He Made My Mom Shovel Snow on a Broken Leg—So I Made Sure Everyone Saw the Truth

I used to think moving away for college would finally give my mom some breathing room. New city, new routine, fewer people leaning on her. From a distance, I told myself she’d be okay—because she always had been.

My mom, Paula, is the kind of person who gives until there’s nothing left. She spent years juggling a demanding job as a hospital administrator while still making sure everyone else’s needs came first. She remembered birthdays, handled complaints, worked long hours, and somehow still came home to keep the house running like a machine.

So when she told me she’d started dating a coworker, I felt something close to relief. Maybe, finally, someone would take care of her for a change.

When My Mom Remarried, I Wanted to Believe It Was a Fresh Start

I met Dennis briefly during my senior year. He wasn’t exactly warm, but he wasn’t openly hostile either. He talked loudly, made everything about himself, and smiled like he was performing “good guy” for an audience. Still, he held doors, complimented my mom, and shook my hand with the kind of grip that felt like a sales pitch.