“Oh, Emily, hello! Have you come to see your mum?” called Mrs. Thompson from her balcony.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Thompson. Yes, Im 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 struggling with sleep, waking up early. One morning, around five, I saw her getting out of a taxi. And she looked well, put it this way, not her usual self. Maybe even a bit tipsy. All the neighbours are whispering. At her age! And why did she throw your father out? Yes, he messed up, but who doesnt have flaws? So many years togetherits madness to divorce now.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Thompson,” Emily said stiffly, swallowing hard. “Ill speak to her.”
With that, she hurried inside. Her mother *had* kicked her father out six months ago after catching him cheating. Emily had begged her to reconsiderthings could be worked out. But her mother had been firm. And strangest of all, she hadnt fallen into depression as expectedinstead, she was full of life. New clothes, dancing, nights out with friendsthings shed never done before.
Emily struggled to accept it. She herself was engaged, planning a family. But her motherout at bars till dawn? What kind of grandmother would that be? How could she introduce her to her future mother-in-law, when one knitted blankets and the other danced in nightclubs?
When she stepped inside, her mother greeted her with a teapot in hand and a bright smile. She wasnt wearing a worn-out dressing gown but a stylish beige suit. Manicured nails, pedicure, false lashesclearly, she was enjoying herself.
“So, hows William?” she asked, setting the cups on the table.
“Everythings fine,” Emily replied, keeping her voice steady. “But what about you?”
“Wonderful! Last night, the girls and I stayed out till morning at a cocktail bar. We danced, then did karaoke. Such fun!”
“Mrs. Thompson told me everything,” Emily said darkly. “That you came home at five in the morning and seemed drunk.”
Her mother laughed. “Well, what did you expect? You dont sip tea at a bar!”
Emily couldnt hold back. “Mum, dont you think youre overdoing it?”
“In what way?”
“Lets just say, youre not twenty anymore. Whats with the dancing and clubs? Youre supposed to be setting an example. Youll be a grandmother!”
“Im a woman whos finally free. I wont live by other peoples scripts.”
“But you lived with Dad for all those years! How can you move on so easily?”
Her mother paused, then calmly said, “Your father betrayed me. It wasnt a mistakeit was a choice. And I refuse to just be a housewife anymore. I want to *live*. For myself. I spent years putting my family first. Now, I do what I want.”
“But youre almost fifty!”
“So? Age doesnt mean I have to fade away 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, and maybe even flirt. I feel alive.”
“No, Mum, I want you there. Its just”
“Just because Auntie Thompson disapproves? Well, I dont care. Im finally living.”
At home, Emily told her fiancé everything. “I dont know how to feel.”
William laughed. “I think your mums brilliant. She didnt collapseshe chose life. Theres no crime in being happy.”
That weekend, Emily called her mother. “Mum, lets go to a spa, then a jazz bar?”
“Wont you be embarrassed?”
“Ill tell them youre my older sister,” Emily teased.
“Deal. But dont expect an early night.”
That day changed everything. For the first time, Emily saw the strength her mother hadand realised maybe she could learn from it. To live not by “should,” but by her own heart.
