New Beginnings Karl Hoffmeister

It's Your Choice

"I don't know how to tell him. How do you explain to a 7 year old boy that he has to choose between his biological mother and father?" Karl paced around the study.

"I know this is an impossible thing but Otto's a smart kid I'm sure he'll understand. We both know how much he loves you, there is not a doubt in my mind that he will choose to stay here with you." You assured him, wrapping your arms around him from behind to try and relax him.

"I know, but there's always a chance he chooses to leave with his mother. And I'm sorry but maybe it's wrong of me to think this but I honestly believe that this is just a phase for them. I think they both want a child because it's what's expected of them at their age and they think if they don't have a child it means they're not normal. Once they realize how difficult it is to be a parent they will throw Otto aside. They'll neglect him, or worse... Lotte didn't want to take care of him when we were married. She put the responsibility onto Elizabeth. However I didn't know about this until after she left and Elizabeth told me all the things she would do. Leaving Otto alone in the house while she went riding, made Elizabeth help him with his homework. She was never fit to be a mother, no wonder God doesn't want her and Friedrich to have a child of their own, they would have no one to take care of them." Karl vented.

"I understand. It's frustrating but Otto is happy here. He finally feels like he has a family here, I don't think he'd risk losing it over a woman who left him behind without thinking twice." You encouraged.

"I hope not but he always craved his mother's attention because Lotte never gave him any of her time. I'm worried that not he'll feel like she finally wants him and agree to leave with her." He explained.

"If he does, we'll get through it. And if Lotte or Friendrich should abandon him or do anything to that boy there will be Hell to pay for it. Everything is going to be alright."

"You believe that?"

"I do."

************************

You and Karl waited patiently for Elizabeth to bring Otto back home from school. When they got home from school that day Otto came running through the front door and crashed into Karl wrapping his little arms around his middle.

"Well hello buddy, what's gotten into you today?" Karl chuckled and wrapped one arm around Otto's shoulders and the other hand ruffled Otto's hair. Otto pulled away and started to dig in his backpack, pulling a paper out.

"I got an A on my spelling test!" He burst with excitement.

"That's amazing Otto, I'm so proud of you." Karl smiled, kissing the boy's head and ruffling his hair again. "How about papa takes this and pins it up on the bulletin board in his office?"

"Really! We can hang it in your office?" He asked in excitement.

"Of course bud, come on, let's hang this up." Karl led the way to his office where he displayed the exam on his bulletin board. "There we are. How's it look?"

"Good papa. Now I can come in and see it hanging up with all your important papers." He was bursting with excitement.

"That is one of my important papers, bud." Karl patted the boy's shoulder. "How about we go play some games then can have some pecan pie after dinner to celebrate."

"I love pecan pie!" Otto yelled.

"Alright, I'll take that as a yes." Karl chuckled, taking you and Otto back into the living room.

You all sat and played some games together. You played some card games and then had a tickle war and other things. Otto was having a ball playing games with you two and running around tackling his father. Giggles could be heard from the living room from all of you as Karl pinned Otto down and started tickling him.