“Oh, Emily, hello! Come to see your mum, have you?” called Mrs. Johnson from her balcony.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Johnson. Yes, just visiting Mum.”
“You might want to have a word with her,” the woman sighed. “Shes been completely different since the divorce, poor thing.”
“What do you mean?” Emily tensed.
“Ive been having trouble sleeping, waking up early. Saw her one morning around five, climbing out of a cab. And she looked well, lets just say, not her usual self. Maybe even a bit tipsy. The whole neighbourhoods whispering. At her age! And why did she kick your dad out? Yes, he messed up, but who doesnt have flaws? All those years togetherseems daft to divorce now.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Johnson,” Emily said, swallowing hard. “Ill talk to her.”
With that, she hurried inside. Her mother had indeed thrown her father out six months ago after catching him cheating. Emily had begged her not to rushanything could be worked out. But her mother had stood firm. And the strangest part? She hadnt sunk into depression, as expected. Instead, she was livelier than evernew clothes, dancing, nights out with friends, things shed never done before.
Emily struggled to accept it. She was about to marry, planning children. And her motherout clubbing till dawn? What kind of grandmother would she be? How could she introduce her to her future mother-in-law, when one knitted blankets and the other danced the night away?
When she stepped inside, her mother greeted her with a teapot in hand and a bright smile. No worn-out dressing gowninstead, a stylish beige trouser suit. Manicured nails, pedicure, false lashesclearly, she was enjoying life.
“So, hows James?” her mother asked, setting out the cups.
“Everythings fine,” Emily replied, keeping her voice steady. “But what about you?”
“Brilliant! Last night, the girls and I stayed out till morning. Dancing, then karaoke. Such a laugh!”
“Mrs. Johnson told me everything,” Emily said darkly. “That you came back at five in the morning and looked drunk.”
Her mother laughed. “Well, what did you expect? Sipping tea at a bar?”
Emily couldnt hold back. “Mum, dont you think youre overdoing it?”
“In what way?”
“Well, to put it lightly, youre not twenty anymore. Whats with the dancing and clubs? Youre supposed to set an example. Youll be a grandmother!”
“Im a woman whos finally free. I wont live by other peoples scripts.”
“But you spent years with Dad! How can you move on so easily?”
Her mother fell silent, then calmly but firmly said, “Your father betrayed me. It wasnt a mistakeit was a choice. And I refuse to just be a servant anymore. I want to live. For myself. I spent years for the family. Now I do what I want.”
“Youre nearly fifty!”
“So? I dont have to age on schedule.”
Emily realised shed gone too far. “Sorry, I didnt mean to upset you. I just care.”
“If youre ashamed of me, dont invite me to the wedding. But know thisI wont hide my grey hair under a scarf or wear frumpy dresses. Ill dance, maybe even flirt. I feel good.”
“No, Mum, I want you there. Its just”
“Just Auntie Johnson doesnt approve? Well, I dont care. Im finally living.”
When she got home, she told James everything.
“I dont know how to feel about it.”
James laughed. “I think your mums brilliant. She didnt wallowshe chose life. No crime in being happy.”
That weekend, Emily called her mother.
“Mum, fancy a spa day, then a bar with live music?”
“Wont you be embarrassed?”
“Ill tell them youre my older sister,” Emily chuckled.
“Deal. But dont expect an early night.”
That day was a turning point. For the first time, Emily understood the strength her mother had. And maybejust maybeshe could learn from her. To be herself. To live not “as she should,” but as she felt.
