The door stays shut
“Mum, open the door! Mum, please!” Her sons fists hammered against the metal surface so hard it sounded like the hinges might fly off. “I know youre in there! The cars still hereyou havent gone anywhere!”
Eleanor Margaret stood with her back to the door, clutching a cold cup of tea in her hands. Her fingers trembled so badly the china rattled against the saucer.
“Mum, whats going on?” Williams voice grew more frantic. “The neighbours say you havent let anyone in for a week! Not even Emily!”
At the mention of her daughter-in-laws name, Eleanors lips twisted slightly. Emily. His precious Emily, the one hed do anything for. Even after what happened last Thursday.
“Mum, Ill call a locksmith!” William threatened. “Well break the lock!”
“Dont you dare!” Eleanor finally snapped, still not turning around. “Dont you dare lay a finger on it!”
“Mum, but why? Whats happened? Talk to me!”
Eleanor shut her eyes, trying to gather her thoughts. How could she explain to her son what shed overheard? How could she tell him what shed pieced together that day in the hospital waiting room?
“Mum, please…” Williams voice softened, pleading. “Im worried about you. Emilys worried too.”
Emilys worried. Of course she is. Probably just panicking her plans are falling apart.
“Go away, William. Go away and dont come back.”
“Mum, are you ill? Do you have a fever? Should I call a doctor?”
“I dont need a doctor. I need you to leave me alone.”
Eleanor walked to the window. In the garden, William was on the phone. Probably telling Emily his mum was being difficult again.
He looked up and saw her. He motioned that he was coming up. She stepped back and sat down in her armchair.
A minute later, knocking again.
“Mum, its me and Emily. Please open up.”
Eleanor clenched her jaw. So hed brought her. His wife, whod been so carefully mapping out their future.
“Eleanor,” Emilys honeyed voice came through the door, “its me. Open up, love. Williams beside himself.”
What a brilliant actress. She could switch tones on command.
“We brought food,” Emily continued. “Milk, bread, that walnut cake you like.”
Walnut cake. Eleanor smirked bitterly. A month ago, Emily had found out her mother adored walnut cake and had made a show of buying it ever since. What a devoted daughter-in-law.
“Eleanor, just say something,” Emilys voice dripped with concern. “Were so worried.”
“Youre worried,” Eleanor muttered, too quiet for them to hear.
“Mum, Im not leaving till you open this door!” William declared. “Ill stay here all night if I have to!”
She knew he meant it. Hed always been stubborn, even as a boy. Once he dug his heels in, there was no budging him.
“Fine,” she finally said. “But just you. Alone.”
“What?” William sounded confused.
“Emily goes home. Ill only talk to you.”
Whispers echoed in the hallway.
“Mum, but why? Emilys worried too.”
“Because I said so. Either you come in alone, or neither of you does.”
More hushed voices, then Emilys resigned sigh.
“Alright, Eleanor. Ill go. William, call me when you know whats wrong.”
Eleanor waited until the footsteps faded down the stairs, then slowly approached the door and turned the key.
William burst in like a storm, pulling her into a tight hug, his face creased with worry.
“Mum, youve lost weight! Youre pale! Whats happened? Are you ill?”
“Im not ill,” she said, pulling away and heading to the kitchen. “Want some tea?”
“Yes,” he sat at the table, watching her closely. “Now tell me whats going on. Why have you locked yourself away for a week?”
Eleanor set the kettle on the hob and turned to him.
“Why open the door? Whats out there worth waiting for?”
“Mum, whats that got to do with it? You cant stay shut in forever. Youve got shopping to do, doctors appointments…”
“Mrs. Thompson next door does my shopping. I leave her a list and the money. And Im not going back to the doctor.”
“Why not?”
She poured hot water into the cups, added sugar.
“Because last time I was there, I heard things I wish I hadnt.”
William frowned.
“What did you hear?”
“Your wife. On the phone with a friend. She didnt know I was there.”
“What was she saying?”
Eleanor sat across from him, staring straight into his eyeshis fathers eyes, kind and honest. Could this man really be capable of such a thing?
“She was talking about selling my flat. Sending me to a care home. Spending the money.”
William went pale.
“Mum, you mustve misunderstood. Emily would never”
“I heard every word,” she cut him off. “Clear as day. And she said, Williams already agreed. He says his mum cant live alone anymore, its not safe at her age. Well put her in a nice home, sell the flat. The money will cover the deposit.”
“Mum, I never”
“Dont interrupt me!” Her voice rose. “And then she said, Thank God his mums so trusting. She hasnt got a clue. Thinks we adore her. But shes just in the way.”
Williams head dropped. His fists clenched.
“Mum, I swear, Ive never agreed to anything like that. Emilys got a wild imagination.”
“Imagination?” Eleanor laughed bitterly. “Then why go into such detail? About the home, the money?”
He stayed silent, shoulders hunched.
She sighed, suddenly exhausted. “Go home, William. Talk to your wife. Then decide whose side youre on.”
He stood slowly, his face unreadable. “Mum… Id never betray you.”
“Prove it.”
With that, Eleanor Margaret watched her son leave, the door clicking shut behind him. And so, with a heavy but steady heart, she settled back into her evening alone, knowing that no matter what her son chose, shed keep her dignity and her home till the very end.
