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Jane Spring had always prided herself on maintaining a tidy home. Charlie often thought she used cleaning as an excuse to be nosy, but she would always shrug it off and say, “I’m your mum; it’s my job to keep an eye on you.”
That’s how she found the shoebox.
Charlie had hidden it behind his old schoolbooks on the shelf, thinking it was a safe spot. But Jane, dusting the shelves one by one, had noticed it slightly out of place. Curiosity—or maternal instinct—got the better of her. She opened the box and froze when she saw the contents: a half-used bottle of lube and a strip of condoms.
She sat staring at the box for a while before finally closing it, her thoughts racing. She wasn’t angry, not really. She was more shocked and concerned. By the time Charlie returned from Nick’s, she was waiting for him at the kitchen table, her face an unreadable mask.
“Hi, Mum,” he said, slipping off his shoes. He paused when he noticed her sitting there. “What’s up?”
“Charlie, come here, please,” she said evenly, gesturing to the chair across from her.
He froze when he saw the shoebox on the table. His heart dropped into his stomach, and his face flushed.
“Mum, I can explain—”
“I hope you can,” she interrupted, her tone sharp. “Sit.”
Charlie sat down slowly, feeling like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He avoided her eyes, staring instead at the box.
“Do you want to tell me how long this has been going on?” Jane asked, her voice tight.
Charlie shifted uncomfortably. “A few months,” he mumbled.
“A few months?” she repeated, her eyebrows shooting up. “You’re 16, Charlie. What on earth possessed you to think you’re ready for… for this?” She gestured vaguely at the box.
Charlie’s face turned scarlet. “Mum, can we not—”
“We are talking about this,” she said firmly. “I don’t care how uncomfortable it is. This is serious.”
“I know it’s serious!” Charlie shot back, finally looking up. “That’s why I’ve been careful. Nick and I… we’re not just messing around. We love each other.”
Jane sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Charlie, I don’t doubt that you and Nick care about each other. But love or not, you’re young. Too young to be making these kinds of decisions.”
Charlie crossed his arms. “We didn’t just decide, Mum. We talked about it. A lot. And we were both ready.”
Jane stared at him, searching his face. “Ready,” she repeated. “What does that even mean? You’re still figuring out who you are, Charlie. How can you possibly know if you’re ready for something like this?”
“I just do,” Charlie said stubbornly. “And it’s not like we’re being reckless. That’s why I have…” He gestured awkwardly at the box. “We’re being responsible.”
Jane sighed deeply, leaning back in her chair. “Does Nick’s mum know about this?”
Charlie hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. She does.”
Jane blinked, clearly caught off guard. “She knows? And she’s… okay with this?”
Charlie nodded again, his voice quieter now. “She’s the one who bought Nick the lube and condoms.”
That rendered Jane momentarily speechless. “She bought them for him?”
“Yes,” Charlie said, bracing himself. “She said it’s better to be safe than to pretend it’s not happening.”
Jane rubbed her temples, muttering something under her breath. “That woman… I swear…”
“She’s not a bad mum, you know,” Charlie said defensively. “She’s just… realistic. And she trusts Nick.”
“It’s not about her being a bad mum, Charlie,” Jane said with a sigh. “It’s just… it’s hard for me to wrap my head around. I mean, I always thought I’d have more time before we had to have this conversation.”
Charlie’s expression softened. “Mum, I get it. And I’m sorry if this freaked you out. But Nick and I aren’t stupid. We care about each other, and we’re careful. I promise.”
Jane looked at him, her eyes glistening slightly. “I know you’re not stupid. And I know Nick is a good boy. I just… I worry. You’ve been through so much, Charlie. With the bullying, the eating disorder… I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”
Charlie swallowed hard, guilt twisting in his stomach. “I know. And I appreciate that you care. But you don’t have to worry about me like that anymore. I’m stronger now. And Nick… he makes me happy. He makes me feel safe.”
Jane smiled faintly, though tears threatened to spill from her eyes. “You really love him, don’t you?”
Charlie nodded. “I do.”
Jane reached across the table, taking his hand in hers. “Okay,” she said softly. “I’m still going to worry. That’s my job. But if this is where you are in your life, then I trust you to be smart about it. And if you ever need to talk, about anything, you come to me. No matter how awkward it is. Got it?”
Charlie squeezed her hand, his eyes shining. “Got it.”
She smiled, brushing a strand of hair from his face. “I love you, Charlie.”
“Love you too, Mum,” he said, a small smile tugging at his lips.
As Jane stood to make tea, Charlie sat back in his chair, his heart lighter. The conversation had been awkward—mortifying, even—but it ended with something Charlie had always known deep down: his mum loved him, no matter what.