After turning seventy, she felt unwanted by everyone. Not even her son or daughter had wished her a happy birthday.
Margaret sat quietly on a bench in the hospital garden, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Today she turned seventy, yet not a single word of congratulations from her own children. Only her roommate had remembered, offering a modest gift. Nurse Emily brought her an apple to mark the occasion. The hospital itself was decent, but the staff seemed indifferent.
It was clear to everyone: when the elderly become a burden, their families would leave them here. Margarets son was the one who brought her, telling her she needed a rest and to recover her health, but truthfully, she was simply in the way of his wife.
She used to own her own flat, but her son had pressured her into signing it over to him. Before she signed all the documents, hed reassured her that she would carry on living in the home as she always had. But soon enough, the whole family moved in, and before long, Margaret and her daughter-in-law were constantly at odds.
Her daughter-in-law always found something to criticise: the soup was bland, water had pooled in the bathroom, some complaint every day. At first, her son would side with her, but eventually he started snapping at his mother, too. Margaret began to notice her son and his wife whispering to each other behind closed doors.
Then, one day, her son began to suggest that a bit of rest and recuperation would do her good. She looked into his eyes and asked, So youve decided, havent you, to put me into a care home?
Her son blushed and looked away. Mum, why are you saying that? Its really just a convalescent home. Go for a month, get some rest, and then come back home.
He brought her here, signed some papers, promised hed return soonand left. Shes been here ever sincetwo years now.
She tried to ring her son, but a strange man answered and told her her son had sold the flat. Now, she didnt even know where he lived. At first, she cried herself to sleep most nights, because shed always known, deep down, she wouldnt be allowed to go home. The pain stung all the more because shed harmed her daughter, all for her sons sake.
Margaret grew up in the countryside. Theyd had a big house and ran a smallholding. One day, a neighbour came round to talk to her husband, saying life in the city was far better: nicer wages, proper flats.
Her husband was keen, sold Margaret on the idea, and soon they had sold up and moved to a city. The neighbour was right; a flat was arranged quickly, they slowly bought furniture, and even an old carwhich her husband soon crashed.
Margaret’s husband passed away from his injuries the next day. Left alone with two children, she worked herself to the bone, even scrubbing communal hallways in the evenings to make ends meet. All the while, she hoped her children would one day help to look after herbut that never happened.
Her son soon got into trouble, and Margaret had to borrow a hefty sum of moneyhundreds of poundsto keep him out of prison. Not long after, her daughter married and had a son of her own. At first, all was well, until her grandson fell ill. Her daughter gave up work to care for the child, but the doctors couldnt work out what was wrong.
Later, her grandson was finally diagnosed, and only one hospital in England could offer the treatment he needed. The waiting list was endless. As her daughter fought for her sons health, her daughters husband left her. It was then that her daughter met a widower in the hospital, whose own daughter was suffering from the same illness.
They moved in together. Four years later, this man needed money for an expensive operation. Margaret had the savings, set aside as a deposit for a flat for her son.
When her daughter asked for a loan, Margaret refused, not wanting to spend her savings on someone she barely knew. Her daughter was furious and said she no longer had a mother. They hadnt spoken in eleven years.
Margaret rose slowly from the bench, making her way back to the care home. Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice behind her.
Mum!
Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest. She turned, and there stood her daughter. Margarets knees buckled, and she nearly fell, but her daughter caught her.
Ive been searching for you for so long, Mum. My brother refused to give me your address. He only told me when I threatened him with legal action, after the flat was sold without your permission.
Mum, Im sorry its taken me so long to come. At first I was angry, then I kept putting it off, and in the end, I was just so ashamed. A few weeks ago I dreamt of you, lost and weeping in a forest.
When I woke up, I couldnt shake the feeling. I told my husband, and he said I should make peace with you at last. When I got to your old flat, strangers were living there whod never met you. It took ages to track down my brother. We have a big house on the coast now. My husband wants you to come with us.
Margaret pulled her daughter close, and weptbut this time, tears of joy rolled down her face.
