Antonia Parker Walked Home in the Rain, Tears Mixing with the Downpour—No One Saw Her Sadness. Once …

Antonia Perkins walked through the rain, bitter tears streaming down her face and mixing with the falling drops.
At least its raining, she mused. No one can see my tears.
She couldnt help but blame herself. Serves me right, really. Turned up at the wrong time. The unwanted guest.
She plodded along, weeping. But, at times, a laugh slipped out as she recalled a joke where a son-in-law says to his mother-in-law, Whats this, mum, wont you even stop for a cuppa?
Now, she was in the shoes of that mum herself.
She cried and laughed, laughed and cried.
When she finally got home, she shrugged off her soaking clothes, wrapped herself in a woolly blanket, and allowed herself to sob openly. There was no one to hear her except the goldfish, bubbling away in its round tank. No one else at all.
Antonia Perkins had always been a striking woman, well liked by men. Yet her marriage to Nicks father had never worked out. He drank heavily. At first, she let it slidehed drink, then doze off. But then the jealousy started boiling over. Of everyone! From a stranger who asked Antonia for directions, to the butcher at the market, from an old gent walking with a cane, to their own neighbour.
One day, after shed smiled and greeted that neighbour, her husband utterly lost his wits.
He beat herhard and methodically. Right in front of their son.
Young Nick later told the whole story, vividly, to his grandparents. Antonias mother burst into tears.
Oh, what have we come to! Is this why I raised a daughter, for her to be battered by a drunken brute?
Her father dressed silently and left. He found his son-in-lawhis former son-in-law from that second onand dragged the man out, straight from the fourth floor. The man even broke his arm in the commotion.
With a threatening shake of his fist, her father shouted after him, Come near my daughter again and Ill land you in hospital. Ill go to jail if I must, but I wont let you ruin her life another day.
True to his word, the man disappeared from their lives. Antonia never remarried. She had a son to raisewho knew what sort of man shed end up with next time?
Plenty of men tried to win her over. She just couldnt do it. Her ex-husband had put her off for good.
Financially, Antonia got by. She had a wonderful professioncatering manager at a cosy local restaurant. She didnt complain about her lot in life.
Bit by bit, she tucked away savings for a flat. When shed finally managed to save enough, Nick decided it was time to marry. His fiancée, lovely with a melodic nameCharlotte.
So, Antonia stayed in her old little council flat and arranged a joyful wedding for the young couple, even handing over her new two-bedroom flat to them. Why not? They were starting a family, and needed it more than she did.
Now she was saving for their new car.
How much longer could they drive that rusting old Metro?
Antonia wouldnt have visited her son today, as she never made a habit of intruding on her childrens lives. But as luck had it, she found herself nearby just as a heavy storm broke out. She hadnt a brolly to hand, and, besides, the downpour was so fierce even an umbrella wouldve been useless.
So she decided to pop in, pass the time with Charlotte, natter about women’s things, and enjoy a cup of tea.
But Charlotte opened the door and stared at her mother-in-law in surprise, not even inviting her in. Standing cold in the doorway, she asked,
Mrs. Perkins, did you want something?
Antonia stammered, confused and embarrassed:
Its just the rain
The rains stopped now. Its not far for you, youll manage, Charlotte cut her off, folding her arms and glancing at the window.
Yes, of course, Antonia muttered, and, teary-eyed, stepped back into the rain.
She cried, and she cried, until at last, she drifted into sleep.
In her dreams, her goldfish grew enormous and mouthed words silentlybut Antonia heard every one. The fish spoke!
Crying again, are you? Foolish woman! Not even offered tea, even in a storm! Saving for a car for your son and daughter-in-law, are you? Always sacrificing for them! Look at yourselfyoure clever and beautiful! Youve money put away! So what if its for them? They dont value it. Go somewhere by the sea! Live for yourself for a change!
Antonia woke as dusk fell.
The fish still opened and closed its mouth in the tank, though now Antonia could no longer understand its secret language. Still, she understood the important bit: dont give yourself up for those who take you for grantedor for those too proud to offer you a cup of tea or shelter from the storm.
Antonia Perkins took the savings shed intended for her childrens car and bought herself a seaside holiday instead. She went, she relaxed, and returned radiant, tanned, and transformed.
Her son and daughter-in-law never knew. After all, they only called or visited when they needed money or a babysitter.
Antonia also stopped shying away from men, and even found herself an admirera charming and distinguished man who was, as it happened, the manager of her restaurant.
Hed fancied her for ages, but shed always been too caught up in her sons and daughter-in-laws lives. Now, things had finally come together. They travelled to work together, came home together, and life took on a new sweetness.
Just recently, Charlotte dropped by.
Why dont you come to see us anymore, Mrs. Perkins? Or call? Nicks found a car he likes, she hinted.
Is there something you wanted, Charlotte? Antonia replied, folding her arms.
Charlotte opened her mouth to respond, but from the other room emerged a distinguished gentleman,
Toni, will you join me for tea?
I will! Antonia beamed.
And invite our guest, wont you? suggested the gentleman, ever hospitable.
No, Charlotte was just leaving. Besides, she doesnt drink tea. Isnt that right, Charlotte?
Antonia shut the door with a smile and winked at her goldfish.
Thats more like it!
Because sometimes, its only when you start living for yourself that you truly discover happiness.