Diane’s mother left her in the care of her aunt and uncle while she jetted off across Europe, meeting different men and chasing adventure. For years, Diane waited, hoping her mom would come back—until a painful truth became clear when they finally reunited.
“Can I come with you, Mom?” eight-year-old Diane asked as her mother, Erika, zipped up her suitcase.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. This is a work trip—you can’t come this time. But when I’m back, we’ll go to Disneyland together,” Erika promised.
“But where will I stay?” Diane asked, confused.
“You’ll stay with Aunt Karina and Uncle Roger. They love you so much. You’ll have a great time,” Erika said before driving Diane to their house and kissing her goodbye.
“You’re going to have so much fun here, you won’t even want to leave,” Uncle Roger said cheerfully.
And Diane did enjoy herself—but as days stretched into weeks, and weeks into months, her mother’s calls became infrequent. She always promised to return “soon” and bring gifts, but she never did.
Eventually, a call came that shifted everything.
“I met someone here in Italy, Diane,” Erika said one day. “We’re getting married. I’m staying.”
“Oh… so I’ll come live with you in Milan, right?” Diane asked hopefully.
“Not now, honey. You need to finish school. Maybe college? That way you can come for a visit and we’ll explore Europe together,” her mother replied.
Diane agreed, though her heart sank. As more time passed, she began to understand: her mother didn’t want her there. Eventually, Diane stopped answering her calls altogether. She told Aunt Karina she was done trying. Her aunt and uncle had raised her with love and stability—they were her real family.
But during her senior year of high school, Aunt Karina knocked gently on her door, phone in hand.
“Sweetheart… it’s your mom. She really wants to talk to you,” she said softly.
Reluctantly, Diane answered. “Hello?”
“Baby!” Erika’s voice rang with forced excitement. “It’s been so long. You have to come to Milan! Your stepfather’s dying to meet you. We’ll tour colleges, and trust me—Italian boys? You’ll love them. So charming!”
Her aunt and uncle encouraged her to go. “Maybe this will bring some closure. And it’s Europe—you deserve to see the world,” Karina said.
So Diane packed her suitcase—still unsure whether she was traveling to reconnect… or to finally let go.