My husband refused to support our son on prom night because he didn’t approve of his girlfriend, who uses a wheelchair. Then my mother-in-law showed up and said, “You need to know the truth about her.” What she revealed shook me. But following my husband one night uncovered the real secret.
After last winter break, a new girl transferred into my son’s class.
Her name was Yuki. She was smart, kind, and used a wheelchair.
Not long after that, my 17-year-old son, Lucas, told us they were dating.
I was so happy for him.
She was smart, kind, and used a wheelchair.
He smiled more. He’d come home from school talking about Yuki for hours.
For the first time since middle school, my quiet boy was truly happy.
But my husband, James, reacted very differently after seeing Yuki’s picture on Lucas’s phone.
At first, he didn’t say much.
But I could see it in his face. The tension whenever Lucas mentioned Yuki’s name. The way his jaw would clench.
My husband, James, reacted very differently after seeing Yuki’s picture.
Then James started saying things.
“Are you sure this is a good idea? Him dating her?”
I frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, does he really understand what he’s getting himself into? She’ll need constant care. He’s only 17. He has a bright future ahead. And this girl…”
“James, she uses a wheelchair. She’s not helpless.”
“She’ll need constant care.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean?”
“Forget it.”
But he didn’t forget it. Over the next few weeks, his comments got worse.
“He should be focusing on college applications, not relationships.”
“Relationships are part of growing up, James.”
“Not these kinds of relationships.”
His comments got worse.
I stared at him. “What is wrong with you?”
He wouldn’t answer.
When Lucas announced he was taking Yuki to prom, I was thrilled.
He showed me pictures of the corsage he’d ordered. The restaurant reservation he’d made.
He was so excited.
But when I told James, his face went dark.
“As long as Lucas is dating Yuki, I won’t be anywhere near them.”
Lucas announced he was taking Yuki to prom.
“James, it’s our son’s prom.”
“So what?”
“Are you serious right now?”
“That girl isn’t good enough for our son. End of discussion.”
“That girl has a name. It’s Yuki. And she’s kind and smart, and she makes our son happy.”
“I don’t care.”
“That girl has a name. It’s Yuki.”
“What is your problem with her? Is it because she uses a wheelchair? Because if that’s it, I’m ashamed of you.”
“It’s not about the wheelchair.”
“Then what is it about?”
James stood up and walked out of the room without answering. I followed him, calling his name, but he didn’t turn back.
I told myself I’d deal with him later. Right then, my son mattered more.
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