Good afternoon, ladies. What are we gossiping about today? I asked, already in a cheerful mood as I walked into the sitting room. Move over, I want to catch the news. Youll never hear anything like this on the telly, I guarantee it. The women laughed and made room for me on the sofa.
Where have you been? my aunt inquired. I was at the shops. Had a bit of bad luck my wifes left me
The old woman gasped, Really, son?
Shes gone to my mate. Said Im not a proper man if I dont work.
My aunt was taken aback. But isnt he out of work too? Whats the difference between you two then?
I shook my head. No clue.
I left the room, and my aunt sighed, Here come the men! Not a thing to do, but they want to live off a womans back. And Robert What a gentleman he used to be! Handsome, too! But once his wife and child abandoned him, everything changed. And his friend? He was the first landowner in the village! And Mary, what a brilliant cook she is! Well, her husband walked out, so she lives for your children. But no, she goes from one to another, waiting for something from them. And what is it they offer?
Not to put up a fence or paint the walls, mind you No, they compete amongst themselves. Whats happening in the village now? Men used to go for walks, but they were hardworking. Nowadays? No job, no family! Others pack up and leave the village. Of course, they do searching for a better life.
And dont get me started, added the old woman, my children have scattered far and wide. They only visit every six months. I see my grandchildren in photos. We used to all live togetherparents, children And everyone was happy, singing and chatting until late. Wed gather to make haythe whole family and neighbours, or dig the garden. Do it in a day, stay till evening, then off to work again the next morning. Now everyone keeps to their own little farm.
Mary passed by at that moment, carrying heavy bags, her two children trailing after her.
Are you moving somewhere? her aunt asked. Mary gave a heavy sigh.
Yes, to Michaels. What else can I do? At least he gets a pension. And Robert? He does nothing. I have to get my children settled; I havent any money. We couldnt live off child benefits. Otherwise, Id have left ages ago. I think Ill head for town in the spring. Buy a small house, just for us, no men. Im tired of relying on them. They wont do anything unless you press them. But theyre hungry, arent they? Ive got nothing left for this village. My eldest will be off to school soon. Wholl take him? My daughter will start nursery. And Ill find a job. Its hard to leave; I was born and raised here. But leave I must. Anyway, I should gootherwise Michael will come searching for me all over the village. Goodbye, ladies, said Mary. She picked up her bags and left.
I think she was right. Marys still young, and shes got children to raise. Id do the same in her shoes. Now, where should I go? It hurts to leave the house. My late husband built it, thought our children would live here with us. Once, I went mushrooming and got lost. Folks used to wander the footpaths, but now everythings overgrown. Still, we live our lives here. At least they bring a pension into the house. Im off, my aunt said, rising from her chair. The farm wont waitmust milk the cows and feed the hens. See you tomorrow.
The old woman sat alone for a while, remembering how shed lived, how shed raised her children. The years had slipped by. Only God knows how many were left. As soon as it got dark, she went indoors. Didnt even bother turning on the lightwent straight to bed. She didnt need it. Granny hadnt seen anything in three years.
Mary never did leave the village. She stayed. She didnt dare change her life. As long as there are people, the village survives. Many of these villages are empty nowonly old houses and the cemetery remain, and people visit just once a year.
