We love you, son, but please dont visit us again.
An elderly couple have spent their entire lives in a small cottage, as old as they are. Theyve no desire to move.
Often, in the evenings, they reminisce about their livesthe many happy moments theyve shared. Their children are grown now, with families of their own. Their daughter lives in the next village, so she visits often, and the grandchildren keep things lively. But their son, Thomas, moved away long ago. Five years have passed since his last visit, his life consumed by work and responsibilities. He and his wife often holiday abroad. Recently, Thomas called to say hed be coming to see them.
The news delighted his parents. They sprang into actionhis father cycled to the village shop for groceries while his mother planned a special meal to welcome him. They counted down the days. Thomas had recently remarried; his first wife had always preferred travelling, so they divorced. Theyd had no children, and now he was building a new life.
Thomas arrived late in the evening, ate supper, and went straight to bed. His parents sat quietly beside him, just watching him sleepthey didnt want to disturb him after his long drive.
His father said cheerfully,
*Our boy will get a proper rest, and tomorrow hell help chop firewood. Well muck out the shed, fetch a Christmas tree, and decorate the house like we used towe havent bothered with one in years.*
His mother added,
*And the larder floor needs fixing before one of us falls through it.*
His father turned in, but his mother couldnt bring herself to leave. She adjusted his blanket, fluffed his pillow.
The next morning, his father rose early to light the wood burner so the house would be warm when Thomas woke. His mother baked scones. Thomas didnt stir until midday, then remarked how well hed slept. After breakfast, he switched on the telly and settled in to watch a film.
His mother asked,
*Love, could you help your father with the firewood?*
*Mum, Im only here a few days. Let Dad handle itmaybe light the sauna instead?*
Without a word, his elderly parents hauled water from the well for the sauna.
At lunch, his father said,
*The shed needs mucking out. Youre young and stronggo on, give us a hand.*
*What, Dad? You think Im not tired from work in the city? I came here to relax, not to labour.*
After the sauna, Thomas cracked open a bottle of whisky and began airing his grievanceshis luxury flat with designer furniture, his pedigreed dog, how none of his girlfriends were quite right, how his job bored him.
Exhausted, his parents went to bed. Thomas took offence, announcing hed go to his sisters insteadhis parents were *dull*. His mother pleaded with him not to drive, snatching his car keys. Thomas nearly kicked the door down, stormed to his room, and blasted the television at full volume.
The elderly couple lay awake, unable to sleep. His father crept in later and found Thomas snoring. He turned off the telly and went back to bed.
The next morning, Thomas went for a walk in the woods. He returned chilled, grateful for the warmth and a hot cuppa on the sofa. He acted as if nothing had happened. His mother, though, had a splitting headache all day.
They packed him a hamper of homemade treatsjams, pickles, mince pies. Thomas didnt refuse.
*This is loads! My wife will be chuffedshes never had proper homemade preserves. Not that we need them, but Ill take them so you dont feel slighted. OhI forgot your Christmas presents. Next time.*
His mother wiped a tear.
*Dont come back, son. We love you. We worry. But you can lounge on your own sofa. Watch your own tellyits fancier than ours.*
Thomas knew hed hurt them but couldnt find the words. He waved, climbed into his car, and drove back to the cityto the chaos he called home.
