Thank You, Lord! At Last, My Prayers Have Been Answered! – Gran Breathed Heavily, Yet Her Face Shone with Genuine Joy. Gently Stroking Her Grandson’s Face with Her Frail Hands, She Let Them Fall Back onto the Blanket.

Thank you, Lord! At last! My grandmothers breath was laboured, but her face shone with genuine happiness. She softly stroked my cheek with her dry hands before letting them settle on the blanket.

Have a rest, Gran, I pleaded. Weve got all day tomorrow to talk till our hearts content.

She smiled sadly. No, Matthew. All I asked of God was to live long enough to see you once more. Nothing else matters nowIve seen you, embraced you. Ill rest a bit and then we can chat. She closed her eyes wearily. Mrs Baker, please feed the boyhes come a long way.

Gran was very weak. She knew her time was short. I was her only living relative, just as she was mine. My parents had vanished into oblivion long ago, losing themselves first to drink, selling off all they hadcar, furniture, belongings, then their home. In the end, they sacrificed themselves. Gran had managed to rescue me from that life, made sure I went to school, encouraged me to get a driving licenceboth car and lorryand waved me off as I left for the army. Today, she greeted me again. It wasnt how shed wanted, but there was no choosing now.

While Mrs BakerGrans oldest friend and our neighbourset me up with a hearty meal in the kitchen, Gran rested, searching for the right words, something that would reach my head as well as my heart. But her memory was slipping now. Absentmindedly, she stroked Megher dear old cat, who hadnt left her side for days, sensing something was wrong. At last she called out to me.

Matthew, come here. When I sat beside her, she spoke gently, I so wanted to dote on your children, Matthew, but perhaps its not to be. Youll be on your own now. Its not easy being alone. If you meet a good girl, dont let her gopick with your heart for life, and for hard times. Life is never easynever has been, never will be. Dont waste your days in idleness or mindless fun; and steer well clear of drink! One person falls to it, and all who love them suffer. There are many paths in life, Matthew. Choose the right one.

Gran paused, either gathering strength or thinking of my parents. But she pulled herself together and went on. The flat is in your name nowyoull have somewhere to bring a young wife. Ive put away for my funeralMrs Baker will show you where. The rest Ive transferred to your bank card, should see you through for a while. Look after my Meg, dont let her be alone. Shes wise and gentleyou know it yourself, you found her as a kitten She gave me a feeble smile. Thats everything, I think. Go and get some rest, Ill sleep a bit, too.

By morning, Gran didnt wake.

I got a job as a network engineer, wiring up fibre and setting up connections with a team of six blokes. The work was hard but I earned a decent wage, and there was satisfaction in doing a good job.

At home, Megour grey tabbywaited for me. Id found her as a kitten on the street some eight years ago. Since Grans death, Meg was miserable, barely eating. She spent most days on Grans old armchair, staring at the doorway as if waiting for Gran to return. But the door stayed closed.

I tried cheering Meg up, chatting to her for hours, telling her about my day as I sat her on my knee, tempting her with her favourite treats. It took a full month before she responded at all.

It was on the day I brought home my first pay packet. The lads insisted I get the drinks inan unspoken rule you couldnt break. I took them to a local café, treated them and myself. I got home late, a little tipsy. Meg met me at the door. I couldnt bring myself to meet her big, knowing green eyes. I looked away, but she wouldnt let me off. Finally, she seemed to understand my state, gave a mournful, almost hopeless meow and slunk underneath the sofa.

Meg, loveits not that I wanted to, you know, I muttered, feeling I was apologising not to the cat, but to Gran. They helped get me the jobthe lads, you know. I couldnt say no.

The next evening Meg was there again, and realising I was back to my old self, purred and twined round my legs, ate hungrily, and followed me from room to room all evening. She curled beside me in bed, gently pressing her head against my shoulder.

You know everything, dont you, I whispered, stroking her soft fur. Dont worry about me, Im grown nowI can look after myself. Only thing grown-ups cant manage is the drinkwhen they start, it gets them all. Im scared of it. You know whyall that family history. Trouble is, I might have to change jobs. Theres always a reason for a drink with that crewwarming up, winding down, Friday, birthday, you name it. I keep saying no, but they look at me funny now. Ill have to look elsewherebut what? Ive always dreamed of being a lorry driver, but I havent got the right licence. Whod trust me with a big artic?

On another Friday, the team were at the café again, loud and merrycelebrating the end of the week. As usual, I stuck to sparkling water, watching my mates growing rowdier.

A young waitress named Emily served us. The lads kept inviting her to join, and then our foreman grabbed her arm and pulled her close. Frightened, she tried to pull away, but he was strong, and very drunk.

Let her go, I said, standing. The table went quietchallenging the foreman was unheard of. Surprised, he loosened his grip, and she slipped away, lingering nearby, watching me worriedly.

The situation didnt escalate; the café ownera big man called Michael, in chefs whites and arms bare to the elbowappeared and the lads hurried out, glaring at me.

Wait a sec, lad, Michael said. Let them cool off outside. Why stick with that lot, if you dont drinkwhats in it for you?

We work together, I shrugged. Team at work, team after.

Nonsense. Michael introduced himself and grumbled, Some friends. Emily, loveput the kettle on, make us a proper cuppa. Lets take five while things are quiet.

Is sheyour daughter? I asked, watching Emily go.

He nodded. Helps out after college. Sit, have some tea. You ought to find another job, lad. Theyll turn on you after todayor try to drag you down with them. You trained for anything?

Ive a driving licencecars and lorries, and a years army driving under my belt. I wanted to do big haulage, but whod take on a new lad?

Not straight away, but I know people, Michael nodded. Good drivers, proper ones. Till then, work for me. Drive the vandelivery runs, a few further afield. Ill train you on the bigger lorries later if youre up for the licence.

Id be glad to! I grinned. Michael seemed even more of a good sortsolid, gentle, big-hearted. And he was Emilys dad; that alone earned him my respect. Seeing me watch Emily, he told her, You head off home now, love. Matthew will walk you. His smile grew as he noticed how red both our faces were.

***

Five years later, I was hauling a big artic down a winter road. Thirty miles left to the city where my wife Emily, our daughter Sophie, and our dear old Meg would be waiting. In the gloom I spotted a solitary figurean older man in a thin jacket, shivering by the roadside.

Hell freeze out here, I thought, pulling over.

Foreman? I recognised him as he climbed in.

He looked at me with the sodden eyes of a lost man. Oh, its you I was the foreman once, now its all gone. The old teamhalf gone, others replaced us. One froze to death, one drownedtoo much drink. Another poisoned himself with windscreen wash. The restodd jobs, like me. He pulled a bottle from inside his coat and took a swig, grimacing. Never mind, Ill manage.

I dropped him near the High Street and watched him go with a heavy heart, remembering his hollow boasting.

As I approached home, I glanced up at our flat. Warm light spilled from the kitchen windowEmily up waiting for me. Perhaps Mrs Baker was visiting, chatting, helping with Sophie. Or notSophie would be asleep in her little bed, under a photo of Gran. She loved telling Gran all her little worries and stories from nursery. The photo doesnt answer, but those kind eyes and kind smile always seem to listen.

And there was Meg, perched on the windowsill, gazing into the night. She saw me, stretched, and disappeareda sure sign she was rushing to greet me at the door.

Im not alone, Gran, I whispered with a smile at our glowing windows. Were all heretogether. And youre with us too. This is my path.”