We love you, son, but please dont visit us again.
We love you, son, but please dont come back.
An elderly couple, George and Margaret, have lived all their lives in a tiny cottage in a Yorkshire village, as old as the house itself. They have no intention of moving.
In the evenings they often look back on their lives, recalling the many happy moments. Their children are grown, each with a family of their own. Their daughter, Ethel, lives in the next village and visits often, and the grandchildren keep the house from ever getting dull. Their son, however, moved away years ago; he hasnt set foot in the cottage for five years, wrapped up in work and overseas holidays. Yesterday Alex called and announced that he will be coming.
The news lifts George and Margarets spirits. They spring into action: George hops on his bicycle to fetch groceries, while Margaret ponders what delicious dish she can make to delight her beloved son. They count the days until Alex arrives. He has recently remarried; his first wife loved the outdoors, so they divorced. They have no children, and he is now rebuilding his life.
Alex pulls up in his car that evening, has dinner, and goes straight to bed. George and Margaret sit quietly beside him, just to see their son, for they cant speak muchhis long journey has left him exhausted.
George says brightly:
Our son will finally get a proper nights sleep, and tomorrow hell help us chop wood, well clear the dung from the stable, fetch a fir and decorate the house as we used to, for we havent put up a Christmas tree in years.
Margaret adds:
And we still need to mend the floor in the pantry, otherwise it will give way.
George drifts off, but Margaret cant leave his side; she nudges his blanket and fluffs his pillow.
At first light George rises and stokes the stove so the cottage will be warm when Alex wakes. Margaret darts into the kitchen and starts baking a cake. Alex rolls out of bed around midday, remarking that he hasnt slept so soundly in ages. After breakfast he turns on the telly and settles down to watch a film.
Margaret asks:
Love, could you give your dad a hand with the wood?
Alex replies:
Mum, Im only here a few days. Ill manage, let Dad tend the sauna.
The two elders haul water from the well for the sauna without a word.
After lunch George says:
The stable needs cleared. Youre still strong, go and do it, please!
Alex snaps back:
What do you think, Dad? You think Im not tired from my city job? I came to relax and you put me straight to work.
Following the sauna, Alex cracks open the bottle of whisky he brought and begins to lament life. The whole day Margaret and George are worn out, while Alex drifts between bragging about his spacious flat with pricey furniture, his pedigree terrier, how all the women are clumsy, and that work has lost its appeal.
The parents cant take it any longer and head to bed. Alex feels insulted and says hell go to his sister because its boring with them. Margaret starts whining, begs him not to drive, and snatches the car keys. Alex threatens to smash the door, retreats to his room, cranks the TV volume up until it whistles.
George and Margaret lie awake, unable to sleep. George goes over to Alex, finds him already snoring, switches off the telly and finally drifts off himself.
The next morning Alex walks in the woods, feels the chill, and returns home, grateful for the cosy heat and a mug of strong tea on the sofa. He cant recall the previous day, while Margaret suffers a throbbing headache all day.
George and Margaret pack a bag of country treats for him, and Alex accepts.
He says:
Youve packed so much! My wife will love it; shes never tasted jam like this. We have everything, but I dont want to impose, so Ill take it. I forgot NewYear gifts, but thats alrightnext time Ill bring them.
Margaret wipes a tear and says:
Dont come back, son! We love you and worry, but you could sit on your own sofa at home and watch a far better, more expensive TV than ours. Gift baskets
Alex realises he has hurt his parents, but he doesnt know what to say. He waves, climbs into his car, and drives back to the city where the usual hustle awaits.
