“We love you, son, but please dont visit us again.
An elderly couple lived their entire lives in a small cottage, now as weathered as they were. Yet they had no desire to leave.
In the evenings, they often reminisced about their lives, recalling countless happy memories. Their children had long grown up and started families of their own. Their daughter lived in the next village, so she visited often, and the grandchildren kept life lively. But their son had moved far awayfive years since his last visitlost in work and responsibilities, often holidaying abroad with his wife. Recently, Oliver had called to announce his visit.
The news delighted his parents. They sprang into action: his father cycled to the shops for groceries, while his mother planned a feast to welcome their beloved son. They counted the days until his arrival. Oliver had recently remarried; his first wife had been restless, always seeking adventure, so they divorced. Theyd had no children, and now he was building a new life.
Oliver arrived by car in the evening, ate supper, and went straight to bed. His parents sat quietly beside him, content just to watch him sleepexhausted from the long drive, he barely spoke.
His father said cheerfully, Our boy will sleep well tonight, and tomorrow hell help chop firewood. Well muck out the stable and fetch a Christmas tree to decorate the house, just like old timeswe havent bothered with one in years.
His mother added, And we must fix the pantry floor before one of us falls through it.
His father went to bed, but his mother lingered, straightening the blanket and fluffing his pillow.
At dawn, his father lit the stove to warm the house for Olivers sake. His mother baked cakes. Oliver slept until noon, then remarked how deeply hed slept. After breakfast, he turned on the telly and settled in to watch a film.
His mother asked, Son, could you help your father with the firewood?
Mum, Im only here a few dayslet Dad handle the sauna.
Silently, his parents hauled water from the well for the sauna themselves.
At lunch, his father said, The stable needs mucking out. Youre young and strongplease take care of it.
What, Dad? Do you think Im not tired from work in the city? I came to relax, and youre already putting me to work.
After the sauna, Oliver drank the alcohol hed brought, complaining about life. His parents wore themselves out while he rambledhis expensive flat, his pedigree dog, how all women were difficult, how work had lost its joy.
Exhausted, his parents went to bed. Offended, Oliver declared hed visit his sister insteadthey were boring. His mother pleaded, taking his car keys to stop him driving. Oliver nearly kicked down the door, stormed to his room, and blasted the telly at full volume.
His elderly parents lay awake, unable to sleep. His father checked on him later, found him snoring, and turned off the TV.
The next morning, Oliver wandered the woods, returned chilled, and basked by the fire with tea, oblivious to yesterdays tension. His mother nursed a headache all day.
They packed him a bag of homemade treats. Oliver didnt refuse. So much! My wife will love theseshes never had jam this good. We have everything in the city, but I wont insult you by refusing. I forgot your Christmas presents, but Ill bring them next time.
His mother wiped a tear. Dont come back, son. We love you, but you can lie on your own sofa and watch your own tellyits newer than ours.
Oliver realised hed hurt them but didnt know what to say. He waved, drove off, and returned to his chaotic city life.
Sometimes love means knowing when to let gofor their peace, and yours.”
