Did you register him as a resident? Sam wondered, his eyes widening. His mother had never even imagined such a thing.
Whats the use? Is Uncle Ivor supposed to be a permanent lodger? she muttered, glancing at the newcomer. Hes already forty; surely he ought to have his own flat.
Sams father had passed away when Sam was thirteen, and his little sister Molly was only three. There was no one else to lean on; their maternal grandmother had died two years earlier, and no other relatives remained.
Truth be told, Sam hadnt been especially attached to his fatherhe was constantly away on work shifts, and the family saw him little. Still, the man kept a roof over their heads, and now the household struggled on the single shopkeepers wages that his mother earned.
Sam felt for his mother. Deprived of her provider, she seemed adrift, and Sam did what he could: he took odd jobs, helped around the house, and watched over Molly. He didnt protest when, a year later, his mother brought home a man named Nigel.
Nigel was a stranger, but his arrival brought a smile back to his mothers face; she laughed again and seemed younger. The peace, however, lasted only a few months before Nigel vanished.
He turned out to be married, Sam recalled hearing his mother sob to their neighbour, Mrs. Clarke. He said he was on a work assignment. Of course its nicer to stay in a cosy flat than a hotel!
Oh, darling, Mrs. Clarke sighed. You have two childrenspend your time on them, not chasing after strangers.
Later came Stephen Whitaker, who called his mother my little swallow and Sam and Molly the fledglings. He lasted six months. After him, a quiet, courteous fellow named Stan arrived and held on for three months.
Why the men always turned out so poorly, Sam never understood. His mother was beautiful, diligent, and caring. After Stan left, a calm settled over the house.
I need no man, Annabelle declared to Mrs. Clarke. God has given me good children; Ill raise them and be happy.
Sam exhaled in relief. He was sixteen then, dreaming of attending university in another city. Thanks to his grandmother, hed started school at six, so he couldnt leave without his mothers blessing, nor could he abandon his sister to a mother preoccupied with lovers.
Whats this, son? Annabelle waved her hands when Sam stammered about his plans near the end of his eleventh year. Of course you should go! Molly and I will manage. Im afraid I cant help you with the money, she added sadly.
Ill look after myself, Sam said, buoyed. Will you be all right?
Absolutely.
He hadnt yet realized that his mothers easy consent was not without purpose. He enrolled at university, moved into a dorm, studied hard and took evening jobs. It wasnt easy, but Sam was ready for hardship.
He soon felt the ache of missing his mother, especially his little sister. Molly adored him, looking up to him as if he were a guardian angel. When Sam announced his departure, she burst into tears, yet later declared she would wait for him, convinced it was for the best.
A few months after Sam left, Mollys voice over the phone grew weak and sorrowful; one day she even began to weep.
Come now, my little mouse, Sam said firmly. Dry your eyes and tell me whats wrong. No lies, you know we never tell falsehoods.
Molly obeyed, and within five minutes Sam felt a chill run down his spine at what she revealed.
Since his departure, Annabelle had taken in Uncle Ivor, a boisterous tradesman who made it clear he was the master of the house. He was a modest electrician from a small firm, balding and ruddycheekednot exactly a lookeryet he behaved like a king toward his mother and, worse, toward her daughter. Annabelle seemed to roll out the red carpet for him, forgetting Molly entirely.
Eightyearold Molly walked to a school two streets away on her own and returned by herself. Her mother stopped taking her to the swimming pool and the drama club, telling her, If you want to go, go alone; learn to be independent.
Uncle Ivor insisted that Molly should cook, wash, and iron for herself. Though Annabelle tried to retain some authority, her resolve waned quickly. Moreover, Molly was forbidden to leave her room without Ivors permission whenever he was home, and she had to avoid his gaze as much as possible.
Has Mother lost her mind? Sam exclaimed after listening to his sisters tale. Ill speak to her! Hold on, my little mouse, Ill sort this out.
But the matter did not resolve.
Am I not entitled to a pinch of personal happiness? Annabelle snapped when Sam reproached her for Mollys suffering. Ivor is a fine man! Molly is just spoiled; she needs discipline.
Molly, whom Annabelle once called Mollypie in moments of irritation, was now being rebuked as Emily.
Mother, are you feeling alright? Does anything hurt? Sam asked gently.
I feel splendid, she replied, then softened, Molly is merely exaggerating She misses you and is being dramatic so she can get your sympathy.
Sam doubted his sisters story, yet he had no grounds to distrust his mother. He steadied himself, focused on his studies, aiming to finish his exams early and secure a job. Money was scarce; Sam neither drank nor smoked, nor spent evenings in clubs.
He passed his exams with ease, gaining credits in almost every subject, but had to turn down a job offer.
Im scared of him, Molly cried into the phone, trembling. She and I argue, she hardly leaves her room, and sometimes he wanders the flat naked
What do you mean, completely? Sam asked.
Yes, Molly managed, Im scared of him.
Sams imagination had never been vivid, but now dark images filled his mind. He boarded the first bus home, and the truth proved as horrible as his sister described.
Uncle Ivor stalked the flat like a spectre, looking down on Sam, shouting at Annabelle:
Your son has arrived, yet you havent set a table for the men!
She smiled coyly at Ivor: One moment, Ivor, everything will be ready.
Sam avoided drinking with the master of the house. He slipped into Mollys room, where she wept with relief. From the hallway he heard Ivor mutter at Annabelle: Youve raised a boy with no respect for elders, while she whispered something frightened.
In a couple of days Sam saw that his sisters fears were real. Ivor ruled the flat with an iron fist. He tried to command Sam, but Sam snapped back:
Theres no need for you to tell me what to do in my own home!
Ahahah Ivor growled, threateningly. Look here, your son doesnt think of me as a man. Explain that to him.
Son, why are you so angry? Annabelle hurried in. Ivor is also listed on the leaseperhaps you two could reach an understanding, now that we all live together
Did you register him as a resident? Sams astonishment was palpable. His mother had never even considered such a step.
Whats the point? Is Ivor just another lodger? she whispered, glancing around the room.
Hes already forty; surely he should have his own place! Sam retorted.
Their argument was interrupted by a slam of the front door. Ivor, evidently offended, stormed out. Annabelle flinched, about to chase after him, but Sam held her back.
Mother, whats happening? he asked, trying to meet her eyes. Could he be giving you something? Should we see a doctor?
What do you know? she sobbed suddenly. Perhaps for the first time in my life Ive loved someone! And Ivor loves me! Do you think its easy to live without a husband? Tears flooded her face.
Sam was at a loss. He felt sorry for his mother, for his sister, and for himselfhe could not abandon both of them. Yet his university studies hung in the balance.
The pressing matter was to rid the house of Uncle Ivor. Persuading Annabelle proved futile; it was as if Ivor had a hypnotic hold over her.
Sam turned to the internet, where answers to any dilemma seemed within reach.
Mother, either you ask your lodger to leave, or Ill take legal action, he declared firmly.
What court, dear? Annabelle replied, equally firm. Ivor lives here lawfully.
Well see, Sam replied. You registered him when I was a minor; now circumstances have changed. Think about it.
Ivor, unwilling to be embarrassed in court, vacated the flat two days later.
Annabelle now cast reproachful, teary glances at Sam, then, after a brief spell of cheerfulness, began disappearing from the houseperhaps reconciled with her lover.
Sam transferred to parttime study and secured a job in their hometown. He hopes his mother will eventually see reason, and for now he remains nearby, just in case anything else goes awry.
