Linda walked slowly down the street, feeling utterly betrayed by those closest to her. She had always considered him like a son, but it turned out he had been hiding his true intentions. That old saying about carrying a stone in one’s bosom came to mind, though she always disliked clichés. Linda tended to see the good in people, believing it wasn’t them who were bad, just their actions. It was these actions that caused those they loved to suffer.
Her marriage to Edward was her second attempt. Her first had been a disaster, leaving her reeling for a long time. She even swore she’d never marry again. But, as time passed, everything changed.
Linda had worked alongside Edward for many years. He had been married to her best friend. When Linda was struggling with her irresponsible first husband, they were there for her. Everyone knew her story. When Valerie fell ill, it was Linda’s turn to lend a hand. She raised funds for Valerie’s surgery, as well as cooked, cleaned, and did the laundry while her friend stayed in the hospital. Yet, it was all in vain, as Valerie passed away.
After his wife’s death, Edward was at a loss. Linda took charge of the funeral arrangements and later helped raise little Tom. When the first anniversary of Valerie’s death came around, Edward casually suggested:
“Why don’t you stay with us?”
Linda agreed, recognizing that Tom needed a mother figure. After all, a stepmother naturally wouldn’t love another’s child as much. Whether it was love or simply habit, they soon formed a happy, close-knit family. Tom started calling Linda “Mum,” but she gently stopped him:
“You have your mum, Valerie. Never forget her.”
They combined their two small flats into one large one and, as was customary, registered it under the head of the family. Edward had suggested they formalize their relationship a few times, but Linda always dismissed the idea. “Why would we need to? We aren’t planning on more children, are we? Isn’t Tom more than enough responsibility?” Despite being a good-natured boy, Tom was a handful. His nursery teachers often complained, and once he started school, calls home were a daily occurrence. Edward would get upset, scolding and even attempting to punish Tom.
Linda, however, stood up for him:
“Remember how you were as a kid. I’m sure you weren’t an angel either,” she’d say, making Edward smile at the memory.
“Yes, but should everyone be unruly just because I was? You know how my father disciplined me…”
“Did it make you better?”
“Not really, but still. How do you teach what’s right and wrong?”
It pained Linda to think about when things changed. She might never have known if Edward hadn’t died. His death seemed utterly absurd; no one should pass away at forty-five from a sudden clot. If he had been ill, they could have prepared, allowing time for a will. But his death was so unexpected that it felt as if she had died along with him.
Now an adult, Tom was at university and dating. Linda never expected anything bad from him. Yet, after the funeral, he and his grandmother arrived in the evening. It seemed he needed her support. He said:
“The flat belongs to Gran and me. You’re nobody here. You have a month to move out.”
Linda was speechless, shocked by his words. But if the son she’d raised could treat her as a stray dog, then maybe she had been a terrible mother all along. Perhaps her life had been in vain. She deserved this. But what now? Where would she go? How would she live? Could she really start all over again?
Two weeks had passed since Tom’s visit, and Linda still didn’t have a plan. She was too ashamed to confide in anyone. She had boasted proudly of him, of his achievements, how he got into university by himself, and how wonderful his girlfriend was. But now? He wasn’t her son. He didn’t need her. There seemed no place for her in his life.
Linda tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The doorbell rang. Reluctantly, she pulled on her robe and slippers and went to answer. Edward had often urged her to check who was there first, but she believed in people, trusting that nothing bad would happen to her. Tom stood at the door.
“Mum Linda, I’m so sorry. It was Gran,” he said, tears in his eyes. “She said you’d take everything, bring another man here, and leave me with nothing. I don’t know how it happened. Stay here as long as you like, even forever. This is your home. I want things to be like they were. I want my mum.” Linda cried as Tom wiped her tears.
“Why didn’t you use your key?” she asked.
“I didn’t want to intrude on your life.”
“Silly boy, what life do I have without you?”
They stood there, tearfully looking at each other, until Linda gathered herself first.
“Why are we standing here? Let’s have some tea.”
“Yes, there’s so much I need to tell you!”
