The pensioner told me the last time she saw her son was more than six years ago.
How long has it been since your son last spoke to you? I asked my neighbour… In that moment, it felt as though my heart crumpled in my chest.
Its been six years since I saw him. After he left with his wife, he would call me every so often at first, but then the calls stopped altogether. Once, I even bought him a birthday cake and went to visit…she lowered her eyes and tears slid quietly down her face.
And then what happened?
My daughter-in-law opened the door and told me, rather coldly, that I wasnt welcome in their home. My son didnt say anythinghe just looked at me as though I were to blame for something, then turned away. That was the last time I saw him, she said, her words drifting dreamlike in the softly lit room.
He never phoned again? I couldnt quite believe what I was hearing; the walls seemed to tilt and shimmer as she spoke.
I rang him once, when I decided to sell my three-bedroom flat and buy a smaller place. Of course, I gave him some money. He came over, signed the papers, took the money, and that was the last I heard from him.
Are you terribly lonely, or have you come to terms with it? I asked the old lady, my own voice echoing as though drifting through empty corridors.
Im all right! When I was much younger, I was left alone with my son after my husband abandoned us for another woman. I raised my boy on my ownhe grew up in love and care. Then, one day, he told me he wanted to rent his own flat. At first I was pleasedI thought, well, hes grown, hes becoming responsible, thinking about his own roof.
But it wasnt so simple. It was really about his girlfriend. She urged him that they had to have their own place, so nobody would interfere with their fun. Then she fell pregnant.
You tell the story with such ease. Doesnt it pain you that your son left you alone at this age? I said, surprised by her calmness.
I suppose Im used to it now. I enjoy living in this new building. I have enough money for anything I might want. Every morning I wake up, put the kettle on, and step onto my balcony with a cup of tea, while the city unfolds itself beneath the pale blue sky. When I was young, all I wished for was a good nights sleep, as I always seemed to work two jobs. I dreamt of growing old, surrounded by family and laughterbut perhaps some of us are destined to be alone.
Why not get a pet? Two together make better company.
You know, my dear, even cats sometimes leave their owners. And I cant keep a dogI never know if Ill wake up the next morning or not. I dont want to take on someone I cant protect. Ive already made one mistakeone was quite enough
She tried to hold her head high, but at last, the weight became too much. She crumpled like soft paper and wept quietly, as the world around us blurred and flowed away like melting ice in the sunlight.
