Mama's boy

"You're leaving again!" Grace said to Ken.

"You know my mother needs me." Ken retorted. This was the second time in a month that Ken had left Grace after setting weekend plans.

"But I need you too." Grace complained.

"Don't be like that Grace, you know my mother is getting older and she has some health issues."

"But we all have health issues Ken. And your mother is not alone, she has your father to help her."

"It will only be for 4 days Grace. I'll be back before you know it. Just consider it as some nice relaxing alone time."

It seems to be a recurring theme in Grace and Ken's relationship. He was always off to his mother's leaving Grace alone. Grace wouldn't mind his frequent visits if Ken's parents lived in the same town but his parents live 4 hours away, taking him away from time that Grace and Ken needed to grow their relationship.

After Ken left, Grace called her support team in place yet again. She sent a quick SOS message to Bridget and Joan.

"You're too good for him, Grace. You need to leave him." Bridget said in her nonchalant way.

"It's not that easy, Bridget." Joan responded. "She can't help who she likes. Maybe she's okay with him going to his mother's every other weekend?"

"Whatever happened to Blake, how come things didn't work out with you and Blake?" Bridget pressed.

"Don't you remember? Blake was the one with the temper tantrums. He would go into all sorts of rages, pick fights with everyone, and then blame it on everyone else. He was a bit of a hot head. And a little too extreme for me." Grace clarified.

"Well, what about Ryan, whatever happened to Ryan? We liked Ryan." Bridget pried giving the side eye look to Joan.

"Yes, I remember you liked Ryan, and Ryan liked you too. He also like Jessica, and Zoe, and Christine and every other female he met just a little too much. I don't want to be with someone that I have to worry about who else he's interested in."

"It feels like I'm only getting half of a partner when Ken leaves to go to his mother. It seems like he always picks his mother over me. I don't want it to ever come down to him having to choose between his mother and me. Because I know what the answer will be. He'll choose his mother. I want somebody who wants to be with me."

"Ken thinks his mother needs him more than I do and can't see things through my perspective. I can't seem to get through to him."

Joan piped in, "I did warn you about a mama's boy. I've been there. I've dated one. Its no fun playing second fiddle to someone else when you're trying to be a priority in their life just the way you make them a priority in yours. The choice is yours Grace. You need to make up your mind to either fully get in the relationship or get out."

Grace protested, "But this is the best relationship I've ever been in. I seem to attract all the losers. It's like I have a giant beacon shining on me saying, pick this one, she'll put up with your garbage." Grace sighed.

Grace knew she did not advocate for herself. She did not want to continue to have the same repetitive disagreements with Ken. She felt stressed every time he left her. But at the same time, if she broke up with Ken would she ever find love again? It had taken her so long to find a nice one like Ken.

When she first met him she thought she had won the lottery! He was such a kind gentle man. He seemed stable in all the right ways. She loved what he provided in her life. But this issue was becoming too much, and it was driving her away. It was the cause of his previous relationship breakups. So clearly, there was an issue here. But by hiding her head in the sand and carrying on as usual, it would not resolve the issue. She would have to do something to take corrective action. She loves Ken so much and didn't want to break up with him, but she also has to learn to love herself. She knew what she had to do, as difficult as it was, she had made her mind up.

Her friend's moral support had lifted her mood. She knew they'd be there no matter what she decided.

She took solace in her friends wisdom. Each one had been through their own share of difficulties in relationships. As they navigated the relationship scene together, it was better to go as a team. She appreciated all their advice and support.

The three of them quickly hugged each other and parted ways.

The night had grown long and dark and Grace's mood had also dimmed with the night. She went home to her house, alone once again.

She had hoped for a lifelong partner. She had struggled and struggled to find love. And still she was all alone. She felt down and dejected. She pulled the quilt over her head and waited for sleep to come.

She carried on as usual till D-Day appeared when Ken showed up at her door, being happy and cheery from his visit with his mother.

Ken show up at her door with her favorite sweets. He knew his way to her heart having been together for well over a year. And she loved that he paid attention to the little things. She loved that he knew her favorite perfume, sweets and color. But still, she had to believe there was somebody out there that would put her first.

Each day Ken was with his mother, Grace grew in her resolve and realized that she did not need him. She needed to put herself first in the situation.

She approach the awkward subject as people approach a train wreck, with curiosity and terror. "Ken we need to talk." She said to him. "I've been waiting patiently for you to choose me first. To love me more than your mother. But there's no room in your heart for me. Your mother fills your whole heart. I will not wait to see if there is a sliver of room for me in your heart. I need to be with somebody that chooses me fully and completely."

Ken protested, "But I do love you, Grace. I was thinking of you the whole time. I even bought you these chocolates just like you like."

"Buying me things does not show me love. What I needed from you is what I kept asking for. I kept asking for your time. Spend time with me Ken and show me that I am the most important person in your life. I want a relationship with somebody that loves me. I want them to be my priority and I want to be their priority. But that will never happen with us Ken. So as hard as it is to say, its for the best that we part ways."

Ken's look on his face showed shock and hurt. She felt her heart melt as she watched his reaction. "Is there someone else?" Ken ask.

She stated "Yes there is. Me."