The Unwanted Mum

UNWANTED MOTHER

“James, sit down. We need to talkit’s urgent.” My wife sat at the kitchen table, her face set in determination.

I sat beside her. Emily dabbed at her teary eyes with a handkerchief.

“I honestly don’t know what to do with mum. She can barely get about now. Shell never make it through this winter in that old cottagethe things ready to fall apart.”

“So, what are you thinking?”

“I’m telling you, I don’t know.”

“Emily, as always, youre hoping Ill sort it for you, but shes your mother. The decisions got to be yours.”

“James, we cant have her here with us. We’ve only got this two-bed flat, and the boys are getting big now. Where would we even put mum?” It was clear Emily had already made up her mind; now, she was working out how to break it gently to me. “Theres that private care home in town.”

“Emily, youre not seriously suggesting putting your mother in a care home?”

“We havent got a choice. Ive heard its nice there.”

“But you said its private,” I replied, rather sceptical. “How much?”

“Sixty pounds a day. If you pay for the month at once, its twelve hundred. Shell get looked after, and have medical care. Twelve hundred isnt pocket change for us, but well managesomehow.”

“Emily, it just feels so wrong. Your mums always brought us preserves, pickles spoilt the boys, doted on all of us. And here we are, thinking of packing her off to a home.”

“Do you think it doesnt break my heart, James? Were desperate.”

“Oh!” I couldnt help sighing. “Is there really no other way?”

“I did thinkmaybe sell her cottage. She signed it over to me. But whod buy that place, what with winter coming? And how much would it fetch in that state?”

“Have you talked to your mum?”

“Not yet. Were popping over on Saturday to tidy up her garden. Ill speak to her then.”

“Ill clear the garden with the boys,” I said, shaking my head. “But talk to your mum about the care homewithout me.”

“James, she can stay there until spring. If she hates it, well figure something else out then.”

“I dont know, Emily. Ive got a feeling if she goes, itll be for good. It just doesnt sit right.”

***

Itd been a week since Lydia had moved into the care home. She understood that Emily had no other option. She could hardly walk now, let alone live alone. She was well into her seventies.

But shed hoped for a different ending to her days. She dreamt of spending her last years among family, not feeling useless and unwanted.

A nurse popped into her room.

“Mrs. Clark, your grandkids are here to see you!”

A wide smile broke across Grans face as the boys came in. Even the younger oneBenwas taller than her now, and Tom practically towered.

“Hello, Gran! How are you?”

“Im all right, love. The foods good, and the nurses look after us well,” she fussed as usual. “Sit down, dont hovertake a seat at the table!”

“We cant stay long, Gran. We brought you some treats and warmer clothes.”

“Thank you!” she said, and immediately asked, “Hows school?”

“Fine,” they chorused.

“Work hard, wont you! Tom, its your last yearany plans for after?”

“Yes, Gran. Im applying to the university here.”

“Where are your parents? Sent you two along but didnt come themselves?”

“Dad went to your cottage, Gran.”

“Oh, he should dig up all the carrots, its getting coldbut the cabbages, too, theyre ready.”

“Ill ring him now!”

Ben whipped out his phone and dialled.

“Dad, Gran says dig up her carrots and pick the cabbages.”

“Will do,” came Dads voice.

“Let me,” Gran said, taking the phone and launching into instructions. “James, dig up the carrots but dont take them straight into the cellarlet them dry a few days first. Then the cabbages, leave the stalks on before putting them in the cellartheres sand in two crates, plant them stalk down. The big carrots go in as well; the little ones you can keep!”

“Got it, mum. Dont fret, all right?”

“And James, find my Tilly and feed herpoor cats all on her own now.”

“Ill find her, dont worry.”

She handed back the phone.

“Gran, we have to go now,” said Tom, standing up.

“Wait!” Gran reached for her purse. “Here, a tenner each. Buy yourselves something nice.”

“But you”

“Take it, take it! Ive no use for money in here.”

“Thanks, Gran!”

They left, and Lydia stood at the window, watching after them.

***

James parked his Vauxhall in front of the flat. His neighbour from the end door, Richard, put his own Ford right next to him.

Spotting Jamess bags of carrots and cabbages, Richard asked, “Been to the allotment?”

“Of sortsEmilys mums place.”

“My wife and I are thinking of getting an allotment, or maybe a little cottage near here. The kids are grown up, out on their own now.”

“Youve got that four-bedroom flat, right, Rich?”

“Yeah, same floor as you.”

“Listen, would you swap it for oursthe two-bed, same floor? Ill even throw in the cottage and veggie patch. Emilys mums not well, cant look after it anymore.”

“Well, thats an idea,” said Richard, scratching his head thoughtfully. “Well come round tonight for a look.”

“Talk it over with Lisa, and come by after dinner.”

“I will, mate.”

***

James showered, had a bite to eat, and collapsed onto the bed. Emily was in the kitchen making suppersoon the boys would be back, Ben from football practice, Tom well, Tom had just fallen in love.

“Seventeen years oldabout time,” I thought to myself. “Lets just hope we dont have any trouble. Bens barely homealways out and about”

A knock at the door interrupted Emilys thoughts. She dried her hands and hurried to answer it. Their neighbours from down the corridor.

“Emily, can we pop in?”

“Come in, come in! Lisa, everything all right?”

“Didnt Jamie say?”

“No,” Emily replied, surprised.

“The blokes are plotting a flat swap.”

“What?” Emily recovered. “Well, come in, both!”

She rushed into the lounge and gave her snoozing husband a shove.

“James, wake up! Guests are here.”

He got up, dashed to the bathroom.

“Just a sec!”

Meanwhile, Lisa gave the flat a thorough once-over.

“Is anyone going to explain whats going on?”

“Emily, the men want to swapyour place and the cottage for our four-bed,” Lisa said, nodding approvingly. “Lovely flat youve got.”

James returned to the room. Emily went straight to him.

“Is this your big idea?”

“If we agree, well move to theirsfour bedrooms. Your mum can move in with us.”

Emily paused, a curious smile working across her face.

“Well, what are we standing around for? Lets have a cuppa, then well go see your place, Lisa.”

“Tea?” James laughed. “Lets open something a bit stronger for an occasion like this!”

***

It took James and Emily a long time to get to sleep that nightthey talked for hours, picturing their new spacious home and where everything would go. It was mainly Emily chatting; I started drifting off.

“Are you asleep already?” she nudged me.

“Emily, dont say anything to your mum yet. Lets settle in first, then bring her over.”

***

That rainy autumn morning, Lydia Clark stared out her care home window, gloom matching the weather.

“Three weeks Ive been here. I suppose theyve forgotten me. Im just a spare mum now. The grandkids came round once, not again. Emily’s rung twice. First time, she said shed sold or swapped my cottageshe sounded so happy. Well, at least theyll be able to pay for me here, twelve hundred a month isnt small change. Not like Ive anywhere to go back to now.

Second time, she said she was too busy to visit but shed try soon. Young people are always busy. Its Saturday todaymaybe theyll come. Why didnt I get myself a mobile phone? Wouldnt have known how to use it anyway.”

She sat, nursing those bitter thoughts for hours. Suddenly, her son-in-laws car pulled up at the gate.

“Theyre herethey havent forgotten! But, why is James alone? And no bags Something must be wrong.”

Lydia couldnt tear her gaze from the door until it finally opened and James came in, smiling.

“Hello, mum!”

“Hello, James. Whats happened?”

“Get your things, mum, were going home.”

“Home? Just for a visit?”

“No, for good. Pack up everything.”

“Why all the cryptic stuff?”

“Your grandsons told me not to saysaid to make it a surprise.”

Lydia bustled about, hope blooming. Her roommateand friendHelen walked in from her treatment.

“Lyd, where are you off to?”

“My son-in-laws taking mehome for good!” Lydia replied, sheer happiness in her voice.

“You lucky thing! Looks like Ill be stuck here to the end,” Helen sighed.

“You never know, love. Its hard for families with us oldies.”

***

Through the window, Lydia watched as James drove her through town. She couldnt squash her worries.

“Whys he bringing me back? Theyve only got two bedrooms; its cramped already. Ill just be in their waytheyll send me back to the home soon enough.”

James parked as usual, helped her out of the car, gathered her bagsthen headed toward a different entrance. She looked at him, puzzled.

“In you come!”

They went up to the second floor to one of the larger flats. The door flew open; her grandsons tumbled out.

“Come on, Gran!” Ben shouted. “This is ours now!”

She stepped inside, to find Emily embracing her.

“Mum, youre living with us now! Let me show you your room.”

It was small, but cosy, with a wardrobe and a brand-new bed. She could hardly believe shed be surrounded by her family again.

Just then, a furry head rubbed against her leg, and a familiar purr sounded.

“Tilly!” Lydia cried in delight, tears streaming down her facethis time, from pure happiness.