Lisa drove cautiously toward the school, her eyes flicking to Mike in the rearview mirror. He sat quietly, gazing out the window—his silence spoke volumes about the grief and uncertainty he felt. The town felt foreign to Lisa, but she hoped this move would help them start fresh and heal after her husband’s passing.
“Have a great day, sweetie! Be brave!” she called out as Mike hopped out of the car.
By that afternoon, Mike came back, his face glowing with excitement. “Mom! I made a new friend—Sophie!”
From that moment on, Sophie was all Mike talked about. One day, Mike eagerly shared that Sophie had invited him over to her house. Lisa, happy to see her son so enthusiastic, texted Sophie’s mom. The response came back quickly, friendly and warm, even with a joking suggestion to bring wine. Lisa smiled to herself, hopeful that this might be a fresh start for both of them.
However, the visit soon turned into a shock. Sophie’s mom was none other than Alice—Lisa’s old high school bully. The tension in the room was palpable, and the years had done little to ease the animosity between them. By the time the visit ended, it was clear that the bitterness of their past still lingered.
The situation took a sudden turn when Mike’s teacher called, accusing him of bullying Sophie. Lisa was floored. Alice had apparently made the accusation, calling Lisa an irresponsible mother. Anger surged in Lisa, and she stormed out, feeling betrayed and heartbroken.
Days later, Alice unexpectedly showed up at Lisa’s door, apologetic. Sophie had missed Mike, and Alice confessed she had lied out of jealousy—just like in high school. She shared the painful story of how she had stolen the man Lisa had wanted at prom and how she had always envied Lisa’s strength and life.
Tears flowed freely, and long-buried truths were revealed. “Can you forgive me?” Alice asked, her voice trembling.
Lisa stepped aside, motioning for Alice to come in. “Let’s start with some wine,” she said, ready to leave the past behind and maybe, just maybe, build a new future.
