The Beginning

Enough is enough, Pam thought.

She had obeyed her husband's wishes for four long years.

Part of her knew he was right, at least in the beginning. She had been so afraid of anything happening to her precious new baby boy that she had willingly gone along with her husband's very strict, unwavering rule: Never leave the house. She had kept her son inside, always away from prying eyes and gossiping mouths.

They had been four long years. But never lonely. She had her amazing son to fuss over and focus on.

Her husband wasn't really interested in her anymore anyway, nor she in him. He insisted her singular obsession with their boy had ruined their love for one another. But in reality, it was his barely concealed hate of the child that had made her grow to despise the man she had once adored. Their only moments of intimacy came when he was drunk and demanding.

That had resulted in their new baby daughter, who needed attention that Pam just couldn't spare. She knew she had begun to neglect the infant, but the boy just need more love, more time, more patience.

Her husband didn't understand. He said she preferred the boy over everyone else, that she didn't even care about the little girl.

Well, so what? Pam had spat back. Her son had no one else. Certainly not his father, that was for damn sure. So she had to compensate. She had to be not only his mother, but also his father, his friend, his playmate. The truth was, she was his life, and he was hers.

The boy had witnessed this fight between his parents and reacted as he usually did, crying and screaming.

When her husband raised his hand to strike her beautiful boy for the very first time in his life, she snapped. The woman she became in that moment was strong as steel and willing to do whatever it took to defend her helpless little boy.

Her husband's eyes said it all. There was fear there that he had never possessed before. Within an hour, him and their daughter were gone. It was just her and her boy now. The way it should have always been.

To be honest, Pam was relieved. Now she didn't have to worry about the crying baby or her drunk husband demanding any of her time. She could focus solely on her son. Her beautiful boy.

But last night was the past. Today was the future. And she would hide no more.
The walk to the park was uneventful. The few people they passed stared at her child. He was beautiful, she had to admit. A special boy.

At the park, she sat on a bench, like all the other mothers, while her child ran off to play like all the other children. Soon though, there were cries. One by one, the mothers took their children left the park. Odd she thought.

He had climbed up into a swing and was trying to gain momentum. Pam got up from her bench and walked over to push her boy.

He was smiling and happy. This has gone well, she thought, oblivious to the fact that the park was now deserted, save the two of them.

Her mind raced ahead. School, she thought. She would need to sign him up for Kindergarten. She could volunteer to help the teacher, just in case he needed her during the day.

And baseball, too, that would be good for him and his energy. She could help there, too, maybe even coach. She didn't care what the other mothers thought of that.

And then in a year or two, summer camp. She could work there, as well. Anything to make sure her boy was well taken care of.

"Yes, Jason. Mommy wants you to have such a wonderful life. Just like any other little boy."

Pamela Voorhess pushed her son on the swing, and he squealed with delight.