Parents are always worrying about their children, arent they? Even when the kids grow up, sometimes parents find themselves a bit let down by how things turn out with their adult children. Let me tell you about the grown-up daughters in our story today.
This is Janes story.
Jane raised three children. They all grew up and now live their own lives. Her oldest son has moved abroad, has a family of his own, and a good job. Every so often he sends over photos and postcards at Christmas. Jane carefully saves them all in a shoebox and likes to look through them now and then, feeling a bit nostalgic.
We miss you so much, love. Do you think you could pop over for a visit sometime? Wed love to finally meet your wife and see the grandchildren, she writes to her son.
Her middle daughter, Emily, married a chap in the army, so theyre moving about all the time. Theyre raising a little girl together. Every now and then they manage to visit. Janes husband, Richard, thinks a lot of his son-in-lawEmilys managed to marry a decent bloke.
Her youngest daughter, Claire, doesnt have a family life to speak of. Claire had been married, and shes got a son, but her husband left them. Jane had encouraged Claire to move to London for a fresh start, so Claire did just that, landing a job as a seamstress in a garment factory, taking her boy Jamie along.
Jane decides to go visit Claire.
Will you manage alright without me for a week? Jane asks Richard. I want to go see Claire and check up on how they’re doing.
Richard only sees her off as far as the end of the street. Shes lugging about heavy bags, but Janes determined to do something nice for her youngest. She spends hours stuck on a crowded second-class trainhonestly, a marathon journey. But shes thrilled to see her daughter face-to-face for the first time in years.
Mum, why didnt you call ahead to say you were coming? Im at work right now. I can only pick you up from the station much later this evening.
Sorry, love! I thought Id surprise you! Jane says, chuckling. Are you sure I can just wait here? Yes, yes, its fine. But after a while, Jane cant stand it and decides to find her own way.
She gets to Claires flat and Jamie opens the door. Tall, sturdy, with a look that reminds her so much of his granddad as a young man.
Hello, my lad! Jane says, wrapping him in a big hug. Alright, Gran. Thats enough. He pulls away awkwardly. Why didnt you get here earlier? Claire asks, looking drained. We had to clean up and set the table before you arrived. I came home early from work to cook stew and fry up some pork chops.
Just then, Janes phone ringsRichard again, sounding a bit lost on his end, but Jane assures him alls well, she got some help lugging her bags, and theyre all sitting down to supper, thanks to Claire.
As Claire sets bowls of stew on the table, she asks, Do you want one chop or two? Janes absolutely famished after the journeycould easily eat threebut manages, Oh, just put them on the table, dear, lets see how we go.
In the end, theres a wide plate loaded with five chops, and thats the extent of the party atmosphere for her mothers visit. Jane worries that maybe moneys tight, and decides shell find a way to help them out. Over dinner, Claire almost immediately asks when Janes planning to go back. Jane is hurt, and a bit huffy, says she can leave tomorrow if shes in the way.
Jane spends the next day alone in the flat. By evening, everyone retreats to their rooms, pottering about on their ownJamie slips off to see mates in the next block, Claire goes out for drinks with friends. Jane is left on her own the entire time.
It starts getting to herthe loneliness, feeling out of place, no longer needed. She starts to pack, just as she overhears Jamie asking Claire, Whens Uncle Matt coming? We were supposed to go to that football match.
When Grans gone home, Claire replies.
Deeply hurt, Jane quietly packs up her things and slips out without saying goodbye. Her husband Richard, whos missed her terribly, is over the moon to pick her up from the station. Turns out, despite all those years of warmth and care she poured into her children, they just dont really need her anymore.
