The car hummed gently along the slick country road, while Margaret gazed intently out the window toward the deep woodland stretching along the verge. Inside, her son sat behind the wheel, and her daughter-in-law, Charlotte, sat beside him. Her thoughts unraveled restlesslyhow could her own son send her off to a care home? Where had she gone wrong raising him? Perhaps she hadnt loved him enough, but shed always done everything she could, trying to give him a happy childhood. But Anthony always had his own stubborn way.
One morning, he arrived with a holdall filled with odds and ends. Margaret was in the kitchen, sipping tea and nibbling on biscuits. He strode in confidently, dropped the bag on the floor, and smiled.
Well, Mum, pack your things for the centre. Youre leaving. Itll be much better for you there.
What centre, Anthony? What are you talking about?
The retirement home. Ive paid for six months up frontIll settle the balance soon. Your room is marvellousjust for you, no roommates. The doctors are fantastictheyll give you massages and treatments, and your blood pressure will always be checked on time. Theres food five times a day. Honestly, Mum, its heaven on earth.
But, Anthony, I dont want to go to any care home. I want to stay with you, with my family, to spend my last days in my own house.
Dont be silly. Charlotte and I thought it all through, made all the arrangements, and paid for everything. So dont act like a childget dressed, come and eat.
Poor Margarets chest ached. A single tear slid down her wrinkled cheek. She remembered when Anthony was little, how hed scraped his knee and shed hold him close, while he cried and said, Mummy, Ill never leave you. His blue eyes stared into hers, and her heart thudded as she believed her son would always be her strength. And it had seemed that way once.
All at once, the gentle boy with kind blue eyes turned into an Anthony hardened by life, sending his mother away to a place called retirement home with not a flicker of regret.
As the car moved onwards, memories of her first meeting Anthonys father flooded backfalling in love at the first glance, laying out plans for their home and children. And then her first love, swept away by fate, died when she was six months pregnant.
Husband, who abandoned me? Who? Her thoughts grew louder, a cry to her lost love echoing in her mind, as her throat tightened, hot tears spilling in anguish and heartbreak.
