Forever Almost

Chapter 38

At Donna's house, the atmosphere was warm, but a quiet tension lingered between Travis and his mother. Everyone else settled in, leaving Travis and Donna some space to finally have the conversation they'd both been avoiding for years.

Travis sat on the couch, his hands clasped together tightly, while Donna sat across from him, wringing her hands nervously. Taylor stayed nearby, watching them, knowing how hard this moment would be for both of them.

After a long silence, Travis finally spoke, his voice low. "Why did you leave me, Mom?"

Donna's breath hitched. Tears welled in her eyes as she reached across the table, grabbing his hands. "Travis... I didn't abandon you. I never wanted to leave you."

Travis looked at her, confusion and pain swirling in his eyes. "But you did," he said, his voice cracking. "You left me with him. With Dad. Why? Why didn't you take me with you?"

Donna shook her head, her tears falling freely now. "It wasn't that simple," she whispered. "Your father... Ed, he... he wasn't just controlling, Travis. He was dangerous. He tried to kill me and Jason."

Travis's eyes widened in shock. "What? Why would he—?"

Donna took a deep, shaky breath, trying to steady herself. "Jason's not his son, Travis. He found out that Jason was from a previous relationship. He couldn't stand the thought of raising another man's child. He went mad... he became violent. One night, he tried to kill us both."

Travis's heart pounded in his chest. "But why didn't he hurt me? Why would he leave me with him?"

"Because you're his son," Donna explained, her voice full of sorrow. "He loved you in his own twisted way. I knew he wouldn't hurt you. But Jason... I couldn't take the risk. I had to leave with Jason to keep him safe. And I thought... I thought he'd protect you because you were his son."

Tears filled Travis's eyes now. He swallowed hard, trying to process everything. "You thought I was safe with him? Mom, he wasn't a father to me. He was cold, distant. He never cared about me."

"I know, baby, I know," Donna sobbed, her grip tightening on his hands. "I made the wrong choice. I should've fought harder for you. I should've found a way to take you both. But I was scared, Travis. I didn't want to lose Jason, and I didn't know how to get you out."

Travis was silent for a long moment, his chest heaving with emotion. Taylor, who had been standing quietly in the doorway, walked over and gently placed her hand on Travis's shoulder, her eyes full of love and understanding. She gave him a soft nod, silently encouraging him to forgive his mother.

Donna was still crying, her body trembling as she clung to his hands. "I'm so sorry, Travis," she whispered. "I've thought about you every single day. I wanted to come back for you so many times, but I couldn't risk Jason's life. I failed you, and I'll never forgive myself for that. But I'm here now, and I want to fix things with you. Please, Travis. Let me make it right."

Travis's heart ached as he looked at his mother. The pain of his childhood, the abandonment he'd felt for years, it all rose to the surface. But seeing the raw emotion in her eyes, the regret, the love she still had for him... it softened something in him.

Without a word, he reached forward and pulled her into a tight hug. Donna let out a sob, wrapping her arms around him as she cried into his shoulder. "I understand now, Mom," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't like what happened, but I understand. And I forgive you."

They held each other for a long time, both of them crying, releasing years of pent-up pain and regret. Taylor stood nearby, tears glistening in her own eyes as she watched the healing moment between them.

After a while, Travis pulled back and wiped at his eyes, his hand resting on Donna's shoulder. "Thank you for telling me the truth," he said quietly.

Donna smiled through her tears, her heart feeling lighter than it had in years. "I love you, Travis," she whispered, cupping his face gently. "I always have, and I always will."

"I love you too, Mom," Travis replied softly, giving her one last hug.