So youre not going to spend the holidays with me then? youre giving me a separate booking on purpose so I cant sneak in with you, is that it?
Sam froze.
Mum, I told you Im going with Lucy. Weve been planning it for ages. Its not that we dont want you around we just want a twoperson break.
***
Evening at Sams rarely followed a set pattern, but tonight it began the same: a frantic call to Mum. Her favourite pastime was guess why Im angry this time. This time, however, the puzzle was genuinely baffling Sam had no clue what could have gone wrong.
Earlier that day theyd spoken, everything had been fine.
Mum, whats wrong? he managed to get through, voice jittery. Ive been trying for half an hour! What if somethings happened to you
Margaret simply snorted into the receiver.
What do you mean? Sam asked.
Figure it out yourself. Youve missed something.
I havent missed anything, Mum. What are you on about? A familiar wave of helplessness washed over him. Whenever Mum got upset, he felt like a child who could only whine.
He ran through the usual suspects. Had he forgotten to congratulate her on a birthday? Which one? Had his tone been too blunt? No
Mum, what are you talking about?
She finally deigned to explain:
About nine oclock, Sam! You promised to ring me at nine and you called at ten! I waited an entire hour! Can you imagine that? Youve got no respect for your mother.
Sam rapped his forehead against a stack of papers. Nine, ten he knew. Hed been stuck in a meeting that ran over, and the time slipped his mind. But to make a drama out of it?
Im sorry, Mum, I really lost track. It just slipped.
So you lost track, did you? Margaret cut in. And Im supposed to just sit here twiddling my thumbs while my busy son finds a spare minute to remember his old mum!
Mum, you know I love you. Its just
I know, I know, she continued, you love me, but your love apparently comes with a schedule. If I dont remind you of myself, youll never call! Thats not in your diary. Brilliant logistics, Sam, pure topflight performance!
If only an apology would do but no. She was ready to haul up every past offence, read out the rulebook for proper sonhood, and make him feel guilty. In truth, he didnt get why it mattered so much. Hed missed a call by an hour; it wasnt the end of the world.
Alright, Mum. I wont forget again. Honest.
Promising isnt the same as doing, Sam. How many times have you promised
When did I promise and not deliver?
Remember sixthgrade
And the floodgate opened.
What Sam remembered best was that his mum turned the smallest things into catastrophes. Forgetting to take the rubbish out meant he didnt respect her. Buying the wrong brand of ham signalled an utter disregard for her taste. Margaret was a master of exaggeration, and Sam, unfortunately, was her only pupil.
Their relationship was patched up with endless apologies, concessions, and, of course, gifts.
Hows Mum? All sorted? Lucy asked.
Yeah, but at what cost
Try to look at it philosophically. You cant rewrite Mum.
Lucy was wonderful gentle, understanding, loving. She never threw a fit over a missed call; she valued his time and his choices.
Of course we cant change the past, Sam agreed. What matters now is the holiday. Where are we heading?
Sam, Lucy replied, Ive been looking at lastminute deals. What do you fancy? How long should we go? A week?
Sam smiled. A break with Lucy was exactly what the doctor ordered; his head felt like a square.
Im happy with anything! You pick.
Hmm maybe Greece? Or Turkey? Theres a decent hotel, flights are next month, perfect for your holiday
Lets see what else is on. Just need a spot where we can relax.
Before booking, Sam thought of Mum. Shed never let him off the hook. Then an idea struck.
Lucy, what if we bought Mum a separate getaway? Somewhere else, so she can have a break too.
Lucy raised an eyebrow.
You sure? She
Absolutely. Trust me, well all be calmer if shes offsite.
Sam decided it was the best compromise. He found a seaside resort in Cornwall with glowing reviews exactly what Mum liked.
Mum! he called, trying to sound upbeat. Guess what!
Whats the celebration, and why am I supposed to dance? Because my son finally remembered his mother? Margaret sounded skeptical.
No, Mum. Ive booked you a holiday. To the sea! Youll have a nice break.
He heard no squeal of delight; there was none.
What? Margaret sputtered.
Yes, Mum! Ive arranged a twoweek stay at a lovely Cornwall resort. Youll relax while Lucy and I jet off to Turkey.
He should have mentioned at the airport that he wasnt travelling with her.
So you dont want to spend the holidays with me? no joy in her tone. Youve got a separate booking just so I cant cling onto you, right?
Sam was at a loss.
Mum, I told you Im going with Lucy. Weve planned this forever. Its not that we dont want you we just want a twoperson holiday.
So you planned forever and only remembered me when you needed to shoo me away? What am I, a stray dog youre trying to ditch so you can relax with your Lucy?
Sam covered his face with his hands. How could she turn a simple gesture into a blamegame, especially when hed just bought her a holiday?
Mum I want you to relax too! Whats wrong?
I dont need a holiday on your terms, Sam! I need a holiday with you. I wanted to spend time with my son, and youre sending me off like Im a burden!
He clutched his head.
Youve turned everything upside down again
You know, Sam, she sighed, I guess Im not as essential to you as I used to be.
Silence fell, final this time.
Fine, Mum. As you wish. I hear you.
It irked him when people at work said I hear you, but now he could think of nothing better to say.
He hung up.
Lucy heard the click instantly.
What now? Mum again?
Yeah, Sam exhaled, Mum again.
Whats the problem this time? The gift didnt suit her?
She refuses to travel alone! She says Im dumping her. She wants us all together.
Lucy chuckled softly.
Sam, she just wants you near her. Always. Youre her only son. She cant imagine life without you.
Sam thought Lucys laughter was misplaced. He was trying to keep his mum from intruding on his life, which made Lucys world a little brighter, but also put her in the line of fire.
I cant be with her all the time. I have my own life, I have you.
I know, love. But for her it feels like youre drifting away.
So what am I supposed to do? Live under her skirt forever?
No, of course not. But maybe start with a proper chat?
I tried, Lucy. She wont listen.
Sam
I think I know my mum better than anyone. If she wants something, shell never be satisfied, no matter how you argue.
Sam and Lucy eventually boarded the plane to their longawaited resort. Margaret, as expected, rang her sister Valerie to vent about her ungrateful son.
Valerie, you have no idea! she exclaimed for the hundredth time. My Sam I cant even find words. He bought me a holiday in Cornwall!
Well, thats nice, isnt it? Valerie replied, trying to stay neutral. You wanted a break, didnt you?
I did, Valerie, but not like this! I wanted him to come with me, to spend time together. Instead hes jetting off with Lucy! Im convinced he bought tickets to different towns just to keep me out of the way.
Valerie was sympathetic but not entirely convinced.
With his wife, she said, theyre bound to want some privacy. Sam, dont take it personally.
Me? Im not getting in the way! I raised him, fed him, and now hes shoving me off like a coat rack! The worst part is he doesnt even realise why Im hurt. He thinks I just love making a scene out of nothing Thats our life, Valerie. I gave him everything, and he gives me nothing back.
Valerie, seasoned in family dramas, pretended to agree
