Lets Live for Each Other
After his mother passed away, George tried to steady himself. Shed been in hospital for a while before she died, and before that, shed been at home, George and his wife, Grace, taking turns to look after her. The houses stood right next to each other, and though George had offered countless times to bring his mother into their home, shed adamantly refused.
Son, your father died in this house, and Ill go here too. Somehow it feels right, shed wept, and George couldnt say no.
It would have been easier for both him and Grace if his mother had moved in but part of him didnt want young Emily, their thirteen-year-old daughter, witnessing her grandmother slowly fading away. George worked shifts, and Grace was a primary school teacher. No matter what, his mother was never left alone; they even took turns sleeping over at her house.
Mum, is Granny going to die soon? Emily asked one evening. Its so sadshes always been so kind.
I dont know, love. That time comes for everyone. Its just the way of life, her mum replied.
When his mothers condition worsened, she was taken off to hospital. George had a younger sister, Rachel, three years his junior, with a teenage son, Anthony. Mostly, their mother or Grace had watched him, as Rachel was always off on business trips, as she claimed. Shed divorced her husband long ago and made it clear she didnt want the responsibility of caring for their mother, knowing George and Grace would do it all. Rachel was the polar opposite of her brother brash, heartless, always stirring up trouble.
Three days after their mother was taken to the hospital, she died there. After the funeral, they decided to sell her housesomeone needed to take care of it, or it would quickly fall into ruin. Years ago, shed signed the house over to George, since she and Rachel had never got on. Rachel knew, and as a result shed cut off contact with their mother.
Still, once the house was sold, Grace insisted:
When you get the money, split it evenly with Rachel.
Grace, shes got her own flather ex-husband left her well set up, though he walked away empty-handed. Shell just waste the money, no doubt.
Thats not the point, George. Lets keep clear consciences. Otherwise, shell make a huge fuss about the pair of us.
He finally agreed, handing half the proceeds to his sister. Rachels only response was, Is that all? Wheres the rest?
Time passed. Emily had turned fifteen when misfortune struck againthis time, Grace fell ill. Shed complained of not feeling well for a while, blamed it on the exhaustion from teaching children all day, until she fainted in the front garden. They rushed her to hospital, but after tests, the doctor delivered the hard truth: Grace had a terrible illness, and it was already too late.
Isnt there anything you can do for my wife? George pleaded, only for the doctor to shake his head.
Were doing all we can, but she should have come in earlier.
I tried. But Graceshes the sort of person who lives for everyone else, and never herself George trailed off helplessly.
Soon after, he brought Grace home. She took to her bed and couldn’t get back up. George took time off to care for her, giving her injections and sitting by her side around the clock. When his leave ended and he had to return to work, Emily looked after her mother. Shed feed her after school, wash her when needed, all the while quietly growing weary from the strain.
One afternoon, Rachel appeared.
George, my washing machines packed in. Can you have a look at it? Youre good with these things.
All right, Ill pop over tomorrow, he promised. The next day, true to his word, he got it working.
On his way out he said: Rachel, could you drop in on Grace and Emily now and then? Emilys only fifteen, shes exhausted, and Im at work half the time. Its hard enough for an adult to manage, let alone a childshe often spends nights up with her mum when Im on night shifts. Grace did a lot for youcared for Anthony almost up to age ten, and even fought to help you keep your flat when your ex tried to take it.
Oh, dont drag up ancient history. Anthonys seventeen now, remember? I married before you, so Grace helped with my son whilst I was away on business trips. I gave her a gold ring to thank her.
You gave her a ring and she handed it right back, but you took it anyway.
Well, if she didnt want it, of course I took it back. Anyway, there’s a world of difference between minding a healthy child and sitting with someone whos dying. No, thank youI wont, she replied sharply, not so much as a word of thanks for the washing machine.
George didnt feel offended, just finished with her.
Dont ask me for help again. Youre heartless.
He resolved not to think of her again. Graces condition grew rapidly worse, and that evening, Emily glanced out the window, saw her father returning from work, and rushed outside to meet him.
Dad, Mums really poorly. She wont eat, just lies turned mum to the wall and doesnt speak. I tried to get her to take some water and medicine, but
Its okay, love, well get through somehow.
That night, Grace passed away. Both father and daughter wept; now it was just the two of them. In a way, George felt even a sliver of solaceGrace was no longer suffering, and Emily didn’t need to witness it any longer. He missed his wife dearly, but the cruel illness had worn them all out.
After Graces funeral, grief settled over him. He missed her laughter, the way shed fussed over them both; her absence was everywhere. Emily grieved as well, but she even found ways to comfort her father.
Dad, we did all we could. Mums not here anymore, but at least shes at peace. Well get used to it, bit by bit. The important thing is that we have each other.
You’ve really grown up, love, George said admiringly. All this has made you so grown for your age.
Emily began to fill her days with home and school, always making sure to spend time with her dad, who in turn hurried back from work each day, knowing shed be waitingand sometimes, she even tried her hand at cooking so they could chat over dinner.
One evening when he came in, Emily said, Aunt Rachel dropped by after school. She pushed in behind me before I could shut the door, said she needed to take Mums mink coat and a few other things, and told me youd said it was fine.
Did you give her anything? George asked, frowning.
No, I sent her away.
Good. In future, keep the door locked. Dont let her in.
At work, George suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chesthe could barely breathe, his face went ashen. His colleague called an ambulance, and George was rushed to hospital. Emily came running in tears, but the doctor reassured her.
Dont worry; your dads stable. It was a warning sign, but hell need some treatment.
Now everything fell on Emily: school, housework, hospital visitsshe juggled it all, barely coping, but always making time to visit her dad and bring him little homemade meals.
One day, Rachel appeared with a cake.
Emily, this is for your dad. Take it to him in hospital for mehe wont want to see me, you know that. Dont say I baked it, will you?
Thanks, Aunt Rachel, Emily replied, and Rachel left.
About fifteen minutes later, Anthony stopped byhed sometimes drop in, being family, now finishing school and hoping to go to university.
Forgot my keys, so I came over, he explained. Blimey, did you make that cake?
No, your mum brought it for my dad. I can cut you a slice, thoughyou must be hungry after school.
He didnt refuse, and Emily even made a cup of tea. Then together, they decided to visit George in hospital. But before they arrived, Anthony suddenly went pale, sweat beading on his forehead. He clung to the handrail by the hospital stairs, and then, to her horror, collapsed. Lucky it happened right theredoctors rushed to his aid.
Tests found something toxic in Anthonys blood.
What did he eat? the doctor asked.
The cakewe were bringing it in for my dad. His mother made it.
Dont give any of that to your father. Ill take it from here.
Rachel was notified and rushed to the hospital.
Oh God, my son, my darling, whats happened to you? How could you be so ill?
He ate the cake you made, Aunt Rachel, Emily told her, and Rachel went deathly white.
Soon after, Rachel was taken in by the police. It turned out shed laced the cake with something poisonousplanned to kill her brother in order to sell his house, assuming Emily would soon go off to university and she could cash in. Except Rachel never imagined that her own son might eat the cake first.
When George was discharged, he brought Emily and Anthony to visit Rachel in custody.
Im sorry, George, Im sorry, Anthony, and Im so sorry, Emily I see now what Ive doneplease, forgive me, truly, she wept.
George withdrew his complaint, and after some time, Rachel was released. Anthony, shaken and bitter, couldnt forgive his mother and spent most of his time at George and Emilys.
Uncle George, Ill never forgive my mum. I hate her for what shes done.
Anthony, George said quietly, We cant choose our parents. What your mum did was dreadful, but she regrets it deeply. Everyone makes terrible mistakes sometimes. Try to forgive hershes suffering enough for it.
Life slowly settled. Anthony went to university, Emily was finishing school with plans to study further, though she hated the thought of leaving George alone.
Its all right, love, he told her. Youve got to study. Ill cope just fine. Well look out for each other, and you can always come home for weekends and holidays. Your mum wanted you to go to teacher training college more than anything.
The troubles that had befallen their family had been harsh and cruel, but in the end, George and Emily found comfort in having each other. They realised that living for one another, supporting and forgiving the people we love, is what truly gets us through even the darkest times. And in this, they discovered what family is really about.
