Mum, its us, your children… Mum She looked at them.
Elizabeth and George have spent their whole lives in poverty. Elizabeth has long since abandoned any hope for a happy, prosperous life. She was once young, in love, and dreamt of a bright future for them. But life hasnt unfolded as she once believed it would. George has always worked hard for little pay. Then, Elizabeth found out she was expecting. They had three sons, one after the other. Elizabeth stopped working ages ago. Her husbands wages alone didnt stretch far enough. The boys grew, needing new clothes and shoes.
All their money goes on groceries. Then there are the bills and countless other expenses. Twelve years of scraping by in this way have left their mark on the family. George began drinking. Hed hand over his earnings every week, but every evening he would stumble home drunk. Elizabeth grew weary of the man and the life they shared. One day, George arrived home, clutching a half-empty bottle of whiskey. Elizabeth couldnt take it anymore. She snatched the bottle from him and drank what was left. From that moment, she started drinking too.
In a strange way, things felt easier for her. Her troubles seemed to fade away. At times, she even grew more cheerful. From then on, she waited almost eagerly for George to bring her another bottleso they drank together, every night.
Elizabeth forgot about her boys. Neighbours in their English village whispered about how drink could change a person so completely. Later, the boys began wandering the streets, begging for food. One day, one neighbours patience finally snapped and she said:
Elizabeth, those lads would be better in care than starving under your roof. How much longer will you drink your life away and ignore your sons?
Those words haunted Elizabeth for days. Perhaps it truly would be easier if the boys werent always under her feet. After a while, Elizabeth and George gave up the boys entirely. The lads ended up in a childrens homecrying, waiting for their parents, but nobody ever came. Elizabeth and George barely thought of their sons at all.
Years passed this way. One by one, the brothers left the childrens home. Each received a tiny council flatjust the one roombut at least it was something, a place to call their own. They all found jobs. They always stood by each others side. They never spoke about their parents, but deep down each longed to see them again, to find out why theyd been abandoned.
One afternoon, having met up together, the brothers drove out to the old family house. On the way, they happened upon Elizabeth, their mother, struggling along the pavement towards home. She walked past her sons without a glance.
Mum, its us, your children Mum
She turned, meeting their eyes with a vacant stare. And then, she realised who was standing before her.
She broke down in tears, begging them to forgive her. But could they? The brothers stood, silent, unsure what to say. And then they decidedwhatever she had done, she was still their mother. So they forgave her.
