Family, please call David right away! her daughter shouted, panic in her voice. All three of the little ones have a fever and are whining. I cant get them to the doctor alone. Get him here in a car, please. Margaret tried to stay calm, though Emily could barely watch the scene unfold. Inside, anxiety for her grandchildren tightened her chest.
Give me a minute, love. Dont worry, Margaret said, attempting a soothing tone so as not to add to her daughters nerves. She hit the redial button and froze. Her fingers searched the contacts for her sons number, trembling. Three sick children, Emily alone, her husband at work a crisis.
She was certain David would come through. The first ring, the second, and finally he answered.
Hey, Mum, he said hurriedly.
David, dear, its a bit of a mess Margaret chose her words carefully. Emily called. All three toddlers are ill; they need to see a doctor straight away. Her husband cant get leave from work. Could you drive over and take the little ones? It shouldnt take long.
A tense silence hung in the line. Margaret could hear Davids breathing and some muffled noise behind him.
Mom, its impossible today, David sighed. Its Annies birthday. We booked a restaurant two weeks ago. Driving across town in this traffic would ruin the reservation. We cant make it.
Margaret clenched the phone tighter, her palm slick with sweat. Could her son really refuse to help?
David, can you hear me? The children are sick! Your nieces! Emily cant cope with three irritable toddlers on her own. They need a doctor now! Margaret tried not to let her voice break.
I understand, Mum, but we have plans. We cant cancel everything because of this. Call a cab. Or you and your father could help. Whats the problem? he replied evenly, without emotion.
Margaret sank into a chair, her legs giving way. She could not believe what she was hearing.
Dads at work! she blurted, losing restraint. I cant manage three sick kids by myself! You dont get basic things?
I cant, sorry, David snapped back. Its not my problem. The children are Emilys responsibility. Shell have to sort it herself.
Margarets throat tightened with fury. How is that not your problem? Theyre family! Your sister! Cant you help once in a while?
I said I cant! Were getting ready to go, sorry, David cut off. The brief beeps of the phone sounded like knives.
Margaret stared at the screen, unable to process. Her hands shook. She dialed again. No answer. Again. Silence.
Inside, something hot and burning swelled. How could her son be so cold? She tried her daughterinlaw, hoping Sarah might persuade him.
Hello, Margaret? Sarah answered almost instantly.
Sarah, dear, Margaret forced a calm tone. Why wont you ask David to help? Those are his nieces! Emily is struggling alone! You understand, youre a woman.
Sarah sighed, speaking coolly. Margaret, childrens issues are for their parents to handle. Theres a taxi, an ambulance if needed. The kids arent infants any more. Emily can manage.
Margaret felt the words cut deeper than Davids refusal. Do you realise what it would be like to haul three sick, fussy toddlers in a cab? she snapped. Theyre tiny! Emily cant do it by herself!
Its her children, Margaret, Sarah replied, still indifferent. We have our own evening planned. We dont want to ruin it over other peoples problems.
Rage surged through Margaret. Then with your future children you can ignore us altogether! she shouted, slamming the receiver.
The next days drifted like a fog. Margaret stopped calling David; he kept silent. She tried not to dwell on the incident, but the hurt festered, refusing to quiet.
At night she lay awake, replaying the harsh exchange. How could her son act so? Had she failed as a mother? Had she raised a selfish person?
Her husband tried to talk, but Margaret brushed him off. She felt she had to sort it out alone, to understand what went wrong.
On the fourth evening, her patience snapped. She decided to drive to Davids flat and speak facetoface. She needed to see how her son could betray his own family.
Sarah opened the door, surprised but stepped aside silently. Margaret entered without even taking off her coat.
Wheres David? she demanded sharply.
Inside, in his room, Sarah said, nodding toward the hallway.
Margaret pushed open the door. David met her gaze. For a split second something unreadable flickered in his eyes, then his expression hardened.
Mum? Whats wrong? he asked, raising an eyebrow.
How could you? Margaret shouted, the words bursting out so loudly David startled. All four days of anguish exploded.
How could you turn away from sick children? From your own sister? I didnt raise you to be selfish and cold!
David rose slowly, his face still calm, almost detached. Mum, you could have called a taxi yourself, he shrugged. Drive to Emilys, help with the kids. Im not obliged to drop everything at the first call.
He paused, looking straight at her. Did you forget how Emily stopped speaking to us after we bought the flat? Shes been gossiping, saying?
Since we bought the house shes been angry at everything. She wont answer the phone, she even threatens to throw things out the window. This has been going on for half a year, and now she suddenly needs help? Margaret stammered, words stuck.
Its not my business, David replied coolly. We earned our twobedroom house on our own. No one helped us. Let Emily sort out her own problems without dragging us in.
Margaret stepped closer, fists clenched involuntarily. Are you serious? Shes your sister! Shes family!
No, Mum, David snapped, voice rising. My family is Annie. Emily should have thought ahead.
She chose to have three kids! No one forced her! Im not obligated to drop everything the moment she calls! Margarets voice cracked.
Youre selfish! she shouted. All you think about is yourself! Your sister can barely manage the children and you wont even lend a hand!
Help? David laughed. Why should I help someone who hasnt spoken to me for six months? We stopped talking to Emily. How could you not see that?
He took a breath, speaking softer. What am I even talking about? Youre only ever worried about Emily. Its always been that way. Im a blank space for you.
Youre heartless! Margaret snapped, turning away. I didnt raise you like this. I taught you to help one another!
She rushed out of the flat, stopping on the stairwell, breathing hard. The hallway felt like a furnace. How could her son speak to her like that?
Cold night air slapped her face, but it didnt ease the sting. She walked to the bus stop, the same thought looping: where had she gone wrong? How had she raised such a selfish man? Why couldnt he see that family means looking after each other?
Pedestrians brushed past her. Could David be right? Had she demanded too much, ignoring his own pressures? Had she forgotten his life with his own family?
No. She shook her head. As a mother she believed she knew best what was right for children. Yet doubt settled deep, a tiny, sharp seed growing with each step toward her flat.
She boarded the bus, stared out the window at passing houses, cars, ordinary life. Inside, something inside her cracked, changed forever.
She didnt know if she could ever fix it, if she could talk to her son again as before, if she could forgive his refusal, or if he would ever forgive her blindness.
The bus rattled over potholes. She closed her eyes, hoping tomorrow might bring clarity, the right words, perhaps a chance for the family to become a family again.
And perhaps, if not, she would learn that love alone cannot hold a broken bond; understanding, humility, and willingness to meet each other halfway are what truly keep a family whole.
