Oh, Emily, hello! Come to see your mum? Mrs. Thompson called from her balcony.
Good afternoon, Mrs. Thompson. Yes, visiting Mum.
You might want to have a word with her, the woman sighed. Shes been different since the divorce, poor thing.
What do you mean? Emily tensed.
Ive been waking up early lately. Saw her one morning around five, stepping out of a cab. And she looked well, lets just say not herself. Maybe even a bit tipsy. The neighbours are talking. At her age! And why did she kick your father out? Yes, he made mistakes, but who doesnt? All those years togetherseems daft to divorce now.
Thank you, Mrs. Thompson, Emily said, forcing a swallow. Ill speak with her.
With that, she hurried inside. Her mother *had* thrown her father out six months ago after catching him cheating. Emily had begged her to think twicebut Mum had been firm. Strangest of all, she hadnt crumbled into grief. Instead, shed come alivenew clothes, dancing, nights out with friends, things shed never done before.
Emily struggled to accept it. She was getting married soon, planning a family. And here was her motherout till dawn? What kind of grandmother would she be? How could she explain it to her future mother-in-law, when one knitted baby blankets and the other danced in nightclubs?
When she stepped inside, her mother greeted her with a teapot in hand and a bright smile. No worn-out dressing gownjust a sleek beige suit. Manicured nails, pedicure, false lashesclearly loving life.
So, hows Daniel? she asked, setting down the cups.
All fine, Emily answered, steadying her voice. But what about you?
Brilliant! Last night, the girls and I stayed out till morning. Dancing, then karaoke. What a laugh!
Mrs. Thompson told me everything, Emily cut in darkly. That you came home at five, looking drunk.
Her mother laughed.
Well, what did you expect? Sipping tea at a bar?
Emily couldnt hold back.
Mum, dont you think this is a bit much?
How dyou mean?
Youre not twenty anymore. Clubs? Dancing? Youre supposed to be setting an example. Youll be a grandmother!
Im a woman whos finally free. I wont live by someone elses script.
But you spent *decades* with Dad! How can you just move on like this?
Her mother paused, then said calmly, firmly:
Your father betrayed me. Not a mistakea choice. And I wont just be a housekeeper anymore. I want to *live*. For myself. Spent years putting family first. Now I do what I please.
But youre nearly fifty!
So? Age doesnt come with a rulebook.
Emily knew 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 dress in frumpy frocks. Ill dance. Might even flirt. Im happy.
No, Mum, I *want* you there. Its just
Just Auntie Thompson disapproves? Well, tough. Im finally living.
Back home, she told Daniel everything.
I dont know how to feel.
He laughed.
Your mums bloody brilliant. Chose life over misery. No crime in being happy.
That weekend, Emily called her mother.
Fancy a spa day, then live music at that jazz bar?
Wont you be embarrassed?
Ill tell them youre my older sister, Emily teased.
Deal. But were not leaving early.
That day changed everything. For the first time, Emily saw the steel in her mothers spiritand wondered if she, too, should learn to live not by *should*, but by *want*.
