Her momma wanna be with Anthony too

 In the small town of Willow Creek, life moved at a leisurely pace, where everyone knew each other’s business and secrets fluttered like whispers on a breeze. For fifteen-year-old Mia, summer meant adventures with her friends, late nights under the stars, and the familiar warmth of her momma’s love. But this summer felt different, and it all revolved around Anthony. 

Mia had known Anthony forever—he was her neighbor, just a couple of  houses down. They had grown up playing in the same treehouse, riding bikes through the streets, and sharing secrets under the old oak tree in their backyard. Recently, however, things had shifted. Mia had started to notice Anthony in a new light: the way his dark curls bounced when he laughed, the way his eyes sparkled with mischief. She could hardly believe it; she had a crush on her best friend.

But Mia wasn’t the only one who had taken notice of Anthony. To her dismay, she discovered that her momma had developed a fascination for him too. At first, it seemed harmless—a few innocent comments about his talent for playing guitar, or how his smile could light up a room. But as the days went on, Mia began to sense an excitement in her momma’s voice whenever Anthony came over to hang out.   

One evening, Anthony came to return a book Mia had borrowed—a tattered old copy of “The Great Gatsby.” They were sitting on the front porch, sharing slices of watermelon and laughing about an inside joke, when Mia noticed her momma watching them from the kitchen window, a wistful smile on her face. In that moment, Mia felt a familiar twist of jealousy knotting in her stomach.

“Hey, you want to jam a little?” Anthony suggested, eyeing the guitar resting against the porch railing.

“Sure! That’d be fun,” Mia replied, trying to push thoughts of her momma aside.

As Anthony strummed the strings, Mia found herself enraptured not just by his music, but by every glance he directed her way. They sang songs together, their voices blending seamlessly, but every now and then, Mia caught her momma peeking out from behind the curtain, her expression one of longing.   

Later that night, after Anthony had left, Mia confronted her momma in the cozy, dim light of their living room.

“Mom, what’s going on between you and Anthony?” Mia asked cautiously, trying to keep her tone from sounding accusatory.

Her momma sighed, her gaze softening. “Oh, honey, it’s nothing like that. I think he’s a great kid. He’s respectful, kind, and talented. I just—”

“Like him?” Mia interrupted, her heart racing. 

Her momma laughed lightly, brushing hay-colored strands away from her face. “Not like that! I mean, I admire him. He reminds me a lot of your father when we first met.”

Mia’s breath caught in her throat. Her dad had passed away years ago, leaving an empty space in their lives. Mia had always thought of Anthony as a brother, someone to share memories with, not as a potential romantic interest for her momma.

“But it feels weird, Mom. I don’t want to lose you to him, or… have to share him.”

Her momma placed a gentle hand on Mia’s shoulder. “Sweetheart, you could never lose me. I’m always here, no matter what. And not every friendship has to be romantic. Let’s enjoy our time with him together, okay?”   

Mia nodded, though uncertainty lingered in her heart. The next day, they planned a picnic at the park, asking Anthony to join them. The sun shone brightly as they spread out a checkered blanket and dug into sandwiches and homemade cookies.

As they laughed and shared stories, Mia watched her momma interact with Anthony. There was something beautiful in how effortlessly they clicked, and the way her momma’s laughter rang out, filling the park with joy. But alongside that beauty was a pang of insecurity; what if the bond between her mom and Anthony blossomed into something more?

Days turned into weeks, and Mia learned to navigate her complicated feelings. One afternoon, while sitting under the oak tree, Mia made a decision. She wouldn’t let fear drive a wedge between her and the people she loved. Instead, she would celebrate the happiness Anthony brought to both her and her momma.

As summer slowly crept towards autumn, Mia, her momma, and Anthony became inseparable. They built a new kind of family, one where love was shared and laughter echoed. The boundaries of their relationships blurred, turning into a tapestry of moments that only strengthened their bond.

In the heart of Willow Creek, Mia learned that love comes in many forms. It wasn’t all about romance; it was about being there for one another, celebrating each other’s achievements, and nurturing the connections that mattered. As she watched her momma and Anthony share a laugh, Mia felt warmth swell in her chest. Maybe having Anthony around wouldn’t mean losing her momma after all; they could create their own version of family—full of love, laughter, and the endless promise of new beginnings.