Lisa’s son, Mike, couldn’t stop talking about his new friend, Sophie. Every single day, it was “Sophie this,” “Sophie that,” like a broken record. At first, Lisa just smiled and listened, happy that Mike was finally making a friend after everything they had been through. But after a while, curiosity got the better of her. She thought maybe it was a good chance to connect with another parent too. So finally, she agreed to meet Sophie’s mom.
Lisa had no idea that opening that door would turn her whole world upside down.
That afternoon, Lisa drove slowly toward Mike’s school. Her hands gripped the steering wheel a little too tightly. She kept glancing in the rearview mirror at Mike sitting in the back seat, his face pressed against the window. He wasn’t talking much, just staring out at the unfamiliar streets of their new town.
Everything still felt strange here. Lisa missed their old home, the neighbors, the familiar grocery store. But mostly, she missed her husband. Since he had passed away, everything had been hard—especially for Mike.
She wondered, Is this place really going to help us heal? Will Mike find happiness here?
As they pulled up in front of the school, Lisa forced a big, cheerful smile. “Have a good day, sweetie!” she called. “Be brave! I’m proud of you!”
Mike just gave a small wave before walking toward the entrance, his backpack bouncing behind him.
That afternoon, when Lisa returned to pick him up, everything changed.
Mike came running out of the building, his face lit up like it was Christmas morning. He practically jumped into the car.
“Mom! MOM! Guess what?” he shouted, still catching his breath.
“What is it, buddy?” Lisa asked, laughing at how excited he was.
“I made a friend! Her name is Sophie! She’s so cool!” he said, bouncing up and down in his seat.
Lisa let out a breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding. Maybe… just maybe… this move will be good for us after all, she thought, smiling at her son’s happiness.
From that day on, it was Sophie this and Sophie that. Mike talked about her nonstop—what games they played, what jokes she told, what snacks her mom packed. Lisa listened to every word, soaking it all in.
One afternoon, when Lisa picked Mike up again, he came running over, practically glowing.
“Hey, buddy! You look extra happy today,” Lisa said as they walked to the car.
“Yeah! It was AWESOME!” Mike said, practically skipping alongside her.
Lisa laughed. “Really? Tell me, what made it so awesome?”
Mike grinned. “Sophie invited me to her house tomorrow!” he shouted.
“Oh wow! That’s exciting!” Lisa said, unlocking the car. “Did she say what time?”
Mike nodded eagerly. “She said after school. And her mom said it’s okay!”
Lisa paused, glancing at him. “Well, I should still talk to her mom first to make sure everything’s set, okay?”
Mike fished through his messy backpack and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. “Here! Sophie gave me her mom’s number!”
Lisa took the paper, smiling. “Good job, buddy. I’ll text her tonight.”
Later that evening, once Mike was busy with his Legos, Lisa pulled out her phone and the crumpled note. She typed a quick message:
“Hi, I’m Lisa, Mike’s mom. He told me Sophie invited him over tomorrow. Just wanted to check if that’s okay with you.”
A few minutes later, her phone buzzed with a reply:
“Hi Lisa! Yes, Sophie already told me! We’d love to have Mike over.”
Lisa felt relieved. She quickly texted back:
“That’s great! Is there anything I should bring with Mike?”
The answer made her chuckle:
“Maybe some wine, so we moms aren’t too bored! 😂”
Lisa laughed out loud. Looks like Sophie’s mom has a sense of humor, she thought. She typed back, “Sounds good! See you tomorrow!” and tucked her phone away, feeling a flicker of hope.
Maybe this could be a new beginning, Lisa thought. Maybe I’ll finally have someone to talk to who gets it.
Mike had mentioned Sophie lived alone with her mom, just like them. Maybe they could be… friends?
The next day, Lisa and Mike walked up the path to Sophie’s house. Lisa balanced a bottle of wine in one hand and gave Mike an encouraging smile.
Mike knocked eagerly, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
The door swung open, and there stood Sophie, her face lighting up.
“Mike!” she squealed, grabbing his hand.
“Sophie!” Mike shouted back, laughing.
The two kids ran off inside, giggling and already deep into their own little world.
Lisa stood at the door, waiting for Sophie’s mom. She smoothed down her shirt, her nerves jangling a little.
When the door opened wider, Lisa’s heart slammed against her ribs. She froze.
It was her.
Standing there, arms crossed, wearing a tight, fake smile, was Alice—the nightmare from Lisa’s high school days.
Alice’s eyes narrowed. “Lisa,” she said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.
Lisa stiffened. “Alice,” she replied, her voice cold.
Alice let out a fake laugh and looked her up and down. “Wow. You haven’t changed. Still the plain little mouse, huh?”
Lisa’s face hardened. “And you’re still wearing skirts so short, it’s a miracle you’re not arrested,” she shot back.
The tension was so thick it could be sliced with a knife.
Alice stepped aside, holding the door open just wide enough for Lisa to slip through. Lisa clutched the bottle of wine tighter as she stepped inside.
The kids’ laughter filled the house, but between Lisa and Alice, the air was icy.
They sat at the kitchen table, pouring wine into glasses, pretending to be civil. But Lisa’s mind was racing.
How could it be Alice? After all these years?
Memories from high school came rushing back—Alice making fun of her clothes, spreading cruel rumors, stealing her homework. And worst of all, prom night.
Lisa remembered standing alone in her dress while Alice danced with Scott—Lisa’s date—laughing under the spotlight while wearing the prom queen crown.
She hadn’t thought about that night in years, but now it all came flooding back. Sitting across from Alice, Lisa realized something:
Some wounds never really heal.
The night ended awkwardly. Lisa said goodbye to Sophie and Mike, giving Alice the coldest smile she could muster.
Mike and Sophie stayed close friends, but Lisa avoided Alice like the plague. She didn’t want to open those old wounds.
That was, until a few weeks later when Lisa got a call from Mike’s teacher, Miss Terry.
“Can you come into the school today?” Miss Terry asked. “It’s important.”
Lisa’s stomach twisted into knots. What now? she wondered.
When she arrived at the school office, her heart sank. Sitting there, looking smug, was Alice.
Lisa walked in, tense. “What’s going on?” she asked, her voice tight.
Miss Terry motioned to a chair. “Please, sit down, Lisa.”
Lisa sat, glancing warily between Miss Terry and Alice.
Miss Terry cleared her throat. “There’s been a serious concern raised. Mike has been bullying Sophie.”
Lisa blinked. “What? No! That’s impossible! They’re best friends!”
Alice let out a loud, dramatic sigh. “Sophie told me herself, Lisa. I tried to handle it privately, but since nothing changed, I had to involve the school.”
Lisa clenched her fists. “Why am I hearing about this just now?”
Alice leaned forward, her voice full of fake sympathy. “Maybe you’re just too busy to notice what your son is turning into.”
Lisa’s face burned with anger. “How dare you! Say whatever you want about me, but leave my son out of it!” she snapped.
Miss Terry raised her hands. “Ladies, please. Lisa, we understand this has been a hard time for you after your husband’s passing. Maybe it would help to get some extra support?”
Lisa’s voice trembled, but she sat up straighter. “Mike has support. He’s seeing a specialist. We’re managing.”
Miss Terry nodded, but added, “Still, if the behavior doesn’t stop, we may have no choice but to expel Mike.”
Lisa felt like the ground was falling out from under her.
“This isn’t real,” she said. “There’s no proof. Did anyone see Mike bullying Sophie?”
Miss Terry hesitated. “Well, no… but Sophie said—”
Alice cut in with a smirk, “Maybe you need a specialist too, Lisa. You clearly can’t see the truth.”
That was it. Lisa stood up so fast her chair scraped loudly against the floor.
“You know what? Go to hell!” she shouted, tears stinging her eyes as she stormed out of the office.
That night, Lisa drove home, tears blurring her vision. Her heart broke for Mike. How could Alice still be the same cruel person she was back then? she thought bitterly.
We’re grown women now, Lisa thought. We’re mothers. Why is she still acting like we’re teenagers?
Days passed. Lisa tried to stay strong for Mike, but inside, she was crumbling.
Then, one evening, there was a knock at the door.
Lisa opened it, and there stood Alice. But this time, her eyes weren’t cold. She looked… ashamed.
Lisa crossed her arms. “Here to insult me again?” she said sharply.
Alice shook her head. “No,” she said, voice low. “I came to apologize.”
Lisa blinked, stunned.
Alice swallowed hard. “Sophie’s been crying every day. She misses Mike. She begged me to fix it.”
“So you’re admitting you lied?” Lisa asked, her voice shaking between anger and shock.
Alice nodded. “Yes. I’m telling Miss Terry the truth tomorrow.”
“But… why lie at all?” Lisa asked.
Alice took a deep breath. “Same reason I was awful to you in high school. I was jealous.”
Lisa stared at her, speechless.
Alice looked down, ashamed. “You had everything I wanted. A family who loved you. A husband who cared for you.” She hesitated. “Remember Scott? The guy I stole from you at prom?”
Lisa nodded stiffly.
“I married him,” Alice said bitterly. “Biggest mistake of my life. He was a terrible husband. A terrible father. Two years ago, Sophie and I ran away.”
Lisa raised an eyebrow. “So… I should thank you for stealing him?” she said with a half-smirk.
Alice gave a sad laugh. “Yeah… maybe you should.”
There was a heavy silence. Then Alice added, her voice almost breaking, “I was wrong. About everything. Can you ever forgive me?”
Lisa looked at her for a long moment. Then she stepped back, holding the door wider open.
“Come inside,” she said. “Let’s start with that wine.”
Alice smiled a little, blinking back tears. She stepped inside, and before Lisa could say another word, Alice pulled her into a hug.
At first Lisa froze—but then, slowly, she hugged her back.
And for the first time in years, Lisa felt a little bit of her anger melt away.
Maybe—just maybe—this was a true new beginning after all.
