One Day at a Time

Is Something Wrong?

March 2024

Skylar was having a lazy day at home, doing some chores around the house while listening to her favorite music. She enjoyed the peacefulness of being alone and taking her time to do things at her own pace. She was in the middle of folding laundry when her phone rang, interrupting the calm atmosphere of the house.

Without looking at the caller ID, she answered the phone, "Hello?"

On the other end of the line, she heard a familiar voice, but it took a moment for her to realize who it was. It was her mother, whom she hadn't spoken to in over a year.

Skylar's mind was racing. So many emotions flooded her all at once - confusion, anger, sadness, and even relief. She had missed her mother terribly, but at the same time, she couldn't forget the hurt and pain that had caused their estrangement.

She could hear the hesitation in her mother's voice as she spoke. "Hi, Skylar. It's me, your mom," her mother said softly.

Skylar's throat tightened as she tried to hold back her tears. She hadn't realized how much she had missed her mother's voice until that moment.

"Mom," she whispered, barely above a whisper.

There was a long pause before her mother spoke again. "I just wanted to call and say... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for everything that's happened between us. I miss you, Skylar. I miss you so much."

Skylar felt her heart swell at her mother's words. She had never expected to hear those words from her mother, and it took her by surprise.

"I miss you too, Mom," Skylar choked out through tears. "I really do."

They talked for what seemed like hours, catching up on everything that had happened in their lives since they last spoke. Skylar's mother apologized for everything that had happened between them, and Skylar forgave her, knowing that she needed her mother in her life.

As they talked, Skylar felt a sense of peace and healing wash over her. She realized that life was too short to hold grudges and that sometimes, forgiveness and love were the only things that mattered.

After they hung up, Skylar sat there for a moment, taking in everything that had just happened. She felt grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with her mother, and she knew that their relationship had a long way to go. But for the first time in a long time, she felt hopeful that they could work things out, one day at a time.

Skylar leaned back on the sofa, sipping her tea, as she recounted the call she received from her mother earlier that day. "I was so confused," Skylar said with a puzzled look on her face. "She sounded so angry and upset with me when I told her I was moving, but on the phone today she just started asking me how I was doing and if I needed anything. I don't understand why she would act like that."

Ivory listened intently, her eyes filled with concern. "That does sound strange," she said thoughtfully. "Maybe something else is going on that your mom doesn't want to talk about?"

Skylar shook her head. "I don't know. It's just so weird. I thought she was upset with me for moving away, but now I'm not sure what to think."

Ivory reached out to give Skylar's hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'm sorry you're going through this. Maybe you should call your mom back and try to talk to her about it?"

Skylar nodded, feeling grateful for Ivory's support. She picked up her phone and dialed her mom's number, her heart pounding in her chest.

As she listened to her mom's voice on the other end of the line, Skylar realized that Ivory had been right all along. Her mom wasn't upset with her at all. In fact, she was just worried about Skylar and wanted to make sure she was doing okay in her new home.