"A MOTHER'S SACRIFICE"

ONE WEEK LATER

The door to Isla’s modest apartment swung open with a familiar creak, and Cherry’s voice rang out, unmistakable and full of energy.

“Where’s my handsome godson?” she called, her presence as lively as always.

Cherry had a way of brightening any room she entered, and Isla felt a small relief at the sound of her best friend’s cheerful tone.

Isla, focused on brewing the coffee for the evening, looked up from her task with a warm smile. She had been anticipating Cherry’s arrival.

 “You’re late,” Isla teased, her eyes softening as she caught sight of Cherry’s exuberant face. “Matthew’s been waiting for you all evening. He wants to show you the star he earned in school today.”

Isla’s voice carried an affectionate lilt, knowing full well how much Matthew adored his godmother.

Cherry’s eyes lit up immediately. With a quick laugh, she turned and hurried toward the hallway where Matthew was eagerly awaiting her. The six-year-old practically bounced off the walls with excitement, his little feet thumping against the floor as he dashed into Cherry’s arms.

 “Let me see, champ!” Cherry exclaimed, scooping Matthew up effortlessly, as if he weighed nothing, her joy matching his own.

Matthew beamed, his small chest puffed with pride as he proudly showed off the paper star that marked his accomplishment for the day. Cherry took the star from him with mock seriousness, pretending to be in awe.

“Wow, you’re amazing!” she said, her voice full of exaggerated excitement. She held the star up to the light, then looked at Matthew with a mischievous smile. “How about we celebrate tomorrow? Dinner’s on me,” she added, raising her eyebrows in a playful challenge.

“Really, Mama Cherry?” Matthew asked, his eyes wide with wonder and anticipation. The simplicity of his happiness was enough to melt Isla’s heart every time she saw it.

“Of course!” Cherry replied, grinning as she ruffled his hair. “But only if you go to bed now and get some rest. A champion needs his sleep!”

Matthew nodded eagerly, already thinking about tomorrow’s celebration. “Okay, Mama Cherry!” He quickly planted a kiss on her cheek, his excitement overflowing, before he dashed off to his room, his small feet pattering down the hallway.

Cherry turned to Isla, the playful light in her eyes fading slightly as she regarded her best friend. There was a tenderness in her gaze as she saw Isla’s quiet reflection.

“He’s growing up so fast. Soon, he’ll be a teenager,” she said, her voice gentle, the weight of time settling in both of them.

Isla chuckled softly but couldn’t hide the twinge of sadness in her heart. “I know,” she replied, her tone thoughtful. “It’s been six years, Cherry. And by God’s grace, we’re still here.”

She glanced over at Matthew’s bedroom door, her heart swelling with pride, but also with an ache. The struggles she had faced, the ones she still carried, all seemed to hit her at once. Raising Matthew alone had never been easy, but somehow, she had done it.

Cherry noticed the shift in Isla’s expression, the way her friend’s joy had dimmed into something more complicated. A small frown tugged at the corner of Cherry’s lips. She moved closer, her voice lowering with concern.

“Isla, you should ask his father for support. Matthew deserves more than this—he deserves the best,” she said, her eyes searching Isla’s face for any sign of agreement.

The words, though well-meaning, were like a slap to Isla’s heart. Her jaw clenched as the familiar pain of the past resurfaced.

“We don’t need his money,” Isla replied, her voice firm, though there was an underlying edge of defensiveness. “I can raise my son on my own.”

Cherry looked at her for a moment, her expression softening, but there was a firmness in her next words. “But he has a right to know his father,” she pressed gently. “This isn’t about you—it’s about Matthew. Don’t you think he deserves the chance to decide for himself?”

Isla’s chest tightened. The truth of Cherry’s words hit her with brutal honesty. She fell silent, unable to immediately respond. She had spent so many years convincing herself that Matthew didn’t need his father, that she could give him everything he needed on her own. But deep down, a nagging voice whispered that maybe Cherry was right. Matthew deserved to know the truth, even if it meant facing painful realities. Isla’s mind swirled with conflicting thoughts as she struggled to keep her composure.

Sensing that the conversation had grown too heavy, Cherry quickly changed the subject, her voice lifting once again.

“Oh, before I forget,” she said, putting her coffee cup down on the table with a soft thud. “We’ve got a meeting on Monday. The rumor is that Sir Randy’s selling Festive to a new owner. Let’s hope the new boss keeps us all on board.”

Isla’s heart sank at the mention of Festive. As a contractual employee, she knew just how precarious her job was. Her future there had always been uncertain, and the thought of a new owner only made it more so.

“Do you know who’s buying it?” she asked, trying to keep the anxiety from her voice.

Cherry shook her head. “No clue. But whoever it is, let’s pray they’re kind,” she said with a small, uncertain smile, though it did little to ease the weight settling in Isla’s chest.