We Shall Live For Each Other
After the loss of his mother, George managed to collect himself somewhat. She had spent her last days in the hospital. Before that, shed been resting at home, where George and his wife Alice took turns looking after her. Their cottages stood side by side. George had offered to bring his mother to stay with them, but she flatly refused.
Son, your father died here, and I shall do the same. Its easier for me this way, she wept, and George, unable to deny her, gave in.
Of course, it would have been simpler for them if she had stayed, but their daughter Lily was only thirteen at the time, and they wished to spare her from witnessing her grandmothers decline. George worked in shifts down at the mill, and Alice was a primary school teacher. Between work and home, one of them always watched over his mother, even taking turns sleeping in her cottage so she wouldnt be alone.
Mum, is grandmother going to die soon? Lily would ask. Its so sad, shes always been so kind to us.
I dont know, love, but that time comes for everyone. Thats just life.
Grandmothers health took a turn for the worse, and she was taken to hospital. George had a younger sister, Harriet, three years his junior, who left her son Anthony with their mother or with Alice whenever possible. Harriet was always darting about, business trips she used to call them. Shed been divorced for some time, never made an effort to mind her mother, knowing well enough that George and Alice would see to it instead. Harriet was Georges exact oppositesharp-tongued, hard-hearted, quarrelsome.
Their mother died in hospital three days later. After the funeral, there was a talk of selling her cottageif left unattended, it would quickly fall to ruin. Years before, their mother had settled the deed of the house in Georges name, having never had a proper relationship with Harriet. Harriet knew this and had long since ceased dealing with their mother.
Yet after the house was sold, Alice pressed the matter firmly.
George, as soon as you receive the money, divide it with Harriet. Half for her, half for us.
Come now, Alice, Harriets got her own flather ex-husband set her up nicely and left with nothing. Honestly, shell only squander the money away.
Thats as may be, George, but its our conscience that matters. Youd rather have her bitterly complaining about you all over town?
Finally convinced, George handed half of the sale money to his sister. Harriet, instead of being grateful, simply asked, Is that all? Wheres the rest?
Time marched on. Lily had turned fifteen, when another misfortune struck the family. Alice fell ill. Shed often complained of being run-down, chalked it up to the weariness that comes with teaching children day after day. It wasnt until she fainted in the garden one afternoon that George rushed her to the hospital, where the doctors discovered the worstthey said it was too late.
Is there nothing at all that can be done for my wife? George asked the doctor, desperate.
Were doing all we can, but she came to hospital far too lateindeed, she didnt come at all. You really didnt notice she was so unwell?
Of course I noticed! I pleaded with her to see a doctor, but Alice always put others first, never herself He trailed off, helpless.
George brought Alice back home where she took to her bed and never got up again. He and Lily nursed her as best they could, but the illness worsened rapidly. George even took leave from the mill to stay by her side, administering injections himself. When his time off ended, he had to return to work, and, during his shifts, Lily tended to her mother after schoolfeeding, washing her, exhausted as she was.
One day Harriet came round.
George, my washing machines up the spout. Can you take a look? I know youre good with these things.
All right, Ill drop by after work, he promised, and next evening fixed the machine.
As he was leaving, he said, Couldnt you visit us now and then, so Lily isnt left alone with Alice? Shes only fifteen, and it’s hard on her, both physically and otherwise, while Im out. Even an adult would struggle with this, let alone a child. Some nights, she sits by Alice when I’m on the night shift. Alice did nearly raise your Anthony herselffor nearly ten years, and she even fought to save your flat when your husband tried to take it from you during your divorce.
And are we to dig up what happened a hundred years ago? Harriet scoffed. Anthony is seventeen nowI married before you, remember? Yes, your Alice helped with my son when I was away for workbut I gave her a gold ring for that.
Yes, and Alice gave it right back to you, which you were more than happy to accept.
Well, if she didnt want it, I took it back. Anyway, its one thing to mind a healthy child, quite another to nurse a dying woman. I want nothing to do with it, Harriet retorted coldly, not even saying thank you as she closed the door.
George was more saddened than offended by his sisters callousness. Dont come to me for help againyour heart is made of stone, he murmured.
He scarcely thought of Harriet again. Alice faded quickly. That day, Lily saw her father through the window as he came home and hurried to greet him.
Dad, Daddy, Mums so poorly she wont eat, just turned her face to the wall, hasnt spoken a word. I tried to give her her medicine and some water, but
Its all right, my love, well manage. We always do.
But that very night, Alice died. Both father and daughter sobbednow it was just the two of them. Oddly, after the funeral, George felt a small measure of relief. Alice no longer suffered, and Lily need not witness the pain any longer. Of course, he missed his wife dearly, but that terrible illness had not only stolen his beloved, it had exhausted both him and Lily to the bone.
After Alices funeral, the house felt desolate. George missed Alices gaze, her laughter and her carethose memories clung to him, refusing to let go. He felt utterly lost without her. Lily, though grieving, made an effort to comfort her father.
Dad, we did all we could. Mums gone and we have to accept it. Shes free from pain now, truly at peace. And well get used to it, bit by bit. The most important thing is, we have each other.
George realised then how much Lily had grown. Youre so grown up, my girl, he marvelled. This sorrow has made you wise beyond your years.
Lily did everything she could to support her father; George too made every effort to hurry home from work each nightknowing Lily would be waiting, perhaps with a simple supper shed made herself, eager to tell each other of their day.
One evening, as George came in, Lily told him, Dad, I came home after school and Aunt Harriet slipped in behind me before I could shut the door. She said she wanted to collect Mums old fur coat and a few other things. She claimed you knew about it.
I didnt give her anything; she left in a huff, Lily finished.
Love, I never gave her permission, and next time, be careful. Lock the door as soon as you get home. Shes got no business here.
It was at work when Georges heart seized up with a sharp painbreathless, turned white as a ghost, and fainted dead away. His colleague called for an ambulance and he was taken to hospital. Lily ran in, tears streaming, but the doctor reassured her, Dont worry, your fathers come roundit was a warning sign, but he needs treatment.
All the worries then fell to Lily: house, school, hospital visits, and so much more. She rushed about day in, day out, carving out what time she could. She even prepared meals to take to her father in hospital. One day Harriet appeared, bringing a pie.
Lily, Ive baked this for your father. How is he faring in hospital? Id rather not visit him myselfyou know he cant stand me. Do pass this on to him, would you? Just dont mention I made it.
All right, Aunt Harriet, thank you, said Lily as Harriet left.
A quarter of an hour later, Anthony came in, having left his house keys at home. Couldnt get in, so thought Id come by yours. Blimey, Lily, did you bake that pie yourself?
No, I cant bakeyour mum brought it for my dad in hospital. Can I slice you a piece? It’s big for just Dad.
Anthony tucked in, and Lily poured him a cup of tea. They then decided to visit George together. As they approached the hospital, Anthonys face turned deathly pale, a sheen of sweat on his forehead as he clung to the rail outside, and then collapsed. Thankfully, they were at the hospital already.
It turned out Anthony had some poisonous substance in his blood.
What did he eat? the doctor asked Lily.
That piewe brought it for my dad. Anthonys mum made it for him.
Dont, under any circumstances, give it to your father. Ill need to take it and check into this matter, the doctor said gravely.
Harriet was notified and came running in.
My God, Anthony, whats happened to you? How could this possibly?
He ate the pie, Aunt Harriet. I cut him a piece after school, and now hes ill, Lily explained. Harriets face blanched.
Afterward, the police came for Harriet. It turned out she had laced the pie with poison, intending to harm her brother and gain his house. Lily, she assumed, would soon enter college and live in a hall. Harriet had planned it all for money, but didnt consider her own son might eat that pie.
Once George was discharged, he, Lily, and Anthony visited Harriet in custody.
Forgive me, George, forgive me, AnthonyLily, my dear, please, forgive meI see what I have done, forgive me for Gods sake, Harriet sobbed.
George withdrew his complaint, and in time, Harriet was released. But Anthony could not forgive his mother, and relations between them soured. He spent more time with George and Lily.
Uncle George, Ill never forgive my mother. I hate herhow could she?
Anthony, we dont choose our parents. What she did was terribly wrong, true, but she genuinely regrets it. Every man makes mistakes. Give her a chanceshe suffers for it.
Gradually, life steadied. Anthony got into university; Lily finished school and planned her own studies, though she hated the thought of leaving her father alone.
Its all right, love, you must study, must make a life for yourself. Ill get by. We shall live for each otheryoull visit for holidays, and weekends. Your mum so dearly wished youd go to the teachers college.
And so it was. Through misfortune and forgiveness, sorrow and hope, father and daughter held closeknowing, as long as they had each other, they could weather anything.
