Stay at the care home for a while, Mum, while we sort out the house sale, said the daughter.
Margaret had married very late in life. Truthfully, luck had always eluded her, and at forty she no longer expected to meet, by her standards, a decent man.
Forty-five-year-old Edward turned out to be quite a charmer. Hed been married a couple of times, with three children, to whom a judge had recommended he hand over his own flat.
That left Margaret, after a few months of hopping between rented places, with no choice but to bring her husband to her sixty-year-old mother, Mary Green.
From the moment he crossed the threshold, Ed wrinkled his nose, making no secret of his disapproval at the scent lingering in the air.
Smells musty in here, he grumbled, his tone dripping with judgement. Wouldnt hurt to open a window.
Mary heard his words clear as day but pretended not to notice.
So, where are we supposed to live then? Ed exhaled, already sounding unhappy with his new surroundings.
Quick to please her husband, Margaret bustled about and pulled her mother aside.
Mum, Ed and I will have your room, she whispered. Can you stay in the little one for now?
That very day, Mary Green found herself pushed out of her own bedroom and dumped in a box room barely fit for living.
She had to haul her things there by herself; her son-in-law flatly refused to lend a hand.
From that point forward, life became a daily struggle for Mary. Ed complained about everythingher cooking, her cleaning, even the wallpaper colour.
But what bothered him most was the smell. He insisted the flat reeked of old age and claimed it was triggering his allergies.
Each time Margaret returned home, Ed would put on a show, coughing dramatically.
I can’t live like this! Ed declared angrily to Margaret. We need to sort something out!
We havent got enough money to rent anywhere else, replied Margaret, arms spread in desperation.
Well, get rid of your mum, then, Ed snapped, pinching his brow. I cant breathe.
And where do you want me to send her?
That’s your problem, he muttered. This place is a lost cause anyway. We need to sell it and get somewhere newyes, that’s it! Talk to your mum!
What am I supposed to say? Margaret asked anxiously.
Figure it out! Either way, you were going to get the place when shes gone. Well just speed things up, Ed shrugged, unbothered.
It doesnt feel right
Whos more important: me or her? Ed pressed, knowing exactly which buttons to push. I picked you up when you were fortywho else would have bothered with an ageing spinster? If I leave, youll be on your own again. No one else will have you.
Margaret scowled, but reluctantly shuffled off to her mothers little room.
Mum, youre not happy living here, are you? she began, hesitantly.
Have you got my room back? Mary asked, hope flickering in her eyes.
No, actually, weve got another idea. You were leaving this flat to me anyway, werent you? Margaret replied hopefully.
Of course, love.
Then lets just get on with it! I want to sell this place and buy another one, somewhere nice.
Couldnt we just re-do this flat? Mary suggested.
No, we need somewhere bigger.
And where will I go, darling? Marys lips trembled.
You could stay at a care home for the time being, Margaret relayed, unable to hide her excitement over her shocking proposal, but only for a bit! Well come and get you, promise.
Really? Mary looked up at her daughter, eyes full of trust.
Of course, Mum. Once weve sorted everything and fixed up the new place, well bring you home, Margaret insisted, squeezing her mothers hand.
With no real choice, Mary believed her daughter and transferred the deeds.
Once all the paperwork was sorted, Ed clapped his hands together, grinning. Pack up her things! Well take her over to the care home.
So soon? Margaret paused, guilt gnawing at her.
Why hang about? We dont even need her pension. She brings nothing but trouble, and shes already lived her life. Time to let us live ours, Ed responded briskly.
But we havent even sold the flat yet…
Just do as I say, or youll be left alone, he threatened, his face set.
Two days later, Marys belongings and Mary herself were bundled into a car and driven to the care home.
On the way over, Mary wiped away tears in secret, her heart weighed down by a sense of dread.
Ed didnt come along. He claimed he was going to air out the flat.
The care home staff settled Mary in quickly, and Margaret, with barely a hurried goodbye, awkwardly slipped away.
Youll come back for me, wont you, love? Mary called after her, hope shining through the pain.
Of course, Mum, Margaret answered, her gaze fixed firmly on the floor.
But Margaret knew full well Ed would never let Mary near their new home.
After taking possession of Marys flat, the couple wasted no time selling it and buying a new place. Ed had the new property put under his own name, claiming Margaret couldnt be trusted.
A couple of months on, Margaret worked up the courage to mention her mother to Ed. He snapped.
If you bring her up again, youre out! he barked, not hiding his irritation at the subject of Mary.
Margaret bit her tongue, knowing he was deadly serious. She never brought up Mary again.
Twice, Margaret nearly went to visit her mother, but each time, she stopped herself, haunted by the image of her mothers tears.
For five years, Mary waited daily for her daughter to return.
But her wait was in vain. Heartbroken by the separation, she passed away quietly.
Margaret only heard the news a year later, after Ed kicked her out and she finally remembered her mother.
Crushed by guilt, Margaret sought solace in a convent, seeking forgiveness for her betrayal.
Life teaches us that love, loyalty, and kindness to family should always outweigh fleeting comforts or promises. Those who turn their backs on loved ones in their hour of need may one day find themselves longing for the warmth they once so carelessly cast aside.
