moms of this world. Inspired by my friend's life who is a step mom.She thinks that step parents can't ever win. Apart giving so much to her step children, still they has been criticized for being too involved, invasive and sticking noses where they are not welcomed. If they distance themselves, they are criticized for being harsh"