Helen has just got back from the shops and started putting away the groceries. Suddenly, she hears a strange noise coming from her sons and daughter-in-laws room, so she decides to take a look.
Beth, where are you going? Helen asks, surprised to see her daughter-in-law packing a suitcase.
Im leaving! Beth replies, tears streaming down her face.
What do you mean, youre leaving? Where? Whats happened? Helen asks, taken aback.
Without a word, Beth hands her a letter. Helen opens it and stands there frozen as she reads it.
Jack brought his bride Beth to his village, into his childhood home. His mother, Helen, was delighted: her son, now well past thirty, had finally settled down. Hed had his fun, wandered about, but now hes come home, and she has someone to help her in her old age.
The house is comfortable, everything in orderHelens the lady of the house now. Her husband is gone, but he left her a solid home and a good bit of land. He did everything he could for the family. Jack is her only son; Helen couldnt carry another child after him, and eventually couldnt conceive at all. Hard farm work, endless daily chores without rest or holiday, took its toll. In the end, her husband fell ill. Helen cared for him for three years, but it was in vain. During that time, Helen learned how to handle the tractor and look after the fields on her own.
Beth was youngten years younger than Jack, Helen reckons. Delicate, full of life. Helen remembers how she herself was when newly married, with just a small suitcase, hardly any clothes. But the son made his choice, and whats more, Beths an orphan. Perhaps for the best.
All the girls in the village were jealous of Bethshed landed the wealthy, handsome bachelor. Theyd all tried to win over Jack, even after hed married, but he wasnt interested. Hed rush home from work to see his wife and his children. Beth gave birth to two boys and a daughter.
When their youngest turned five and the eldest ten, Jack decided, along with a friend, to head off to London for better wages.
Dont we have enough, Jack? his mother pleaded. Weve plenty to eat, you both have wages, theres my pension. And wholl mind the farm then? Im not as strong as I used to be.
Im sick of the farm, Mum! Ill get a job in the city and bring the family over. The kids need proper schools. Besides, we ought to sell the house; its time. Youll come with us.
The village schools just down the lane, Beth tried to reason with him.
Youre a city girl, after all. So, well all move to the city.
My childhood was in a London orphanagethats all the city I remember. And what about your mum? Shes getting on, she needs help now. How would we cope in London with three kids? Beth quietly brushed away a tear.
Thats enough! Its settled. And tidy yourself up a bitits hard looking at you like that. Always tired and worn out.
Beth and Helen got along well. Helen saw herself in Beththe same struggles, the same worries. And when the grandkids came, Helen took extra care of Beth, sometimes treating her like a daughter. Beth grew fond of Helen too, soon calling her Mum.
Beth started to cry.
If hes going, let him! Well manage, Helen said.
Jack left, wrote lettersthere were no mobiles yet. He returned after six months, brought presents, left some money, and then disappeared again. His mate had come home, but once his wife let slip to Helen that Jack had shacked up with a wealthy woman theyd done some renovations for. Hed stopped working and was living with her. Helen said nothing to Bethmaybe it was a misunderstanding. But gossip spreads quickly in small villages.
One day Beth became very quiet, started gathering her things.
Where are you off to?
Beth silently handed her a noteit was more a scrawl than a letter.
Beth, Im sorry, Ive moved on. The house will come to me after Mums gone. Best you move on too, start afresh with the kids. Heres some money to get you going. From now on, youre on your own. Jack.
Hes made his bed. Im not letting you or the kids go anywhere. I couldnt live without you. He can try all he likeshes not going to chase you out. I wont allow it, Helen insisted.
Then, one day, Jack arrived in a flashy new car, new wife in tow. He wasnt expecting to find the kids at home. His own mother hadnt bothered telling him they were there. His daughter, now twelve, flung herself at her father and burst into tears. The eldest son came over too. Jack tried to hug him, but the boy just took his sisters hand and led her away. The middle child followed suit.
Hes not a dad, hes a traitor. Come on, back to work, the eldest muttered.
Jack quietly watched his son drive the tractor out to plough the potato field behind the house. His two other children were feeding rabbits theyd started breeding since hed left. The place hadnt shrunkif anything, the farm had expanded. He hadnt seen his kids grow up.
And their mumshe’s gone off and left them, has she? Left you to cope? he asked his mother.
Dont judge by your own standards. Her names Bethforgotten, have you? Shell be back from work soon. And what brings you and your wife to honour us with your presence?
We need a chat.
Well, get to it then, say your piece before Beth comes back.
Were here to take you with us.
I thought maybe youd want the children.
Their mothers alive. Youre better off living near your son. Sell up, take the farm money, and well buy you a place nearby. Youll have enough.
And the children? What about them? Why are you silent?
Beth and the kids can rent. There are more opportunities in London.
Plenty of opportunities, but they dont want them. Otherwise theyd have gone ages ago.
Weve told you. Weve already found a buyer, but you’ll need to decide quickly.
Theres no point in me thinking it over. This isn’t my home.
Oh, Mum, dont talk like that!
Just then, Beth came home.
Well, isnt this a surprise, she said.
Over the years since Jack last saw Beth, she had flourisheda pretty new haircut, earrings Helen had given her, smart new clothes. Nothing left of the old, worn Beth. Real beauty, not a patch on his new wife. Jack couldnt help staring until his current wife nudged him.
Come on, Mum, why isnt the kettle on? We have a special guest, Beth said with a sly smile.
Well, your guest has what he came for. Its time to leave. Thank you for visiting your mother, Jack. And goodbye, madam, Helen replied coolly. Hopefully, well never meet again.
Heres my number, Mum. If you change your mind, call me, Jack said, placing a slip of paper on the table before leaving.
Jack only returned once more, for a final farewell. Beth rang himhe was still her son. By then, the children were grown, the eldest now had kids of his own. They spoke to Jack as if to a stranger. His daughter wouldnt speak to him at all.
Beth, the children are adults, but the house is mine. Ive every right. Ive divorced, and Im moving back. Stay if you like. If not, I wont stop you, Jack announced.
Without a word, Beth took some documents from the bureau. Helen had signed the house over to her long agoright after Jack had sent that letter. Jack left in silence. Beth didnt try to stop himthere was nothing left between them but the children, and now, grandchildren.
