Mary Thompson walked through the rain, her tears running down her cheeks, blending with the raindrops.
At least its raining! she thought bitterly. No one can see me cry.
But she kept thinking: Its my own fault! I dropped by at the worst moment. Always the uninvited guest.
So she walked on, crying. Then, suddenly, she started laughing, remembering an old joke where the son-in-law says to his mother-in-law: Oh, youre not even staying for a cuppa?
Now, here she was, just like that mother-in-law.
She laughed and cried, cried and laughed, right there in the street.
When she returned home, she peeled off her soggy clothes and wrapped herself in her favourite tartan blanket. This time, Mary wept openly, not caring. There was no one to hear her except Goldie, her pet goldfish, swimming lazy circles in her round bowl.
No one.
Mary Thompson was an attractive woman with plenty of admirers in her day. But it just never worked out with Jack, her son Olivers father. He drank at first it was bearable, a couple of pints and to bed. But then the jealousy crept in. He suspected her of everything the man on the street asking for directions, the butcher at the market, the elderly gent next door, the neighbour over the garden fence.
One day, she smiled and greeted their neighbour, and Jack simply lost it.
He beat her, and he did it methodically and viciously bruising her kidneys, all in front of a young Oliver.
Oliver later told his grandparents everything. Marys mother wept,
Is this what I raised my daughter for, to be hit by some drunken beast?
Her father, without a word, put his coat on and left. He found Jack and turfed him out of the flat and Jack managed to break his arm on the way down from the fourth floor.
Marys father shook his fist and warned him: Come near my Mary again and Ill do worse. Prison wont stop me making sure you never trouble her life again!
And Jack truly vanished forever. Mary never did marry again. She had Oliver to raise. No sense risking it with another man.
A few men tried to court her, but she simply couldnt bring herself to try again. Shed had her fill with Olivers father.
She didnt have much in the way of financial problems she was a skilled catering manager and worked in a cosy little restaurant. She couldnt complain about her work or life.
She put money aside bit by bit for a flat. When she finally had enough, Oliver announced his engagement a lovely girl called Emily.
Mary gave them a lovely wedding and handed over the keys to the new two-bedroom flat. After all, they were family and needed it more than she did!
Now she was busy saving for the children for a new car.
How much longer were they going to trundle around in that ancient banger?
She hadnt even planned on dropping by her sons place that day. She didnt believe in foisting herself on them. But, caught nearby when the heavens suddenly opened, she thought shed wait out the storm with Emily, gossip a little, and have a proper natter over a cup of tea.
Emily opened the door and stared at her mother-in-law in shock. She didnt even offer her inside. From the chilly doorway, Emily asked,
Mrs Thompson, did you need something?
Mary fumbled, flustered and apologising,
Well its just, the rain
The rains over now! Its not far, youll manage, Emily responded briskly, arms folded as she peered out the window.
Yes, of course, Mary muttered meekly, blinking back tears as she stepped back into the relentless rain.
She walked, sobbing, until finally she fell asleep at home.
That night, she dreamed of Goldie, now a giant, mouthing words she could somehow understand.
Crying?! Silly woman! They wouldnt even give you tea on a rainy day! Yet youre saving for them for their car! When will you stop living for others? Just look at yourself! Smart, lovely, financially secure. So what if youre saving for their car? They dont appreciate it. Why dont you take some of that money and treat yourself to the seaside? Live a little, for you!
Mary woke to darkness, Goldie still swimming, opening her mouth silently. But Mary could no longer make out her language. Yet shed grasped the most important thing: you cant keep sacrificing yourself for people who dont care or show respect. Especially those who cant even offer you a hot cup of tea or a spot to dry off.
So Mary gathered the money shed saved for the kids car, booked herself a holiday by the sea, and went. She came back bronzed, beautiful, and renewed.
Oliver and Emily didnt notice her absence; after all, they only came around or rang when they needed cash or a babysitter.
Mary stopped shying away from men and soon caught the eye of Andrew, the suave manager of her restaurant. Hed fancied her for ages, but shed always been too caught up with her son and daughter-in-law. Now, though, things just seemed to fall into place. They commuted together, worked together, and soon, her life blossomed into something altogether new and joyful.
A week ago, Emily popped by.
Why dont you visit us anymore, Mrs Thompson? Or call? Olivers seen a car he quite likes her voice trailed suggestively.
Emily, was there something you wanted? Mary asked, folding her arms across her chest.
Before Emily could respond, Andrew appeared from the lounge:
Mary, shall I put the kettle on?
Yes, please! said Mary with a bright smile.
And do invite our guest, Andrew chimed in hospitably.
Mary turned to Emily and said,
Oh, Emily was just leaving. She doesnt drink tea, do you, Emily?
She closed the door behind her daughter-in-law, chuckled, and winked at Goldie.
And for once in my life, I realised: living only for others leads nowhere its time, at last, to live a little for myself.
Antonia Parker Walked Through the Rain, Her Tears Mixing with the Drops—Nobody Saw Her Crying. It Wa…
