Lets Live for Each Other
After his mother passed away, George managed to pull himself togetherjust a bit. Shed been in hospital towards the end, thats where she died. Before that, shed lain in her own house, and George and his wife, Alice, took turns looking after her. Their houses were right next door to each other, but even when George offered to move his mum in with them, she flatly refused.
Son, your father died here and so will I. Its easier for me this way, shed sob, and George just couldnt say no.
Honestly, it would have been simpler if shed lived with them. But their daughter, Molly, was thirteen and he didnt want her to watch her nan waste away every day. George worked shifts and Alice taught in the village primary, so there was always someone to check in on his mumeven overnight.
Mum, is Nan going to die soon? Molly asked one night. Isnt it sad? Shes so lovely.
I dont know, love. But everyones time comes sooner or later. Thats life.
His mother deteriorated, and eventually they took her to hospital. George had a younger sister, Susan (three years his junior), with a teenage son of her ownDaniel. The nan and Alice mostly looked after Daniel, since Susan was always whizzing about the country on business. Shed long since divorced, didnt want to take care of her own mother, and knew full well that George and Alice were doing all the heavy lifting. In every way, Susan was Georges polar oppositehard, selfish, and always ready for a row.
Three days after being admitted, George and Susans mum died in the hospital. After the funeral, the family agreed it made sense to sell her houseotherwise itd fall apart in no time. Years ago, Mum had signed it over to George. She and Susan had never really got on, and Susan knew that, barely speaking to her mother in the end.
Still, when they sold the house, Alice was insistent:
As soon as the sale goes through, split the money with Susan. Half and half, George.
Oh come on, Alice. Susans got her flather ex-husband left her a good placeand shell just fritter it all away like always.
Thats not the point. Our conscience will be clear, and at least she wont be badmouthing us to everyone she meets.
So, right as rain, George handed half the money over to his sister. Susan didnt so much as thank him, just sniffed, Is that all? Wheres the rest of it?
Time strolled on. Now Molly was fifteen, and tragedy struck again. Alice took ill and was bedridden. Shed been unwell for a while, blaming it on tirednessteaching kids isnt exactly a walk in the park. Then she fainted right in their driveway. The hospital found the worst: the very illness everyone dreads, and it was already too late.
Isnt there anything you can do for my wife? a desparate George asked.
Were doing everything we can, but she shouldve come in sooneror, well, come in at all. Didnt you spot she was ill?
Of course I did! I pleaded with her to see someone, but Alice lives for everyone else and never herself… He gave up and shrugged.
George brought Alice home, and she never got up again. He and Molly took care of her, but the disease kept racing ahead. George even learned to give her injections and took leave from work to be with her. But the leave ended, and he had to go back. Molly came straight home from school to feed and wash her mum, getting absolutely knackered from it all.
One day, Susan popped round.
George, my washing machines given up the ghost. Can you take a look? You know about these things.
Alright, Ill come by tomorrow, he sighed, and fixed it after work.
As he was leaving, he said, You could at least pop in to sit with Alice now and then. Molly cant be left all alone with her mumnot at fifteen. Shes exhausted, mind and body, while Im at work. Its hard enough for adults, let alone a child, having to stay up at night when Im on late shift. And lets not forget, Alice all but raised Daniel for you and helped you keep your flat when your ex threatened to claim it.
Oh, ancient history! Susan scoffed. Daniels seventeen, I married before you, remember? Alice helped with Daniel, but I was always out on business trips. I bought her a gold ring for that, anyway.
You mean the ring she gave you straight back, and you were all pleased with yourself?
Well if she didnt want it, obviously I took it back! Besides, theres a world of difference between babysitting a healthy child and sitting with a dying woman. No, thanks. Not for me. Not so much as a thank you for the washing machine.
George had had enough. Dont bother me again, Susan. Youre heartless and mean.
He never mentioned his sister again.
Alice was fading fast. One afternoon, Molly spotted her dad returning from work and ran out.
Dad, shes really bad. Mum wont eat, turned to the wall, wont talk. I tried medicines, water, but
Its alright, sweetheart. Well get through this. We absolutely will.
But that very night, Alice died. Both of them grieved deeply, just the two of them now. Oddly, George felt a touch of reliefAlice was no longer suffering, and Molly no longer had to watch it all unfold. Hed loved his wife dearly, but the illness had wrung them both dry.
After the funeral, George was overwhelmed by memoriesher laughter, her warmth, the little things she didbut she was gone. Molly grieved in her own way, mature beyond her years, even comforting him.
Dad, we did everything we could. We need to accept Mums gone. Shes not suffering anymore and well learn to carry on. Most important, we still have each other.
Blimey, youve grown up, Molly, George said, surprised. Its losing your mumits made you an adult.
Molly watched over her dad, always trying to be there. George rushed home after work because he knew shed be waiting, sometimes with a hot mealshed got the hang of cooking. Over dinner, theyd share the days little news.
One day after work, Molly announced, Dad, Aunt Susan came by after school.
What did she want here? George asked, irritated. Dont let her in, Molly.
She just came in behind me before I could close the door. Said she wanted to pick up Mums old faux fur coat and a few other bits. Said you knew.
I didnt give her anything, and she left in a strop.
Good girl. Next time, lock up as soon as you get home. Shes got no business here.
Then came a new blow. George fell ill at workhis heart. The pain was sharp, breathless, he nearly passed out. His mate called 999 and the ambulance whisked him away. Molly rushed to the hospital in tears.
Its alright, dont cry, said the doctor. Hes conscious. It was a warning sign, but hell be alright if we look after him.
Now everything at home fell to Mollyher dad, school, houseworkshe barely had a second to catch her breath, dashing from school to hospital and back. Shed even try to make little treats for George. One day Susan showed up with a cake.
Molly, I baked this for your dad in hospital. Id rather not see himhe cant stand the sight of me. Just tell him its from you, will you?
Thanks, Aunt Susan, said Molly, and off she went.
Fifteen minutes later, Daniel came roundhe sometimes helped Molly out. He was finishing school, prepping for uni entrance.
I forgot my keys. Only popped over for those… Wait, Molly, did you bake that cake?
No, I cant bake. Your mum dropped it off for Dadwants him to have it in hospital. Want a slice? You must be hungry after school, and Dad wont eat the whole thing.
Daniel agreed; Molly made some tea. Afterwards, they both headed to the hospital. As they got there, Daniel suddenly turned white, broke out in sweat and gripped the railing. Then he collapsedlucky they were already at the hospital.
Turns out, the hospital tests showed Daniel had been poisoned.
Whats he been eating? the doctor asked Molly.
That cake. It was meant for my dad. Mrs Susan baked it for him.
Dont give your dad any. Ill take this with me and make some calls.
They rang Susan, who came running to the hospital.
Oh Daniel, my poor boy! How could you get so ill?
He had your cake, Aunt Susan. I gave him a slice, since hed just come from school. At that, Susan went pale as paper.
Eventually, the police turned up for Susan. Shed laced the cake with something nasty, hoping to poison George, sell his house, and leave Molly to move into student accommodation. She hadnt counted on her son snacking first.
Once George was home from hospital, he, Molly and Daniel paid a visit to Susan at the station.
Im sorry, George, Im sorry, Daniel, and you too, Molly I really am. I see now what Ive done. Please forgive me, she wept.
George withdrew his police statement, and Susan was let out before long. Daniel never quite forgave her, staying with George and Molly more often.
Uncle George, Ill never forgive my mumhow could she?
Look, Daniel, we dont get to pick our parents. What she did was dreadful, but she truly regrets it. Give her a chance. Forgive her, for your own sake if nothing else.
Gradually, things calmed down. Daniel made it to university, Molly finished school and looked ahead to further study. She didnt really want to leave her dad alone.
Its alright, love. Go onstudy hard. Well look out for each other. Youll visit on weekends and holidays, and your mum always wanted you to go to teacher training college.
And so, no matter what else life dished up, George and Molly swore theyd stick together, living for one anotherjust as Alice would have wanted.
