A son hides his one-eyed mother and refuses to let her attend his graduation because he is ashamed of her.
Most people didn’t know Derek Ryder’s mother. Derek froze as friends discussed their parents. He never invited his friends around for video games or movies.
From elementary school to his final year in high school, no one entered Derek’s residence. He lied to avoid introducing a lady by saying, “Look, babe, my mother is funny religious, she won’t let me date…”
Unfortunately, Derek was ashamed of his mother. He wanted to hide her horror movie freakiness. Derek’s mother had one eye and scars on her left side.
Since Derek could remember, Gail Ryder had been like that. He didn’t notice before because she was just his mom, but as he got older, he witnessed how people reacted to her.
He recognized his mom was ugly, not like others. He noticed other moms cringe the first day of school even though his mom wore enormous dark glasses and a cap.
“I don’t want you to take me to the gate, mom!” he said that night. “I can enter alone.”
“But honey, other moms bring their kids to school…” You remain little!” Gail stated.
“You freak!” Derek yelled. “I heard Bobby’s mom say so and now they’ll all call me a freak!”
Unkind people carry lifelong remorse.
Gail never returned to school. She drove away after dropping Derek off, tears streaming down her right cheek. She felt terrible when her son was humiliated of her.
Derek was OK as long as Gail stayed out of his public life—he pretended she was a recluse, religious zealot, or anything else to hide the truth.
Derek was in a bind at graduation. He received a pat on the back from the headmaster as valedictorian. He said, “Well, my man, I hope we finally meet your mother!” “I congratulate her personally!”
His mother? His mother couldn’t attend graduation with Derek! All would know! What could he do? That night, he hired an actress from a character actor agency.
His choice was the perfect representation of his dream mother. Beautiful, compassionate, scarless. Derek meticulously advised the woman on how to dress and speak and had his pseudo-mom pick him up from home.
Gail gasped at Derek’s graduation cape. “Derek! Is it today? Give me time to dress!”
“Dressed? For what? Derek asked.
“Why, honey, your graduation!” Gail reply.
You’re not going! Derek told her coldly. Do you think I want you on my most significant day, exposing your ugly face? I’ve spent my life hiding you.
One eye of Gail cried. “Derek,” she whispered. “Why are you so cruel?”
“Mom, you’re a freak, OK?” Derek yelled. “You’ve always shamed me. Do you understand that I hired someone to replace you?
Gail was deathly pale. She nods. “Oh my son,” she whispered. I apologize… Derek had turned his back and left. Two weeks later, he left home for California college.
Derek never contact his mother again, but ten years later, he learned she died. Her friends planned the funeral, but she left Derek her house and a large estate.
A large estate? Derek was amazed. He knew his mother had sent monthly checks and notes Derek never read to pay for college, but he never thought there would be much.
Derek flew home to see his mother’s lawyer, Terry Arlington. According to Mr. Ryder, his mother left him over $700,000 and the house, which is estimated to be worth over $1.5 million.
“But… Don’t comprehend! My mother led a simple life. I think my father left her with nothing. Derek exclaimed.
Arlington: “It was the insurance, and the compensation, of course. Surely you know about those?
“No!” Bewildered, Derek said. “What are you discussing?”
“Mr. Ryder, you approached a strange dog in the park when you were three. Arlington said your mother jumped between you and the beast when she noticed it. “She was viciously mauled, blinded, and scarred for life.”
“But… “It would have been me,” Derek said, tears in his eyes.
“I’ve always considered your mother one of the bravest and most selfless people I’ve ever known, Mr. Ryder, a true hero,” Arlington stated gently. “You must have been proud of her.”
Derek left the lawyer’s final words stuck in his head. He went to the cemetery, discovered his mother’s grave, and knelt, crying.
“Oh mom,” he whispered. I was harsh to you after you saved me. Please forgive me, mom.
Derek determined to never disguise his history after that. He placed one of his mom’s few photos with her big glasses on his desk to disguise the scars.
Every time he saw it, he remembered her sacrifice and generosity and his selfishness and cruelty.
What can this story teach us?
Be proud of your parents, regardless of appearance. Derek was conceited and selfish and disdained his disfigured mother.
Unkind people carry lifelong remorse. Derek was never forgiven for his cruelty after discovering his mother was maimed rescuing him.
