"Someone To Look Up To"

I went to visit a wonderful new friend this past Monday. I have only known her a few months and we have visited a few times since we met. She is a single mother of three young boys, although her oldest lives with his dad. But this isn't about her but her two youngest boys. The second time we visited, it was early afternoon and school buses were delivering their load of kids to their respective homes. The driver dropped hers off about a block away and we watched as the youngest skipped most of the way and the oldest meandered his way home. We did most of our visiting on the tailgate of my Jimmy and when it was time for me to go, I said my see you laters and the oldest boy asked, "Why are you leaving?" I told him I had things I needed to get done that it was time.

The purpose of my visit yesterday was a result of an invite to come over, hang out and watch a movie, "Inkheart". When I arrived, her boys were on the loveseat playing and they moved down a hair so I could have a seat. They resumed playimg with their toys and chattering about this and that to me, mainly just kid boy stuff. I visited long enough to watch the movie and I decided it was getting late and told my friend I was headed home to rest and that I hadn't been feeling well. But what got to me was a sadness in her oldest sons countenance when I said I was leaving. As I mentioned, this isn't about her or me, but her boys. I see a need of an older companion in his eyes, his heart. I see he misses his father and I also see the confusion that is tearing at his heart strings. I understand this all too well.

My friend, the Mom, has serious health problems. Her husband left her because he said he couldn't deal with them anymore. But, I think he had someone else on the side and used that for an excuse to leave, but regardless. He has his high lifestyle in Dallas making very good money. He has his new Mustang and a pretty young thing by his side with his child growing inside of her. Now, he is challenging my friend (the Mom) with a paternity suit, claiming that neither of her two youngest boys are his. I have met him once and I truly don't think he has a third leg to stand on. They do favor. He just doesn't want to do the right thing and support his kids. Lawd have mercy on him when the results come back proving he is their father. Forgive me but I hope the judge slams his ass on the ground for his arrogance.

I know I won't be a permanent part of their lives, her boys. But I will continue to visit and hang out just because she wants me too. I am just too old or she is just too young. But she will always be my friend and vice versa. I pray she will find someone that will appreciate her in spite of her health issues. She did have a "roommate" for a short while, but he left because he couldn't hang either. She is absolutely gorgeous with the most beautiful emerald green eyes you have ever seen. She just wants someone who can get past what has plagued her for the last couple of years and it will take someone very special.

Her boys need someone they can look up to. Come to think of it, maybe that's what she needs, too!