Emily, at 35, reckoned she might never taste the sort of happiness that comes with being a woman, but fate, as it tends to do, had other notions altogether. She and Brian got together when they were both nudging forty. By then Brian had been a widower for three years already. Emily had never been married, yet she had a son. As the old saying goes, shed had him just for herself. In her younger days shed been involved with a handsome, dark-haired chap called Oliver, whod sworn hed marry her and charmed the young Emily completely. She swallowed his promises, which later proved to be nothing but empty words. It turned out this admirer from the nearby town was already married.
Olivers lawful wife even came round to Emily to beg the girl not to wreck another family. The young and inexperienced Emily gave in. Still, she decided to keep the baby. And so it happened. Emily gave birth to Jack. The lad became her one true comfort and joy. He turned out well-mannered and did nicely at school. After finishing, he went off to university to study economics. Brian paid Emily a few visits. He suggested they move in together. She kept hesitating, though she rather liked him. Emily felt a bit awkward about her son and the very idea of finally being happy.
One evening Jack had a proper talk with his mum. He said he was fine with it: Mum, Ill be leaving home soon enough anyway. Brians a steady sort. Just so long as he doesnt give you any bother. The main thing is you get to be happy. Brians own son didnt mind either. So they settled down together. They got married and held a small do.
Emily worked at the village library while Brian was a farmer. They did everything side by side. They kept the household running, tended a few animals and worked the vegetable patch. They loved and respected one another, though it was a shame they never had children of their own. Both sons married and in time there were grandchildren. Every holiday they put together little parcels for the children and grandkids: fresh eggs, milk, cream, a bit of pork and chicken, all from their own place. On special occasions their house filled with guests. Brian and Emily would sit at the table, quietly pleased they had people to share the day with.
Only in the evenings, when the elderly pair got into bed, each would quietly hope to leave this world first and never have to feel alone. The years did what they always do. One morning trouble crept in. Emily started feeling poorly while she was putting a stew on the stove in the kitchen. The older woman collapsed. Brian, with help from the neighbours, called an ambulance. The doctors said shed had a stroke. Everything else was working, except she could no longer walk.
Jack and his wife came to visit his mother. He left some pounds for the medicines and then went back. Brian hired a car, and when his wife was discharged he and a neighbour carried her into the house. Itll be all right, he told her, you just keep living. Sit there and talk to me if thats what it takes. Just stay. Ill manage everything. Only dont leave me, my love. Brian looked after her well. After a month she could sit in a chair. She helped in the kitchen. They still did things together: peeling potatoes and carrots, sorting beans. They even baked bread. In the evenings they talked about how theyd get through the winter ahead. Brian no longer had the strength to split logs.
Perhaps the children could take us in for the winter, they wondered, and then in spring and summer we could cope on our own. One weekend Jack arrived with his wife. His daughter-in-law Sarah looked round the room and declared, Well have to split you up, you two. Well come for Mum next week. Ill get a room ready. Then well be back. But what about me? Brian whispered awkwardly. Weve never been apart. Kids, how can this be? That was before, when you still had the strength for the farm and could look after yourselves, Sarah said. Now its different. Let your son take you in as well. Nobodys going to take the pair of you together.
Jack and his wife drove home. Brian and Emily sighed heavily and wondered what to do next. As they fell asleep each one quietly hoped they wouldnt wake up, so they wouldnt have to face any of it. The following weekend both sons turned up. They started packing things. Brian sat by Emilys bed. He kept looking at her, remembering their younger years, and wept. He leaned close to his ailing wife and whispered, Forgive me, Emily, for how its all turned out. We must have missed something in bringing up the children. Theyre dividing us like a pair of stray kittens. Im sorry. I love you. Emily tried to reach out and touch his cheek but hadnt the strength. Brian left, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. Once he was in the car he didnt bother wiping them anymore.
Then the son, his wife and a neighbour began bundling Emily. They wrapped her in a blanket and carried her out of the house feet first. The sick woman thought it was rather fitting. Emily didnt struggle; the will had gone out of her the moment Brian left. She simply wished she wouldnt last till evening. A week passed. On a fine autumn day their quiet wish came true. Emily and Brian found each other again in the world beyond.Emily, at 35, reckoned she might never taste the sort of happiness that comes with being a woman, but fate, as it tends to do, had other notions altogether. She and Brian got together when they were both nudging forty. By then Brian had been a widower for three years already. Emily had never been married, yet she had a son. As the old saying goes, shed had him just for herself. In her younger days shed been involved with a handsome, dark-haired chap called Oliver, whod sworn hed marry her and charmed the young Emily completely. She swallowed his promises, which later proved to be nothing but empty words. It turned out this admirer from the nearby town was already married.
Olivers lawful wife even came round to Emily to beg the girl not to wreck another family. The young and inexperienced Emily gave in. Still, she decided to keep the baby. And so it happened. Emily gave birth to Jack. The lad became her one true comfort and joy. He turned out well-mannered and did nicely at school. After finishing, he went off to university to study economics. Brian paid Emily a few visits. He suggested they move in together. She kept hesitating, though she rather liked him. Emily felt a bit awkward about her son and the very idea of finally being happy.
One evening Jack had a proper talk with his mum. He said he was fine with it: Mum, Ill be leaving home soon enough anyway. Brians a steady sort. Just so long as he doesnt give you any bother. The main thing is you get to be happy. Brians own son didnt mind either. So they settled down together. They got married and held a small do.
Emily worked at the village library while Brian was a farmer. They did everything side by side. They kept the household running, tended a few animals and worked the vegetable patch. They loved and respected one another, though it was a shame they never had children of their own. Both sons married and in time there were grandchildren. Every holiday they put together little parcels for the children and grandkids: fresh eggs, milk, cream, a bit of pork and chicken, all from their own place. On special occasions their house filled with guests. Brian and Emily would sit at the table, quietly pleased they had people to share the day with.
Only in the evenings, when the elderly pair got into bed, each would quietly hope to leave this world first and never have to feel alone. The years did what they always do. One morning trouble crept in. Emily started feeling poorly while she was putting a stew on the stove in the kitchen. The older woman collapsed. Brian, with help from the neighbours, called an ambulance. The doctors said shed had a stroke. Everything else was working, except she could no longer walk.
Jack and his wife came to visit his mother. He left some pounds for the medicines and then went back. Brian hired a car, and when his wife was discharged he and a neighbour carried her into the house. Itll be all right, he told her, you just keep living. Sit there and talk to me if thats what it takes. Just stay. Ill manage everything. Only dont leave me, my love. Brian looked after her well. After a month she could sit in a chair. She helped in the kitchen. They still did things together: peeling potatoes and carrots, sorting beans. They even baked bread. In the evenings they talked about how theyd get through the winter ahead. Brian no longer had the strength to split logs.
Perhaps the children could take us in for the winter, they wondered, and then in spring and summer we could cope on our own. One weekend Jack arrived with his wife. His daughter-in-law Sarah looked round the room and declared, Well have to split you up, you two. Well come for Mum next week. Ill get a room ready. Then well be back. But what about me? Brian whispered awkwardly. Weve never been apart. Kids, how can this be? That was before, when you still had the strength for the farm and could look after yourselves, Sarah said. Now its different. Let your son take you in as well. Nobodys going to take the pair of you together.
Jack and his wife drove home. Brian and Emily sighed heavily and wondered what to do next. As they fell asleep each one quietly hoped they wouldnt wake up, so they wouldnt have to face any of it. The following weekend both sons turned up. They started packing things. Brian sat by Emilys bed. He kept looking at her, remembering their younger years, and wept. He leaned close to his ailing wife and whispered, Forgive me, Emily, for how its all turned out. We must have missed something in bringing up the children. Theyre dividing us like a pair of stray kittens. Im sorry. I love you. Emily tried to reach out and touch his cheek but hadnt the strength. Brian left, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. Once he was in the car he didnt bother wiping them anymore.
Then the son, his wife and a neighbour began bundling Emily. They wrapped her in a blanket and carried her out of the house feet first. The sick woman thought it was rather fitting. Emily didnt struggle; the will had gone out of her the moment Brian left. She simply wished she wouldnt last till evening. A week passed. On a fine autumn day their quiet wish came true. Emily and Brian found each other again in the world beyond.
