“Oh, Emily, hello! Come to see your mum?” shouted the neighbour from her balcony.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Thompson. Yes, just popped round to see her.”
“You might want to have a word with her,” the woman sighed. “Shes been completely different since the divorce, poor thing.”
“What do you mean?” Emily tensed.
“Ive been having trouble sleeping, waking up early. Saw her one morning around five, stepping out of a cab. And she looked well, lets just say, not her usual self. Maybe even a bit tipsy. All the neighbours are talking. At her age! And why did she kick your father out? Yes, he made a mistake, but who doesnt have flaws? So many years togetherseems silly to divorce now.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Thompson,” Emily said, swallowing hard. “Ill talk to her.”
With that, she hurried inside. Her mother had indeed thrown her father out six months ago after catching him cheating. Emily had begged her not to rush thingsanything could be mended. But her mother had been firm. And strangest of allshe hadnt fallen into depression as youd expect. Instead, she was full of life. New clothes, dancing, nights out with friendsthings shed never done before.
Emily struggled to accept it. She herself was about to get married, planning children. And her motherout at bars until dawn? What kind of grandmother would she be? How could she introduce her to the future mother-in-law, when one knitted blankets and the other danced in nightclubs?
When she walked in, her mother greeted her with a teapot in hand and a bright smile. Dressed not in a worn-out dressing gown but in a stylish beige suit. Nails done, pedicure, false lashesclearly enjoying herself.
“So, hows James?” she asked, setting down the cups.
“Everythings fine,” Emily replied, trying to steady her voice. “But what about you?”
“Brilliant! Last night, the girls and I stayed out till morning. Danced, then karaoke. Such a laugh!”
“Mrs. Thompson told me everything,” Emily said darkly. “That you came back at five in the morning and seemed drunk.”
Her mother laughed. “Well, what did you expect? Sipping tea at a bar?”
Emily couldnt hold back. “Mum, dont you think youre overdoing it?”
“In what way?”
“Well, to put it mildly, youre not twenty anymore. Whats with the dancing and clubs? You should be setting an example. Youre going to be a grandmother!”
“Im a woman whos finally free. I wont live by other peoples scripts.”
“But you lived with Dad for so many years! How can you move on just like that?”
Her mother paused, then said calmly but firmly, “Your father betrayed me. It wasnt a mistakeit was a choice. And I wont just be a servant anymore. I want to live. For myself. I spent years living for the family. Now I do what I want.”
“But youre nearly fifty!”
“So what? I dont have to grow old on schedule.”
Emily realised shed gone too far. “Sorry, I didnt mean to upset you. I just care.”
“If youre ashamed of me, dont invite me to the wedding. But know thisI wont hide my grey hair under a scarf or wear frumpy dresses. Ill dance, and maybe even flirt. I feel good.”
“No, Mum, I want you there. Its just”
“Just that Auntie Thompson disapproves? Well, I dont care. Im finally living.”
When she got home, she told her fiancé everything.
“I dont know how to react.”
James laughed. “I think your mums brilliant. She didnt wallowshe chose life. No crime in being happy.”
That weekend, Emily called her mother.
“Mum, lets go to the spa, then a bar with live music?”
“Wont you be embarrassed by me?”
“Ill tell them youre my older sister,” Emily chuckled.
“Deal. But dont expect an early night.”
That day was a turning point. For the first time, Emily saw the strength her mother had. And maybejust maybeshe could learn from her. To be herself. Not to live “as she should,” but as she truly wanted.
