Ellen was like millions of other mothers in the world. She lived alone with her son. This means that she had to work, provide a home, have food on the table as well as the many chores a mother has. She did not have a husband, so she had to do this alone. It was hard being a mother without a father. Her son, William was 11 years old, and had many of the traits he should have had as a teenager. He was already a very independent boy, with his own views and sometimes this could be a bit annoying for his mother. He didn't need her that much anymore. He had his friends and school. In fact every day that passed, it seemed like he drifted further and further away from his mother. Ellen missed the days when he was younger. The days when he would come running to he hurt himself or simply needed a hug. She missed when she helped cut his meat and gave him baths. She missed the days when he had a tantrum problem, and not an attitude problem. As time went by, Ellen was feeling more like William's servant and less that of his mother. She was afraid what he would be like when he was a teenager. Ellen was afraid of being lonely.
It didn't help that William was getting in trouble at school. His schoolwork was suffering, as he could not find the benefits of doing his homework. He was in a few fights at school, which made him a regular guest in the head masters office. It was so bad at one stage that Ellen was afraid when the telephone rang. It could be a fight with some boy, or it could be back-talking to a teacher or it could be his falling grades. Yes, Ellen was at her wits end. She didn't know how to raise a teenager. She wanted to help her son, but he had the attitude that she could not cope with.
Yes, she missed the old days. She thought that her job as a nurse would suffice, but her son meant the world to her. Things could not have got worse that when one day William came home on his final day of school. William was excited about the summer holidays. No school and he could do what he wanted. That evening, he ate his dinner quickly. Ellen was disappointed that he did not even say thank you for dinner. He just rushed from the table and turned on MTV. Ellen pleaded with him if he could put his dirty dishes in the dishwasher. William looked at his mother in a disgusted way, and said, "The only thing your good for is telling me what to do. I hate you." Ellen stared at him as he stormed off. She felt like she finally lost him now. It was the first time that he said that he hated her, and it cut like a knife in her heart. Ellen hid in her bedroom, and cried her heart out. She hoped that William would come in and apologize and give her a hug. This did not happen. Never in her life has she been so sad and lost. There seemed like there was no hope.
Ellen rang to her mother, and cried while telling her the latest episode of her family life. Williams's grandmother was appalled.
"I feel like I lost my son."
"That is part of growing up."
"I know. But he has no love or respect for me. He does not need me anymore"
Grandmother went silent on the telephone. This worried Ellen, who started to think that everything was her fault. Maybe she was a bad mother. Grandmother broke the silence and said that she would visit Ellen the next day. She had to do some research. Grandmother promised that she would find a solution. This cheered Ellen up. Maybe there was light at the end of the tunnel.
The next day, Grandmother came to visit Ellen. William did not even notice that she came in. He was listening to music and looking at some magazines. Ellen was embarrassed that her son did not even greet his grandmother. This did not bother his grandmother that told Ellen that they have to speak in private.
"I have found an answer," Grandmother started, "You have to listen to what I say carefully. I have been looking at the Internet all last night and have found a solution to your problem. You will have to think about if it's something that you want to do. If you decide to do it, then you have to be determined to carry it out. I will help you along the way"
