Larry, I don’t want to upset or harm you, darling… But I’m just not being kind to you!

Laurence used to spend hours perched on the windowsill, gazing out onto the quiet street. He was waiting for his father to return. It had been two long years since his mother had lefttheyd heard shed made a new life somewhere else with a different family, his father had once confided sadly. Laurence couldnt quite understand why shed gone; the reasons never made much sense to him. Over time, her memory began to slip away.

His father did his utmost to care for him. Laurence was already tenpractically grown up by their reckoning. There were no secrets kept from him. He learned to wash up after supper, to arrange his belongings neatly. Toys lay abandoned; he was nearly a young man. Still, the loneliness gnawed at him. He yearned for a dog, company to fill the emptiness. But his father always refused.

Who would look after it? Im at work all day, youve your studies, and youre still just a lad.

Instead of a pup, his father brought home a woman. Her name was Catherine. She moved in and began to make herself part of their world. Laurence kept his distance, barely speaking a word to her. He saw her as unnecessarya stranger. Yet his father called her his wife, eager for Laurence to accept her as his mother.

I dont need her! Laurence declared one evening, retreating to his room. And so they settled into a tense routine. Laurence watched as his father and Catherine exchanged friendly smiles, laughter, embracing each other. It only made Laurence angrier.

Father, I want her to leave. Laurence, you cant ask that. Lifes hard enough without a wife and mother.

As spring arrived, Laurence spent more time outdoors, joining the other boys in the garden. His new friends whispered cruel ideashis father and Catherine might send him away, perhaps to a childrens home, if they had a baby of their own. Laurences heart filled with dread. No reason they wouldnt, he thought; hed only ever be in the way. Secretly, he began to prepare for the worst.

He overheard fragments of conversation: Hell be alright, best send him away.

That was the breaking point. Laurence lay awake all night, plotting how to get rid of Catherine. She was only making things harder. He started misbehavingadding too much salt to her tea, leaving empty pans burning on the stove. Catherine soon guessed who was behind the mischief and called Laurence in for a chat.

Laurence, we need a word. Youre angry. No, Im not, Laurence tried to avoid the subject. Laurence, I dont wish to upset you or harm you, darling… Im not your darling! Catherine replied gently. Weve taken a cottage for the summer. We hoped to surprise you, but perhaps its time to be honest. Your father has found a puppy; were picking it up today. Would you like to come? Youre not joking? Laurences suspicion melted into hope, and he squeezed her tightly.

Catherine nearly wept with relief. Come now, you should be happyeverything will be alright, no need for tears, she soothed, running her hand through his hair.

When Laurences father came home, they left together to collect the pup. Laurences anger morphed into gratitude; Catherine was no longer his adversary. Harmony returned. The puppy slumbered in Laurences arms, and in that moment, all three were content.