After his wife and closest friends betrayed him, a once-wealthy man returned to his hometown. At his mothers grave, he froze in shock.
Edward stopped the car. How many times had he meant to visit, yet never found the time? In life, he had been absent for his motherand in death, he had failed her too. The shame of it twisted inside him. It would have taken so littlejust a shaketo make him see the hollow world he had built. None of it meant anything. In a strange way, he even felt gratitude toward his ex-wife, Victoria, for tearing the illusion apart.
Everything had crumbled at once. His picture-perfect marriage, his friendshipsall lies. His wife and his best friend had betrayed him, while others who knew stayed silent. It was utter ruin. Everyone he trusted had turned against him. After the divorce, Edward went back to the small town he had left behind. Eight years had passed since his mothers funeral, and not once in all that time had he visited her grave. Only now did he realizeshe had been the one person who would never betray him.
He had married late, at thirty-three, while Victoria was twenty-five. How proud he had been to have her beside himelegant, refined. Later, when she screamed in his face that she had hated every moment of their marriage, that intimacy with him had been torture, he saw how blind he had been. Her face, twisted with rage, seemed monstrous. Yet he had almost believed her when she sobbed, begging forgiveness, claiming he was always absent.
But when he stood firm on the divorce, she showed her true self. Edward stepped out of the car, lifting a large bouquet. He walked slowly down the cemetery path. After so many years, it must be overgrown. He hadnt even come when the headstone was placedeverything arranged remotely, as if life itself could slip by untouched.
To his surprise, the grave was immaculateno weeds, the stone polished. Someone had tended it. Who? An old friend of his mothers, perhaps. Still alive, unlike her son, who had never found the time. He unlatched the gate. Hello, Mum, he whispered. His throat tightened, tears pricking his eyes before spilling over.
Edwardthe hardened businessman who never criednow wept like a child. And he let the tears fall. They washed something clean inside him, carrying away the bitterness of Victoria and all the rest. As if his mother were stroking his hair, whispering, *Hush now. It will be alright.* He sat in silence, speaking to her in his thoughts. He remembered skinned knees, her dabbing iodine on the cuts, blowing gently. *All my boys scraped their knees. They heal.* And they did. Each time, the pain was easier to bear.
*You grow used to most thingsbut never to betrayal,* she had said. Now he understood the weight of those words. What had seemed simple wisdom then was profound truth. She had raised him alone without coddling him, and he had turned out well.
Time slipped away unnoticed. He felt a quiet calm. He decided to stay in town a few daysthere was the matter of his mothers house. He could afford to pay someone to keep it up, but how much longer would it stand empty? A faint smile crossed his lips as he remembered meeting the neighbors daughter. When he had arranged for the house to be watched, he had met Emily. He had been broken then, bitter. Emily had been kind. They talked one evening, and things happened without intent. By morning, he was gone, leaving only a note about where to leave the key.
To Emily, he might have seemed callous. But he had promised nothing. It had been mutual. She had come to her mothers after leaving an abusive husband. She told him as much. Both of them were hurting. And so it happened. Just like that.
Mister, could you help me? A childs voice startled him. Turning, he saw a girl of seven or eight holding an empty bucket.
I need water for the flowers. Mum and I just planted them, but shes poorly today. Its so hottheyll wilt. The taps close, but the buckets too heavy. I dont want her to know I came alone. If I carry little bits, itll take ages, and shell guess.
Edward smiled. Of course. Show me.
The girl chattered as they walked. Within minutes, he knew everythinghow she had warned her mother not to drink cold water in the heat, how her mother had fallen ill. Lily had come to her grandmothers grave, the one who died a year ago. *Gran wouldve scolded Mum, and she wouldnt be sick now.* Lily was in school, top of her class, aiming for top marks.
Edward felt lighter. Children were so pure. He realized nowhe would have been happy with a simple, loving wife and a child waiting for him at home. Victoria had been like a porcelain doll, disdainful of motherhood. *Only a fool ruins her figure for a squalling baby,* she had said. They had been married five years. Not a single warm memory remained.
He set the bucket down in the plot, and Lily carefully watered the flowers. Edward glanced at the headstoneand froze. The photograph was of the neighbor he had paid to watch the house. Emilys mother. He looked at the girl. Was Margaret your grandmother?
Yes. Did you know her?
Why do you ask? You were at Grans grave. Mum and I always tidy it and bring flowers.
You and your mother? Edward frowned.
Yes. Didnt I say? She doesnt let me come alone.
The girl picked up the bucket. Id better go. Shell worry, ask questions, and Im rubbish at lying.
Waitlet me drive you.
Lily shook her head. Im not allowed in cars with strangers. Dont want to upset Mumshes poorly. She dashed off.
Edward returned to his mothers grave, sitting in thought. *Somethings odd. Emily didnt live hereshe came to her mothers temporarily. But now it seems she stayed. And she has a daughter.* He hadnt known Emily had a child. *But how old is Lily? Maybe she married, had her afterward.*
After a while, he stood. Likely, Emily tended the house now, and he was paying her. Not that it mattered.
At the house, his heart clenched. Nothing had changed. Any moment, his mother might step onto the porch, wiping tears with her apron before hugging him. He sat in the car a long time. She didnt come.
Inside, the house gleamedspotless, fresh, as if someone lived there and had just stepped out. He sat at the table, then rose quickly. Best to settle things with the neighbor first.
Lily opened the door. Oh, its you! She pressed a finger to her lips. Dont tell Mum about the cemetery, all right?
Edward mimed locking his mouth, and she giggled.
Come in, Emily called from another room. Im better now, but dont get too closeyou might catch it.
She looked up, startled. You?
Edward smiled. Hello. He glanced around. Wheres your husband? He already sensed the answer.
Edward Im sorry I didnt tell you about your mothers passing. Jobs are scarce here, so Ive been keeping the house up.
Im sorry too, Em. And thank you. Coming back its like Mum just stepped out. Everythings perfect. Are you staying long?
Just a few days.
Thought about selling the house?
Edward shrugged. Havent decided. Em, here He pulled out an envelope. For looking after it so well. A bonus.
A thick stack of notes lay on the table.
Edward, no! I cant.
Lily grinned. Thanks, Uncle Edward! Mum wants a new dress, and Id love a bicycle.
He laughed. Clever girl. Just like hed been at her agemoney never slipped past him.
That evening, he fell illfeverish, weak. He found his mothers old thermometer, took his temperature, and texted Emily: *What do I take for a high fever?*
Ten minutes later, she and Lily were at his door.
Good Lord, why did you go inside? Did I make you sick?
Youre the one whos ill. Dont fuss.
Im fine now.
Emily handed him tablets while Lily brewed tea.
Shell burn herself.
Lily? Never. More likely me. Shes handy at everything.
Edward smiled. Something clicked in his mindclear, sudden. He sat up.
Em.
She tensed. What is it?
When was Lily born?
Emily sank into a chair. Why?
Em?
She turned to Lily. Sweetheart, fetch some lemons and juice from the shop.
Once the girl was gone, Emily
