Why have you come to see me, Mum? You spent your whole life helping Claire. Now go and ask her for help! my son declared coldly, not even inviting me in. Michael stood in the doorway, his words sharp and his eyes distant.
Son, wont you let your own mother inside? My voice quivered and, unable to hold back my tears, I started crying. He didnt even soften, and was about to close the door in my face when Charlottemy daughter-in-lawcalled out from inside:
Michael, who are you talking to? she asked as she came into the hallway.
Mum? Its you? Charlottes surprise was genuine. Why are you standing in the cold? Please, come in.
With a flick of his hand, Michael turned on his heel and walked away, his back rigid. I stood in the hall, hurriedly taking off my shoes. Charlottes warmth gave me a glimmer of hope; I had come to them for a very important conversation.
Looking back, I know I have wronged my son, though only now do I realise just how much. I have two children: Michael and my daughter Claire. Somehow, I spent years helping Claire, to the point where I barely considered my son.
I always thought Michael could get on just fine. He seemed strong, independent, resourceful. But I now see that most of his achievements were driven by a desire to show me he didnt need either my support or my money.
I did have money. I had been working in London for nearly two decades, doing housekeeping and whatever else I could find. But all my help went to Claire. I regret it now, especially because Claire never really appreciated what I did for her. When I needed her most, she simply turned her back on me.
I went to London when Michael was 18 and Claire was 16. The children stayed with my mother. Their father had left years ago, so it was just the three of us scraping by. Our life was so hard that working abroad seemed like the only lifeline.
The first pounds I sent home started mending the house. Mum was delighted when I managed to get hot water and a proper loo fitted.
Not long after, Claire announced her engagement. I thought she was too young at 19, but didnt try to talk her out of it. Her fiancé was a local lad from our village, and soon enough the newlyweds moved in with us.
Michael and Claires husband never got along, and before long Michael proposed to a girl from the city and left. Charlotte grew up in a care home herself. The council gave her a small room in a shared house, and thats where they made their start together.
Claire made it clear who I should support: Mum, I stayed at home. So I should have whatever you send, she declared.
Michael never grumbled and never once asked for money, which suited me fine. All the pounds I scraped together each month went to Claire, who spent as she pleased. Meanwhile Michael was off, working, doing his best for his little family.
Things became even more complicated after my mother passed away. Claire divorced her husband soon after. She was always strong-willed; once she decided on something, that was that.
What will you do now? I asked her one day, after the divorce.
Ill go to London with you, she told me.
So, off we went. But Claire wasnt interested in hard work. Shed clean a house here and there, but most of her earnings went on rent and food. I was lucky thoughI worked as a housekeeper with a room provided, so I could save most of my wages. But that meant Claire would take whatever I had left over. She got it into her mind we should buy a flat in London.
As she had no intentions of coming home, she convinced me to sell our cottage, adding the proceeds to my savings. It still wasnt enough. Claire almost took out a loan for the difference, but then remarried. Her new husband contributed the outstanding sum, and they moved into a small flat together.
While I was working, I didnt dwell too much on the future, although perhaps I should have. It caught up with me when I fell ill and was unable to continue. I asked Claire if I could stay with her, as wed always agreed, but she coldly informed me their place was too small and that I ought to get better and go back to work.
I wouldnt hear of it. I returned home to England, but really, I didnt have a home at all, since our house was sold. All that remained was a large plot of land in the villageabout 2 acres. But unless I was to sell it or somehow build a home there, I was stuck, and who was to say where Id find the money for either?
So I gathered myself and came to Michael, hoping he would help me sell the land. After that, I truly didnt know what would happen.
Michael was still so hurt that he could barely speak to me. Yet Charlotte welcomed me in, and it was thanks to her that things took a turn.
Mum, weve been looking for a plot of land to build a house on, Charlotte said thoughtfully. If you agree, we could start building there. Once the house is finished, you could live with us.
Michael grumbled at first, but soon enough he came around to the idea, and by evening hed forgotten he was ever angry with me.
Charlotte wouldnt let me go anywhere. She fed me a warm dinner and made up a bed for me. Tomorrow morning, well go see the doctor and get you checked out, she said.
Charlotte why do you do all this for me? I asked, my voice trembling.
She smiled softly. I never had a real mother. Now I finally do.
Thats how life turned out for memy own daughter turned her back on me, but my daughter-in-law took me in as her own.
