A Parent’s Heart: A Story Thank you all for your support, for the likes, your kindness, your feedback on my stories, for subscribing, and MASSIVE thanks from me and my five beloved cats for every donation! Please share your favorite stories on social media—it means a lot to the author! – Why do you look so glum this morning? Not even a smile. Come on, let’s have breakfast. Her husband wandered into the kitchen, lazily stretching—finally, a weekend. Eggs and bacon sizzled on the hob, while his wife poured the tea. She scooped more than half the eggs onto his plate with some bread, – Eat up, take your fork! – Did I do something wrong, Natasha? – Arkady asked gently. – We both did, really—we didn’t bring up the children right, – Natalie sat nearby and picked at her food with little appetite, – The kids have grown up. We gave up a lot raising them—times were tough. Supported them all along the way, but who supports us nowadays, even just by words? They’re always facing problems—it’s either boredom with life or short of money. Both Sarah and James just moan. – Why do you say that? Arkady had finished his eggs and was happily spreading butter and jam on a fresh slice of bread. – You wouldn’t know, they message me—it’s always the mother. James was going to take his family bowling yesterday, wanted money to tide him over till payday, and I got so angry I didn’t give it. He took it to heart. Sarah called earlier—her singing career isn’t working out, so her mood is foul. Honestly, it’s a bit much—sure, she loves to sing, but she’s got to work, too! She dreams of making a living from music, but it’s not happening. Not everyone can. It’s high time she realises that and gets a real job! They used to be close as children, but now it’s like they barely speak! Natalie pushed aside her cold eggs and sipped her tea. – Don’t worry, it’ll all sort itself out. We were young once too, remember, – Arkady tried to comfort her, but that only fired her up more. – Don’t tell me, Ark, you remember! We lived within our means and were grateful for everything! James was born—such joy. My friend gave me a pram and cot, my sister handed down all the baby clothes. Everything was second-hand but looked like new—kids grow so fast. And we were happy, and when we bought our first Ford Fiesta, we felt on top of the world! Having a driveway felt like luxury! But for our two, if they haven’t jetted off abroad, their life is a failure—who taught them that? Surely not us? – Times have changed, Nat, so many temptations out there, and they’re young, give them time—they’ll see. – I just worry they’ll waste it all chasing riches, and life goes by, Ark. I look in the mirror and can’t believe I’m a grandma. And you—a real granddad… Their talk was interrupted by the phone—James was calling. – Here we go again, – Natalie answered, eyes widening as she jumped to her feet. – Ark, get your coat on—James is in hospital, his neighbour from the ward just called. – What happened? – Arkady also sprang into action. – I’m not sure, something with an angle grinder—blade snapped, sliced his wrist. They’re trying to save his hand. Oh God, I hope he’ll be alright, what a nightmare, what if he loses his hand! Let’s go—now. They hurriedly dressed—the parents, no longer young but not old, fear in their eyes. And they rushed off, forgetting everything, to the hospital for their son. On the way, Sarah called: – Mum, can I pop by at lunchtime? – Of course, love, we’ll probably be back by then, – Natalie breathlessly replied, not waiting for Sarah’s answer, and dashed after Arkady to the bus stop. At the hospital they were quickly reassured—his hand had been saved, but they weren’t allowed to see him yet. – I’m not leaving till I see him, – Natalie sat down in the waiting room, Arkady beside her. Suddenly Sarah came running in and hugged them both. – Mum, why do you look so upset? Everything’s alright. Yesterday James took an extra job fixing someone’s car, there was trouble with the bolts and the blade slipped. He’s awake now, all patched up, fingers moving—you look dreadful, but it’s fine! – How do you know? – was all Natalie could say. – James and I are always messaging, and with his wife too. We help each other out. Why? – It’s just we thought you two had stopped talking—that’s all, – Arkady explained. – Dad, you two are so strong, so capable—you always bounce back. We don’t want to burden you. And honestly, you both look great—give yourselves a break and enjoy life a bit now. – You lot, I thought you didn’t care about us anymore, – Natalie managed a smile as well. – Of course we do, Mum! Your generation are proper superheroes. We try to be like you, but it’s not easy, Dad, but we really do try. Their parents smiled, and the worry eased from their faces. – Mum, Dad, I wanted to tell you—I’ve got a job! And people invite me to sing at all sorts of events. Kids’ parties, and yesterday I sang at a care home—they all clapped along! One old lady even cried—her daughter’s a famous singer but always away touring, and now she’s left her mum there, can you imagine? Suddenly, Sarah gave her parents a tight hug. – And we both love you so much—don’t ever doubt it… Just then the nurse said they could visit James briefly. Natalie almost cried, but James calmly said, – Mum, it’s all going to be fine, the worst is over. Dad—you used to tell that story about the wasp’s nest in the carport, how you nearly died from all those stings. Stuff happens. When I’m out, come round for New Year—life’s too busy, we don’t see enough of each other, yeah? Oh, and Sarah’s planning to introduce us to her boyfriend—forgot to mention it. On the way home, Natalie and Arkady chose to walk, just to talk. Not old, but not so young anymore—Mum and Dad. Ah, that parent’s heart—it always aches for your children. You look at others and think, their kids seem perfect, and you just want yours to be better, to live right, to listen to their parents. But in the end, they walk their own path—whatever it may be. And our children are wonderful—they’re our children, after all.

A Parents Heart A Dreamlike Tale

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Why are you so glum this morning? You havent smiled at all. Come on, lets have some breakfast.

Richard drifted into the kitchen, stretching, still shrouded in the dazzled fog of Saturday.

Eggs and bacon chattered on the pan. His wife poured tea in plumes of rising steam. With a small thud, she piled more than half the eggs onto his plate and smacked a wedge of toast beside them. Eat up. Use your fork.

Did I do something wrong, Mary? Richard asked, gentle as a dove.

We did, you and Iwe brought them up wrong. Mary sat beside him and poked her fork at her own breakfast without hunger.

Our two grew up. We denied ourselves, always, so theyd have enough. The times demanded it. We supported them, but who will support us? Not even a kind word. Never-ending troubles: either lifes too dull, or they can never make the money last. Claire, Samuelalways complaining.

How do you know that?

Richard buttered his toast in slow, fond swirls, then added strawberry jam with devotion.

Easy for you; they always write to me, their mother. Samuel wanted to take his family bowling last night, asked for a loan until payday. I lost patience and refused. He was crushed. And Claire rang just before thather singing careers battered, shes all gloom. Its all too much! Love singing? Sing for pleasure, but you still have to work. She wants her voice to feed her, but it never does. Not everyone can, she must see sense and find a proper job! They used to be thick as thieves as childrennow they hardly speak!

Mary pushed away the cooling eggs and tucked her hands around her teacup.

Dont fret so, Richard murmured, seeking to soothe her, itll all come right. Remember, we were young once too.

Oh, dont talk nonsense, Richard. Think what it was like! We lived within our means and were grateful. When Samuel was bornpure joy. A friend gave me the pram and cot, my sister passed on vests, shawls, and slippers from her eldest. All secondhand, but spotlesschildren outgrow things rolling fast as clouds. We were happy, wildly so. When we finally bought the Ford Cortina, we were proud as lords. Put a carport up ourselves, felt like royalty! Now our two think if they havent been abroad, their lives are failures. Where did that come from? Did we teach them such foolishness?

These days there are temptations everywhere, Mary. Theyre young. Give them time and theyll see.

What if time runs thin, Richard? Theyll fritter everything away chasing gold, not noticing lifes passed them by. Sometimes I glare at the mirror, and whos therea granny! And you, a grandad…

Their conversation splintered as the phone shrilled. It was Samuel.

Again? Mary sighed, answering. As she listened, her eyes ballooned wide and she leapt from her chair.

Richard, get dressed, quickSamuels in hospital! His neighbour from the ward called.

What happened? Richard was already darting about, searching for trousers and shoes.

I didnt catch it fully. He was using an angle grinder at work, blade shattered and cut his handperhaps the whole wrist. Theyre trying to save it. I pray they do! Lets go.

In a fluster, two parents rushed out, not young but not yet old, their eyes brimming with worry.

As they hurried, a call from Claire blinked across the air. Mum, mind if I pop round for lunch later?

Come, love, we should be back by then! Mary panted, barely catching a breath, words floating behind her as she ran after Richard for the number 23 bus.

The hospital was a labyrinth of linoleum and humming lights, but they welcomed reassuranceSamuels hand had been saved, though visitors were forbidden awhile.

If were not allowed in, Im not leaving. Ill wait, Mary declared, sinking into a plastic chair. Richard settled, arms folded, beside her.

Suddenly, through glass doors arrived Claire, flying over the linoleum, tumbling straight into their arms.

Mum, why do you look so shattered? Its all fine! Samuel took an extra job last night, fixing someones carthe bolts were stuck, the grinder slipped, a nick, not a slice. Hes stitched up, fingers move. You both look tragiceverythings really all right!

How do you know? Mary breathed out.

Im always messaging Samuel, and his Lucy. We help each other, always diddidnt you know?

We thought youd stopped talking altogether! Richard blurted.

Oh, Dad! Claire grinned. Youre so sturdy, so capablewhy should we burden you more? You both look so young, you should be living for yourselves now, not trailing after us.

What a picture you paint, Mary smiled in return, rubbing her daughters arms. I thought youd all forgotten us.

No, Mum! Your lots made from some indestructible English stuff. We try to be like you, even if its not always easy, Dad. But we try, we do.

So the worry melted, and their gaze softened.

Mum, Dadoh! I meant to tell you, Ive found work. And now I even sing at events! Schools, or yesterday it was a care home; they clapped till their hands were pink. One lady criedher own daughters a famous singer, always touring, so shes left her mum there… its awful.

Suddenly Claire pulled them into a hug. We love you, Mum and Dad. Dont ever think otherwise

Just then, a nurse appeared, waving them through for a quick visit with Samuel. Mary almost wept, but Samuel, weary and bandaged, was calm.

Mum, pleaseenough tears. The worst is behind. Dont worry. Dad, you remember the time a wasps nest was in the carport? You got stung so much you wound up in hospital, near death! Things happen. Once Im home, come around for New Years, all of youits all been such a flap, and we see little of one another. Claire wants to introduce her new chap as wellyou hadnt heard that yet, had you?

Walking home, Mary and Richard went on foot, letting fresh English air clear their minds.

Not young, yet not old, two parents wanderingand wondering.

Ah, a parents heartalways thrumming for their children. Other peoples offspring seem perfectly ordinary, but you want yours to be better, wiser, more dutiful.

Yet children always find their own path, no matter how it winds. And in the endthey are ours, and that is what matters most.