Gathering Everyone at Home
Emma Greenwood put aside her tablet and picked up the phone. Gran, how are you feeling today? Good? And Granddad? Well, if hes frying up potatoes, things must be all right. Ive finished work for the day, Ill pick up Danny from his club, stop by the shop, and well be home soon.
Afterwards, Emma dialed another number. James! Hello, Im heading home. Are you and Rosie on your way already? Brilliant, Granddads doing potatoes, so well all have dinner together.
Emma stood up and tucked her things neatly into her handbag. She called out to her colleagues, Bye, everyone! Im off, see you tomorrow!
Goodbye, Emma, have a lovely evening!
She quickly changed out of her shoes under the desk, threw on her mac, and glanced out of the window into the gathering dusk. It was a mild autumn evening, the streetlights twinkling as people bustled home after work. She caught her reflection, smiledfunny, shed never imagined shed one day live such a normal, everyday life. That shed have a family, and, just like anyone else, would hurry home at nightto a place where she was truly wanted. Not long ago, she was certain this could never happen for her.
Her family was, perhaps, a little unusual, but they all cared deeply for each other and found real happiness together.
Emmas mother had left her at birthdisappearing from the maternity ward without a backward glance. The form from the childrens home stated: Mother unidentified, no documents, no father. Other people gave the baby her name. Her surname, Greenwood, was chosen as she arrived in spring. As for Emma, nobody really remembered why. She always found herself among boys, her best friend was Harrya year her senior, also named Greenwood for the same reason. Emma was always a dutiful student, eager to please, hard-working. She wished, desperately, that a family would choose her. She only knew about home and parents from what she saw in films. Perhaps she was too gawky or awkward for someone to pick her, or perhaps it was simply bad luck. When Harry was adopted, Emma spent the night in tearsnot from jealousy, but because shed lost her one true friend.
He looked at her through his thick glasses. Emma, shall I refuse them?
Dont be daft, Harry! Who refuses something like that? Go, its your fate.
Ill find you, I promise! Harry swore, but Emma only laughedshe hardly believed it mattered.
Emma finished school, then went on to study construction, living in a hostel. When she completed her training, the council gave her a small flat on the outskirts of townas she was a care leaver. It wasnt much, but no matter! She got a job in an architecture firm, starting her grown-up life in earnest. She made friends at work, figured she was still too young for a family of her own. Still, she dreamt of a big house, a loving husband, and childrentwo, or even threerunning about, laughing, calling out Mum! Dad! She longed for those warm, simple words: Mum and Dad. Opening the door to children shouting, Mum! Dads here!like something out of a fairy tale.
One day, as she approached her block, the door flew open and a young man rushed out, nearly bowling her over, clutching a bag. Inside, an old lady was lying on the steps.
My pension My bag He pushed me over. My glasses, where are my glasses? I cant see a thing!
Emma hurried after him, but hed vanished. She helped the old lady upthankfully, she wasnt badly hurt.
How could anyone do such a thing, my dear? What sort of person? the woman wept.
Emma took her upstairs, to her husband, bedridden and frail, and started visiting more often, bringing groceries as their pension had been stolen. The police never did catch the thief, though Emma was sure shed remember his face. The bag, minus the money, was later found outside the blockthank goodness for small mercies.
Emma visited Granny Margaret more and more often. Granddad Arthur was seen to by doctors, and perked up a bit. The old couple grew to love Emma, calling her their granddaughter and inviting her in whenever she passed.
It was on the bus one day that Emma met a young man. She felt his gaze, saw his smile.
You seem familiarhave we met? he asked.
Emma laughed, I dont believe so. He was charming and, as he walked her from the stop to her place, managed to share nearly everything about himself. His name was Mike, he still lived with his mum, he had steady work. It almost felt as if theyd known each other before. Mike started meeting Emma after work. One day, she invited him inside, made tea, some sandwiches, and found herself talkingtelling him about life in care. Mike listened; he wanted to talk, but hesitated, perhaps pitying her. She liked Mike, but felt a nagging unease.
One evening, she went to make the tea. He stood behind her, put his arms around her.
Mike, maybe we shouldnt rush things? she started.
He only tightened his grip, thensomething changed. Emma screamed, and Mikes eyes flashed with anger.
So youre the care home girl they warned me about. Helped out those old folk, and they told me who you are. Saw the police sketch tooI barely got away last time. Make a peep now and youll pay for itwhod believe a girl like you?
Emma didnt go to the policeshe feared the attention. Not long after, she was rushed from work in an ambulance. Ectopic pregnancy, complications; the doctors said she might not be able to have children.
Granny Margaret nursed Emma through those bleak days, whispering comfort, feeding her homemade broth and herbal teas. When Emma left hospital, she found herself lostwhat now, and why? She stopped talking as much, wandered the streets until her feet brought her to the local abbey as the autumn wanedthe skies vast and blue, the bells pealing over the town, gardens being put to bed for winter.
Greenwood, Emma? A voice called out. She turnedto see one of the abbey workers grinning with sheer delight.
Emma! I was looking for you!
Harry, is it really you? Emma recognised him at last. She hugged him, tears streaming. Harry gently wiped her face.
Come, lets go to the refectory. The porridge is good tonight, and pies, and tea. Then well talk.
Emma hardly remembered how she told Harry everything from the depths of her heart, and he her. How hed been adopted, beaten for every small mistake by his stepfather, then ran away, injuring his leg and finding refuge at the abbey, where he finally found peace.
Heading home, Emma pondered how everything had shifted for the better since finding Harry again. She hadnt wanted to return homeshed spent days at the abbey, and thats when plans were made. Granny Margaret and Granddad Arthur had long offered to leave Emma their flat, but the young pair came up with something more wonderful.
Granny Margaret and Granddad Arthur were overjoyed by Emma and Harrys suggestionthey would all live together. The old couple never imagined anyone would want to share their lives with them, in their twilight years.
Now, for five years, Emma and Harry Greenwood had been married. They found a larger place on the edge of town, space enough for everyone. Granny Margaret and Granddad Arthur thrived, assuming their new roles as the heads of this bustling homesurrounded now by family. Two years ago, Emmas dream finally came truethey adopted two children, Danny and Rosie, from the same childrens home where they had grown up.
Harry, do you remember how we used to hope, waiting for someone to take us hometo give us a family of our own? Emma chattered, joyful. Look into their eyeslets promise well be the kind of parents we always wished for ourselves.
Now the days ring with:
Mum, wheres Dad? Granny, come here, look what weve built with Granddad!
Emma doesnt like to dwell on the hard times. Granny Margaret did quietly tell her, once, that their tormentor had finally been caught for another crime, convicted, and was serving a long sentence.
So, in the end, we all receive our due in this lifeand in the life Everlasting.
