Part XVI:
Her Charge

Her Charge:

Beside the Maiden, steadfast and bold,
In tempests fierce, his heart takes hold.
Her Charge, a bastion in nature's fold,
Through highs and lows, their bond untold.

Guardian-like, the Maiden stands fair,
Her Charge, her anchor in the open air.
Grown in spirit, matured in mind,
Her Charge strides with confidence, refined.

In night's embrace, the Fool feels dread,
For the boy alone, his fears thread.
While the boy games, the Fool's thoughts spread,
His mother's absence weighs like lead.

A debt he owes, to the boy's grace,
Sharing his mother’s heart with embrace.
A vow he makes, in earnest chase,
To safeguard the Maiden and her Charge's space.

The Fool, bereft of Charge to know,
Yearns to understand the path to sow.
“What does thy Charge seek?” he does inquire,
In fate's hands, his hope aspires.

A new PlayStation, a scooter's thrill,
An escape room conquered, hearts tranquil.
Candles aglow in the musical night,
In the Fool's mind, joy for the boy's delight.

In dreams he crafts, a hopeful theme,
In towering castles, his visions gleam.
Too vast for one, but perfect three,
For Maiden, Charge, and destiny.

Lost in life's labyrinth, the Fool does seek,
With steps unsure, yet hearts do speak.
With faith they journey, through joy and strife,
The Fool yearns for the Maiden and Charge in his life. 

Introduction:

Alexandra's son, let's call him "Sam," has been the only stable male figure in her life—a heavy honor for a boy of just 13. He was there to comfort her during their relocations, her struggles with COVID, and through her many tears.

I understood that Alexandra was balancing her roles as both a woman and a mother. It was remarkable that Sam was willing to share his mother with me. Though I felt a twinge of guilt, I sought ways to make it up to him. From outings, candle lit concerts, and escape rooms to small gestures like the PS5 I bought, which sat unopened for a year, I wanted to ensure that Sam and his mother found some joy as they built their new lives together.

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This little boy did more for his mother than I ever did. Again, this lesson from hindsight is so valuable - if I was just smart enough to see it earlier.