The man is relishing his day off and lies asleep in his flat, when suddenly the doorbell rings. Who on earth could arrive so early? Opening the door, he finds himself face to face with an elderly woman he doesnt recognise. She looks shaken.
Who are you here to see? he asks.
Son, dont you recognise your mother?
Mum? Come in you! he stammers, barely able to believe it.
He remembers with painful clarity the day his mother was taken from him. He had waited for years, hoping she would come to the childrens home and bring him back. Eventually, the pain ebbed away. He finished school, headed to university, then set up his own business. When people asked about his parents, he would say theyd died. He learned to fend for himself, relying on no one else. Confident, independent, and now well-off, there was nothing about him to suggest hed grown up in care.
His mother barely remembers when she lost custody. In her youth, drink ruled her life, and in a fog of alcohol her mind shut down completely. Time in prison gave her too much time to think about her eldest. No, shed never truly loved him she only pitied him.
Then she had another son, and real maternal feelings finally flooded in. She would have done anything for her youngest, no matter what. Her firstborn faded from memory, and she did all she could to ensure her younger child was happy.
Her youngest grew up just like her. He bounced between foster homes, and at fifteen, received his first suspended sentence. Not long after, came another, then prison time. Now shes fighting to keep him out of a cell, knowing acutely the misery inside. When word reached her that her eldest was successful, she tracked him down without delay.
Now she is in his lounge, shedding tears, reaching out to touch his hand as she shares how shes searched for him, prayed for his health, and hoped every day to see him again. He believes her, but something inside warns him to keep his distance. Still, he rents her a flat, hands her some pounds, and tells her she can count on his support. He resolves to watch and learn for himself whether or not shes acting in good faith.
Before Christmas, the man visits the children’s home where he grew up. He often brings toys and food for the children. An older carer approaches him.
Your mum was looking for your address.
Yes, thank you for helping her.
But be careful shes just after money to rescue her youngest from prison. She never loved you, and she wont now.
I have a brother?
Yes. Ask her yourself.
A lump rises in his throat and he finds it hard to breathe. He cant believe his mother might betray him again. Swallowing his emotions, he heads off to confront her and learn the truth. She isnt ready for his questions, unwilling to mention his younger brother, afraid hell refuse to help.
Days later, the man is ambushed and brutally beaten. After the attackers are arrested, they confess to the police that it was his mother who hired them. She was desperate to kill her eldest and take his inheritance for her younger son, hoping to secure a carefree life for him.
In court, she sobs and begs for forgiveness, but hes reached his conclusion.
I lived without a mother before, and Ill keep living without one now, he whispers through tears.
