Deserted and Stranded
Dear Frankie,
When I left the dog park for my ride home, my mom’s car was nowhere in sight. I checked the parking lot to see if she had parked there, but it was empty. The only thing I could think of was something horrible had happened to her, and I was never going to see her again.
Tinker’s mom noticed my distress and assured me my mom would be back soon.
She said, “Don’t worry, she probably ran a quick errand and got caught in traffic.”
I didn’t say anything, but I thought she could have also been carjacked or kidnapped. Just then, my mom drove up to the gate. On the ride home, she talked about this and that and never said a word about deserting me and leaving me stranded. Don’t you think the least she could have done was to apologize for being late?
Lester
Dear Lester,
Is it possible that your mom didn’t think she was late? If that were the case, then there would be no reason for her to apologize or to say she was sorry.
When you got in the car, you didn’t tell her how frightened you were when she wasn’t waiting for you at the gate or how scared you were when you thought that something terrible had happened to her.
When your mom didn’t say anything, why didn’t you tell her what had occurred and give her a chance to apologize? I’m not trying to blame the victim here by saying this is your fault because you didn’t speak up. Instead, to remind you that sometimes the people who love you get distracted and need to be told what you need and want from them so that they can come through for you.
Best, Frankie
© 2023 Geneva Woodruff
Comments and letters can be sent to Frankie at dearfrankiecolumn@gmail.com. The Fairhaven Neighborhood News publishes the Dear Frankie column. To receive a free online subscription, readers can email neighbnews@comcast.net, request their name be added to the email list or visit www.neighbnews.com to read the paper online or to download the latest issue.
•••
Click here to download the 2/1/24 issue: 02-01-24 UnionWharf
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal
