The simple reception finally came to an end. Guests began saying their goodbyes, the wedding stage was being taken apart, and the clatter of dirty dishes drifted from the church kitchen. Nathan, exhausted after running around all day, was led by Grandma toward the car.
Grandpa was already slouched in the front seat, looking worn out. One by one, the other family cars pulled away from the church grounds.
As Nathan climbed into the back seat, he glanced around. "Where's Papa, Oma?" he asked, puzzled that his father wasn't with them.
Oma fastened his seat belt before answering, "Papa and Mama Kristin went out for a bit."
Nathan's head whipped around. "Mama Kristin?" he repeated softly, as if he couldn't quite believe what he had just heard.
Inside, he grumbled fiercely: "Mama Kristin?! Since when? They just got married a few minutes ago. Her name is Miss Kristin! MISS!"
He gave a little huff and turned his gaze toward the window. The late afternoon sky was fading into dusk, but inside his chest, a quiet drizzle had begun, one he couldn't wipe away.
---
For a whole week, the house felt empty. No sound of Papa. No warm laughter from Miss Kristin at school. Even Grandma and Grandpa spoke little, as if giving Nathan space to adjust.
Then one evening, the rumble of a car came from beyond the gate. Nathan, who had been working on a puzzle in the living room, instantly turned his head. His heart began to pound strangely. Heavy footsteps drew closer. And sure enough, Papa appeared, holding Miss Kristin's hand. She was now wearing a simple house dress, her face glowing as if she truly belonged to the family.
"Oh, I forgot," Nathan thought. "They're married now. Of course Miss Kristin would come home here… and sleep in Papa's room. On Mama's bed."
All at once, something lodged in his chest. His hands went limp, the puzzle piece slipped from his fingers and clattered to the floor. His eyes blurred. Slowly, he backed into the corner of the room. Then, without warning, his sobs broke out.
Crying he didn't fully understand, but it was real. Crying of loss. Crying of jealousy. Crying of a little boy who felt his world had been quietly stolen away.
Little Nathan wept with all his might, shaking the house that had just welcomed a "new mother."
Miss Kristin was instantly startled to see Nathan crying so hard. She glanced at Papa, as if asking, "Why him?"
Papa hurried over to Nathan and crouched in front of him.
"Nathan, what's wrong, sweetie? Are you hurt?"
Nathan shook his head violently, tears streaming down his face. He buried his face in his tiny hands.
Papa tried to reach for his shoulder, but Nathan gently pushed him away. "Don't touch me!" he cried, though only sobs and muffled hiccups came out.
Miss Kristin stepped closer. "Nathan… sweetheart… it's Mama Kristin…" she said softly, half hesitant.
Hearing that, Nathan looked up quickly. His eyes were red. "Mama… my beautiful Mama is gone… why are you all happy?!" His voice echoed, though he was still too small to fully express it in words.
All that came out was a pure, heartbreaking wail: "Maaamaa!!"
Oma rushed in from the kitchen, shocked by the commotion. She immediately wrapped Nathan in her arms, pulling him onto her lap. "It's okay, sweetheart… it's okay…"
Papa stood still. He realized this was not just childish jealousy. This was pain. Pain that hadn't healed.
Miss Kristin froze, her eyes glistening, but she didn't dare get closer. For the first time since the wedding day, she understood: being a "new Mama" was not as simple as slipping into a family photo album. Especially when there was still an empty space waiting to heal, for a mother who was gone.
---
And from that moment on, Nathan's act began.
Every morning, when Miss Kristin took him to school, Nathan looked like the sweetest child in the world. He held her hand tightly, sometimes even hugging her in front of teachers and classmates. "Bye-bye, Mama Kristin," he said cheerfully, waving. Miss Kristin smiled, feeling happy, and perhaps a little relieved, that things were starting to improve.
But as soon as they returned home, everything changed.
Nathan avoided her. He refused to sit near Miss Kristin. If she approached, he pretended to be busy, feigned a yawn, or even ran to his room and locked the door.
One afternoon, Miss Kristin tried to feed Nathan. After just one bite, he stood up and said softly, "I'll wait for Papa to come home."
He never got angry. Never threw a tantrum. Yet his coldness was far more painful than tears.
To the world, he was a sweet, loving child. But at home, he was a little boy whose heart had not finished grieving. And now, he was playing a role, excellently.
—
Until finally, Miss Kristin began vomiting every morning. Even the slightest smell of food made her feel nauseous. Her face looked paler by the day, and even at school, she seemed weak. The playgroup kids weren't very perceptive yet, but Nathan noticed everything, from his little chair in the front row.
In his small heart, Nathan thought, "Papa's amazing… just married for a short time and already expecting."
But the amusement didn't last long.
A strange worry lingered. He remembered when Miss Kristin had to miss school because she was sick. He remembered her father getting furious, and Opa bowing his head in embarrassment in front of her family.
What if it happens again? Nathan thought. What if something happens to Miss Kristin? What if the baby can't make it?
He was still little, didn't fully understand what had happened back then.
That afternoon, Nathan sat quietly in the living room, hugging his small bolster pillow. Beneath his cold demeanor toward Miss Kristin, there was secretly a spark of sympathy. But he didn't yet know how to express it, let alone admit that he was beginning to care.
---