The car travelled quietly along the wet country lane, while Dorothy gazed deep into the woodland that grew beside the roadside. Her son was at the wheel, with her daughter-in-law Mary sitting beside him. Thoughts spun in Dorothys mindhow could her own son send her to a retirement home? Had she failed in raising him, somehow? Perhaps she hadnt loved him enough, yet shed always done everything for him and tried to give him a joyful childhood. But Anthony always had his own ideas.
One morning, Anthony had arrived with a bag full of assorted things. Dorothy was in the kitchen, sipping tea and nibbling on biscuits. He strode in confidently, dropped the bag on the floor, and said with a smile,
Well, Mum, start prepping for the centre. Youre goingitll do you the world of good there.
What centre, Anthony? What do you mean? she replied.
The retirement home. Ive already sorted the fee for six monthspaid in pounds, Ill cover the rest soon enough. Your room is splendidjust for you, no roommates. And the doctors there are wonderfultheyll give you massages and other treatments, and your blood pressure will always be checked on time. They serve meals five times a day. Honestly, Mum, youll think youve landed in heaven.
But, Anthony, I dont want to go to any home for the elderly. I want to stay here, with my family, and end my days in my own house, she pleaded.
Dont be difficult. Mary and I have thought everything through, made up our minds, and paid for it all. Theres no need for fussget yourself ready, lets have breakfast.
Dorothys heart ached, a tear rolling down her wrinkled cheek. She remembered how, when Anthony was little and scraped his knee, he would sit in her arms, crying and saying, Mummy, Ill never leave you. His blue eyes looked deeply into her green ones, and her heart would race, believing her son would always be her anchor. And, for a time, he was.
Now, suddenly, the boy with the kind heart and blue eyes had become Anthony, seemingly hardened, sending off his mother to a place called a retirement home without a second thought.
As they travelled by car, memories flooded back to her about the first time she met Anthonys father. Reminiscences of falling in love at first sight, planning their house and children together. He was her first and greatest love, and then he died when she was six months pregnant.
Husband, who has left me? Who?the thoughts and calls to her lost love grew louder in her mind, her throat tight with tears of pain and sorrow.
