Sent Away to the Care Home
Dont you dare, Alice, and dont even mention it! Edith Strong pushed her bowl of porridge away, sending warm oats splattering across the tablecloth. You want to get rid of me, pack me off to some dreadful home?
So they can jab me with anything and smother me with a pillow if I scream too loud? Not a chance!
Alice drew a long breath, refusing to look at her grandmothers trembling hands.
Gran, its not what you think. Its a private care home, not a council place. There’s a forest nearby, nurses on hand all hours.
You’d have company, a massive telly. Otherwise, youre on your own all day while Dads at work.
Oh, I know all about that company. Edith grumbled, nestling deeper into her pillows. Theyll clean me out, take this flat and dump me God-knows-where.
You tell Paul thishis mothers not leaving this house alive. He can look after me himself! Hes my son, isnt he? I raised him, never slept a wink while he had measles, and now its his turn.
Dads working two jobs to buy your medicine! Hes fifty-three, Granhis blood pressure keeps soaring, he hasnt been to the pictures in three years, let alone had a holiday!
Hell manage. Edith pressed her lips together. Still young. Let him make do.
And you, stay out of it. Eggs dont teach hens to lay, Alice. Go tidy up that mess, look at the state of this kitchen!
Alice marched out to the hallway and exhaled loudly. How are you supposed to speak to her?
Her father, Paul, came in just after seven. Rather than untying his shoes, he dropped onto the footstool in the hallway, just staring at the floor.
Dad? Are you alright? Alice stepped closer, taking the heavy bag of groceries from him.
Im fine, love. Just the warehouse is a mess. End of year paperwork soon. Hows your gran?
As always. Another battle over the care home. She reckons were plotting her end.
Dad, this cant go on. Ive checked this months billsafter everything, weve got less than a hundred quid for food.
And I need to pay for my halls still, not to mention textbooks.
Well sort it. Paul managed to get to his feet, yanked off his boots. Picked up another job. Night shifts on security, alternate days.
Are you mad? When are you supposed to sleep? Youll drop down one of these days!
Paul didnt answer. He moved to the kitchen, filled a saucepan with water and set it to boil.
Did she eat?
Poured half her porridge on the mattress. I changed the sheets.
He sighed. Never mind. Go study. Revision for your finals is more important. Ill get gran sorted.
Alice watched her father limp down the hall towards her grandmothers room.
She pitied him more than she could express. The cheerful, strong man who once cracked jokes at breakfast was fading into a shadow.
No more laughter, no spark in his eyes.
***
A week later, things got worse. Paul came home later than usual, pale and unsteady.
Dad? Alice hurried to him. Are you alright?
Im finehead just spun a bit on the Tube. Stifling in there.
Sit! Lets check your blood pressure.
The numbers flashed: 180 over 110. Alice handed him pills without a word.
Tomorrow, youre not going anywhere. Im ringing the GP.
Cant. Paul winced. Got an inspection at work. If Im off, Ill lose the bonus. And we got that noteyour grans flat tax has gone up.
Sell it, Dad! Alice whispered, eyeing Ediths door. Her little place in Kent, just sell it. Thats whateighty grand? Itd pay all our debts, get her proper private care.
Paul sighed. She wont consent
She hasnt set foot there in five years! Why does she need a flat, when she cant even get out of bed?
Before he could answer, a sudden bang echoed from the next room.
Edith was thumping her mug on the bedside table, demanding attention.
Paul! Paul, get in here! Who are you whispering with? Plotting against me again?
He drank the tablets, got up and shuffled to her room.
***
Six years ago, Paul had someoneHelen. Gentle, calm, shed bring pies when she visited, and theyd talked of a weekend getaway in the countryside.
It all ended when Edith became bedridden. Helen tried to help, but Ediths tirades drove her out.
Just lookswanning in to get everything handed to her! Stealing my boy! shed shout, feigning heart attacks whenever Paul tried to leave for a date. Get her out this instant! Out!
Eventually, Helen left, and Paul didnt chase after her.
The landline rang one evening. Alice was revising, her father still out at work.
Hello?
Is that Mr. Strong? asked a man.
No, Im his daughter. Has something happened?
Miss, this is HR. Your father collapsed during the meeting today. Paramedics took him to the City Hospital. Take down the address, please.
Alice jotted the hospitals address at the edge of her notebook. Before she even set the phone down, Edith started calling.
Alice! Whos that? Wheres Paul? I want my teabring it now!
Alice peeked in. Her gran lay propped up by pillows, face twisted with annoyance.
Dads in hospital, Alice said quietly.
In the hospital? See! Youve driven me to this! He shouted at me, and now the Lords punished him. Nobody cares about me! Whos going to feed me now? Put the kettle on.
Alice left the room without so much as a word.
***
For three days, Alice split her time between home and the hospital.
The diagnosis was serious: hypertensive crisis on a background of total exhaustion. The doctors wouldnt even let Paul stand up.
Hows Mum? he asked as soon as Alice entered his room.
Shes fine, Dad. The neighbour pops in, checks on her. Please, rest. You need at least two weeks in bed.
Two weekswhos going to pay the bills? Ill lose my job
Try to sleep. Alice tucked him in. Ill handle it. I promise.
On the fourth day, she returned home only to meet a barrage of complaints.
Whereve you been?! Im lying here filthy, Pauls off gallivanting, and Im rotting in my own mess!
Alice clenched her fists and replied overly calm.
Right, Gran. Listen closely. Dads very ill. He could have a stroke from all this stress.
Dont talk nonsense! Edith scoffed. Hes strong. Like his father. Now help me turn over, my side aches.
No. Alice sat on the chairs edge. Im not turning you. Or feeding you.
Ediths eyes bulged.
What lunacy is this? Lost your mind?
No. Were out of money. Dads not working, no bonuses. Your pension barelyeven covers your medication and pads anymore.
Rubbish! Paul mustve tucked some away!
There is nothing left. It all went to your private hospital tests last month. So, heres the choiceeither you sign the forms to sell your Kent flat, or tomorrow I call social services and theyll take you to a council home. Free, but thats all the care youll get.
You wouldnt dare! Edith shrieked. Im his mother! This is my house!
Your house? Youre destroying your own son. You dont care if he doesnt come out of hospital. All you want is another soft pillow and your tea brought quick.
I phoned that care home we spoke of. Theres a place free. Selling your flat pays for it. Its private, with decent staff.
I wont go! Edith wheezed, her cough rattling from deep within.
Then you can go hungry. Ive got no money for your food. Im starting late shifts tomorrowyoull have water on your table, and thats it. Think about it.
Alice strode out and shut the door. Her hands shook. Shed never been cruel, but she knew if she didnt end this, her father wouldnt survive.
And her gran shed outlive them both if allowed to keep draining the life from them.
The night passed in silence. Alice didnt go back in, though she heard her grandmother call, weep, then curse her. She only came in the morning.
Waterplease croaked Edith.
Alice gently held the cup to her lips.
Well? Will you sign? The solicitor will be round at noon.
Vultures, the lot of you Edith mumbled, but the fire was gone. Fine. Do your paperwork.
But tell Paul tell him to visit, alright?
Hell visit. When hes well enough to walk again. And Ill come, too. Promise.
***
Paul sat on a bench in the care homes peaceful park. He looked betterput on a bit of weight, a hint of colour in his cheeks.
Beside him, his mother waited in her wheelchairclean, dressed warm, quietly nibbling at an apple.
Paul? Oh, Paul, she called.
Yes, Mum?
Have you rung Helen? Are you two friends again yet?
Paul looked at her, surprised.
I have, actually. She said shed pop in Saturday.
Well, thats good. Edith turned her attention to the garden bed. Theres a nurse here, young Emilyso bossy, always telling me off. Let your Helen see for herself. Just dont upset her. Not nice, making women cry, Paul. Its not right.
Paul laughed and squeezed his mothers hand. Alice came running down the path, waving, shining with happiness.
Dad! Gran! she called, still far off. I got the scholarship! And work gave me extra hours!
Paul stood and threw his arms wide to catch her. Edith watched with squinted eyes.
She still thought shed been turfed out unfairly, but she kept her opinions to herself these days.
When her carer wheeled over and gently invited her for a massage, Edith nodded grandly.
Come on then, dear. But easy this time, Im delicate. That last fellow nearly took my leg off Tell him to treat me like fine china, not a bear, for goodness’ sake
The carer wheeled her away. Alice hugged her father, and together they stood, watching the tall pines.
For the first time in ages, the three of them were truly happy.
***
Edith lived to meet her great-grandsonAlice finished her studies, married a good man, had a little boy.
Paul married Helen; Edith welcomed her new daughter-in-law warmly. Over time, trust and warmth built between themHelen forgave all the spiteful things Edith had once said.
Edith passed away quietly, in her sleep, leaving behind no bitterness for Alice or Paul.
