I Spent Two Years Abroad and Returned to Discover My Son Had a “Surprise” Waiting for Me.

Author Harlan CovingtonReading 3 minViews 1

I spent two years living in Spain, and when I finally returned to my little cottage in the Yorkshire Dales, I learned that my son had been caught off guard by a surprise. My daughter, Eleanor, had taken a foreign gentleman, Marco, from Italy, as her husband. I moved in with them for two years, looking after my firstgrandchild, Lily, and keeping the house in order.

Eleanor and her husband both worked for the same firm in Leeds and only came home at night. I hoped that arrangement would stay the way it was, but fate had other plans. One evening they told me they no longer needed my assistance and asked me to pack my things and leave. A month later I was back in my own home, only to find that I was no longer welcome there either.

While I was staying with Eleanor, my son Thomas split from his first wife, abandoned the flat he shared with her and moved into my cottage, bringing his new wife, Mabel, who was already expecting. He never thought to ask for my permission. What could I possibly do? Turn my son and his pregnant wife out? No. Yet how were we to fit three, soon to be four, into a singleroomed cottage? Neither Thomas nor I had the pennies to rent a new place. I rang Eleanor, explained the predicament, and hoped she might understand and let me move back in with them. She would not. She seemed to have adopted a different outlook on life.

Thomass actions made sense to him; he had never imagined my return. So now I am left sleeping on the kitchen sofa, spending my days away from homeshopping, visiting friendswhile Thomas and Mabel get along quietly, with no quarrels in sight, yet Mabel gives me the cold shoulder. It is plain to see she does not welcome my presence in the house.

I never thought I would reach my sixtieth year and become a burden, someone else looking after the home I built. My son is entirely focused on his pregnant wife, paying no heed to the housing dilemma. I am searching for a parttime job, yearning to afford my own flat. The new inlaws live out in the country, and I wonder whether I should suggest to Mabel that she move in with my own parents. Might Thomas find work there? I doubt it. I am at a loss as to what to do, caught between duty and the need for my own roof over my head.

Couldn’t Bring Myself to Love Him — Girls, be honest—who here is Lily? — The woman eyed me and my friend with a cheeky grin. —I’m Lily. Why? — I replied, perplexed. —Here’s a letter for you, Lily. It’s from William, — the stranger produced a crumpled envelope from her dressing gown pocket and handed it to me. —From William? Where is he? — I asked, surprised. —He’s been moved to the adult care home. He waited for you, Lily, like a miracle from heaven. Wore his eyes out. He asked me to check his spelling before he gave me the letter to read. Didn’t want to embarrass himself before you. Well, lunch is soon. I work here, I’m one of the carers, — she gave me a reproachful glance, sighed, and hurried off. …One summer, my friend Sally and I strolled onto the grounds of an unknown institution. We were sixteen, enjoying the freedom of the holidays, craving adventure. Sally and I sat on a welcoming bench, chatting and laughing. We didn’t notice two lads approaching. —Hello, girls! Bit bored, are you? Shall we get acquainted? — One boy reached out, — William. I answered, —I’m Lily, and this is my mate Sally. And your quiet friend? —Leonard, — the second lad said softly. The boys struck us as old-fashioned and far too proper. William frowned and remarked, —Girls, why do you wear such short skirts? And Sally’s neckline is rather revealing. —Hmm… Boys, don’t look where you shouldn’t. Or you’ll go cross-eyed, — Sally and I teased, laughing. —Hard not to look. We are men, after all. What, do you smoke too? — William asked, persistent in his prim manner. —Of course we smoke. But only for show, — we joked. It was then Sally and I noticed something odd about the lads’ legs. William could barely walk, Leonard had a noticeable limp. —Are you being treated here? — I guessed. —Yes. I had a motorbike accident. Leonard misjudged a dive off the rocks, — William replied, reciting a well-worn story. — We’ll be discharged soon. Sally and I believed the boys without question. We had no clue William and Leonard were disabled from childhood, consigned to long-term care. To them, we were a taste of freedom. They lived and learned at a locked-away care home, each child inventing a story about some accident or fall or fight… William and Leonard turned out to be clever, witty, and mature beyond their years. Sally and I began visiting regularly—first, because we felt sorry for them and wanted to cheer them up; second, because we could learn so much from them. It became our weekly habit. William gifted me flowers picked from the nearest garden, Leonard always brought handmade origami, shyly pressing them into Sally’s hands. We’d all four squeeze onto the same bench: William at my side, Leonard turning his back, focussing entirely on Sally. My friend blushed, but she liked the attention from such a gentle soul. We chatted about everything and nothing. The summer slipped away in a haze of laughter and sunshine. Autumn arrived rainy and cold. School resumed. And, with Molly and I facing our final year, we simply forgot about William and Leonard. …Exams came and went, then the prom. Summer once more—full of hopes and new beginnings. Sally and I returned to the care home, thinking to visit our old friends. We settled on our usual bench, waiting for William and Leonard. William with his bunch of flowers, Leonard with his latest origami. We waited two hours, in vain. Suddenly a woman darted from the home and handed me William’s letter. I tore open the envelope: “Beloved Lily! You are my fragrant flower! My unattainable star! You might not have realised that I fell for you at first sight. Our meetings were my breath, my life. For six months, I stared out the window, hoping to see you. You forgot me. How it hurts! Our paths are different now. Still, I’m grateful to you for teaching me real love. I remember your velvet voice, your alluring smile, your gentle touch. Life without you, Lily, is unbearable! I’d give anything to see you one more time! I want to breathe, but I cannot… Leonard and I both turned eighteen. We’re being transferred this spring. We’re unlikely to meet again. My heart is in shreds! I hope I recover from loving you. Farewell, my dearest!” Signed, “Forever yours, William.” Inside the envelope I found a pressed flower. Guilt overwhelmed me. My heart ached that nothing could be changed. I remembered the saying: “We are responsible for those we have tamed.” I never imagined the depth of William’s feelings; I could never return them. I felt only friendly curiosity toward such an intelligent young man. Yes, I’d flirted a bit and teased him—but I had no idea my light-heartedness would fuel a fire that became a raging passion for William. …Many, many years have passed since then. William’s letter yellowed; the fly became dust. But I remember those innocent meetings, our carefree chats, and William’s infectious laughter. …And the story had a sequel: my friend Sally was moved by Leonard’s difficult fate. His parents rejected him for his “difference.” His leg was much shorter than the other. Sally finished teacher training and now works with disabled children. Leonard became her beloved husband. They have two grown sons. William, Leonard says, spent many years alone. When he was forty, his mother visited, saw her forsaken son, broke down in tears, rediscovered her love, and took him home to the countryside. What happened after has faded into mystery…