Let us Live for Each Other
After Mum passed away, it took me some time to collect myself again. Shed spent her last days in hospital, where she died. Before that, she had been at home, in the cottage next to ours. My wife, Helen, and I took it in turns to look after her. Our houses are close together, and though Id offered to bring Mum into our home, she refused outright.
Son, your father died here, and Ill die here too. I feel most at peace this way, she cried, and I couldnt say no.
It would certainly have been easier for Helen and me if Mum had stayed with us, but, truth be told, our daughter Emily was only thirteen. I didnt want her to watch her gran slip away in front of her. I worked shifts, and Helen taught primary school, so we managed one of us was always there, even spending nights at Mums place in turn.
Mum, is Granny going to die soon? Emily would ask. I feel sorry for her. Shes always been so kind.
I dont know, love. One day, all lives come to an end; its just how it goes.
Grans health took a turn and she was moved to hospital. I have a younger sister, Claire, three years my junior. Shes got a son, Will, whom Gran and Helen often looked after, as Claire was always on business trips, as she put it. Divorced for years, she refused to help with Mum, knowing Helen and I would handle everything. Claire is my opposite stern, hard-hearted, argumentative.
Three days after being admitted, Mum died in hospital. After the funeral, we decided to sell her house someone needed to care for it, and otherwise it would fall into disrepair. Years ago, Mum had already signed the house over to me; her relationship with Claire had never been close, and Claire knew this, which was why she stayed away.
Once the house was sold, Helen insisted, When you get the money, split it evenly with Claire.
Helen, Claire has her own flat her ex left her well-off. Shell fritter away any money you give her anyhow.
True, but at least our consciences will be clear. Otherwise, shell shame us both at every turn.
So I agreed and gave Claire half from the sale, but she only muttered, Is this it? What about the rest?
Years passed, Emily turned fifteen, and then tragedy struck us again. Helen fell ill and was soon bedridden. She’d felt unwell for a while, but chalked it up to exhaustion teaching is no easy job. Then, suddenly, she collapsed outside the house. After tests in hospital, the doctors found it was a grave illness, and worse, it was too late.
Isnt there anything you can do? I pleaded with the doctor, but he only shook his head.
Were doing all we can, but she waited far too long. You mustve noticed she was ill.
I did, I told her to see a doctor, but Helens always so selfless. She put everyone else first I trailed off.
Soon I brought Helen home, and she never got up again. Emily and I cared for her, but the disease only got worse by the day. I learned to give Helen injections myself and took leave from work to be by her side. When my leave ran out, I had to go back to work, so Emily managed after school, feeding and washing her mum, worn out, poor girl.
One day, Claire popped over, Ollie, my washing machines packed in I know youre handy. Could you come have a look?
All right, Ill come by, I promised, and after work the next day, I fixed it.
As I left, I said, You might drop in to ours now and then, so Emily isnt left alone with Helen. Shes only fifteen, gets worn out, physically and emotionally. Im often in for the night shift. Helen isnt a stranger she practically raised your Will, and even fought to keep you that flat during your divorce.
Oh, dont dredge up history. Wills seventeen now; keep in mind, I married before you. Sure, Helen helped with Will, but I was always working. I did give her a gold ring for it.
Yes, you did but she returned it, and you gladly took it back.
Well, if she didnt want it, of course I took it. And anyway, minding a healthy child is nothing like sitting with the dying. No thanks, count me out, she snapped, without so much as a thanks for the washing machine.
I wasnt so much hurt as disgusted by Claire. Dont ask me for help again. Youre cold and unkind.
I stopped thinking about her after that. Helen faded before our eyes. That day, Emily saw me coming through the gate, ran out and cried, Dad, Mums much worse. She wont eat, just turns to the wall and wont speak. I tried to get her to take medicine, some water
Its all right, love, well get through this. We will.
Helen died that very night. We sobbed together now it was just Emily and me. Strangely, I felt some relief. Helen wasnt suffering anymore, and neither did Emily have to watch it. Of course I loved my Helen, but this cruel illness wore us both down, body and soul.
After Helens funeral, I was adrift. I missed her smile, laughter, care. Her absence pressed on me I needed her, but she was gone. Emily felt it too, but she tried to comfort me.
Dad, we did everything we could. We need to come to terms with her passing shes at peace now, not in pain. Well get used to it, because we still have each other.
Emily, I said, amazed, youve grown up so much all this has forced you to.
Emily worried about me, made sure I was never alone, and I hurried home after work knowing shed wait for me, sometimes even having cooked a meal. Wed share stories over dinner, finding some comfort in each other.
One evening, Emily told me, Dad, Claire came round just after I got home from school.
What did she want? I snapped. Dont let her in.
She followed me in I couldnt close the door in time. She said she needed to collect Mums old fur coat and some other things. Said you were aware.
I didnt hand over a thing she left, furious.
I never agreed to that. Next time, be careful lock the door. Shes no business coming here.
Then, while I was at work, I was struck by sharp pains in my chest, my breath growing thin, a rush of panic. I turned pale and almost passed out. My colleague called an ambulance, and soon I was in hospital. Emily came running, teary-eyed, but the doctor reassured her.
Dont cry, your dads conscious its a warning case of angina. Hell need treatment.
Emily now shouldered everything: school, housework, hospital visits. She tried to keep up with her schoolwork, fit in visits to me, even making food to bring along. One day, Claire visited and left a homemade pie.
Emily, I baked your dad a pie hows he doing? I dont want to visit; he wont see me. Just take it to him, dont say its from me.
All right, thank you, Aunt Claire. She left.
A short while later, Will dropped by. He sometimes helped Emily after all, he was her cousin. He was finishing school, getting ready for university.
Forgot my house keys, so I popped in. Did you make that pie, Emily?
No, I cant bake. Your mum brought it for Dad. Here, have a slice youll be hungry after school, and its too much for Dad.
Will accepted and stayed for tea. Later, they went together to the hospital. On the way, Emily noticed Will looked pale, sweaty, gripping the banister outside the hospital, and then he collapsed. Thankfully, they were right at the hospital.
Turned out, there was a toxic substance in Wills blood.
What did he eat? the doctor asked Emily.
That pie the one for my dad. Wills mum made it for him.
Dont let your father eat it. Ill take the pie for tests.
Claire was told and hurried to the hospital.
My God, Will, whats happened? How could you get so sick?
He had your pie, Aunt Claire. I gave him a slice after school, Emily explained. Claire turned deathly pale.
After some time, police took Claire away. Shed put something in the pie, planning for me to eat it she hoped to get rid of me to sell the house, assuming Emily would go to university and live in halls. Claire had worked it all out; she wanted the money, but hadnt considered Will might eat the pie too.
Once I was discharged, I took Emily and Will with me to see Claire.
Forgive me, Ollie, I beg you, Will, Emily Im so sorry. I regret everything, please forgive me, she wept.
I withdrew my statement, and after a while Claire was released. Will couldnt forgive his mother; he spent more and more time with me and Emily.
Uncle Ollie, Ill never forgive Mum I hate her. How could she?
Will, you dont choose your parents. Your mother made a terrible mistake, but she truly regrets it. Everyone can err, son. Shes suffering; try to forgive her.
In time, life settled back down. Will started university, Emily finished school and planned to go on too, although she hated the thought of leaving me alone.
Itll be fine, love. You need to study, and Ill manage. Well live for each other, and youll come back for weekends and holidays. Mum dearly wanted you to become a teacher.
And so, we carry on together, holding on for each other, just as Helen would have wanted.
