In the dim haze of a dream, the words slithered like shadows
*Son, think hard before its too late! That boy is nothing like you! Your Alice probably had him with her ex and now wants you to raise him! I just know it!*
*Mum, enough! Oliver is my son… Why must you always stir trouble? Right, Im heading home.*
Margaret had raised her boy alone. Between her and Edward, everything had been perfecthe never disrespected her, never talked back, always excelled in school. By the time hed grown, hed become an engineer, just as shed wished. Now it was time to settle his heart. Margaret had picked his bridea lovely young woman, Evelyn, daughter of her dearest friend Beatrice.
Edward and Evelyn, pressed by his mother, began seeing each other, but the spark never caught. After months of strained courtship, they parted ways. Then Edward met Clara. Their love burned fasthe saw in her a mind like his own. They married within three months, much to Margarets horror. Six months later, Clara was pregnant. A boy was bornOliver. All could have been perfect, if not for the mother-in-law who despised her. Every visit was laced with venom, even four years after the wedding:
*Look what shes done to you! Youre always so scruffy…*
*Mum, Im not scruffy! The shirt wrinkled in the wash…*
*Sit, eat something! That wife of yours probably hasnt cooked a thing, leaving you starved.*
*Mum, Ill eat at home. Clara cooks well.*
*Oh, I know hersupermarket steaks or, worse, tinned spaghetti. Meanwhile, Evelyns taken pastry classes. Now thats talent…*
Edward weathered her storms as best he could. He ignored her jabs, never passing them to Clara, who didnt deserve them. But Margaret waged her quiet war. Then, one day, her words found purchase.
*Son… why does Clara never visit? You always come alone!*
*Mum, how could she when you snipe at her every moment?*
*Id only snipe if she gave me reason! And while youre here sipping tea, I bet shes off with that ex of hersthat good-for-nothing Christopher! That boy looks just like him. She had him before you, and now youre footing the bill!*
That night, Edward fought bitterly with his mother. Hed had enough. He trudged home in a foul mood.
*Dad! Dad, hello!* Oliver dashed to him.
*Hey, lad. What did you get up to today?*
*Mum took me to the park. We met Mr. Christopher. He bought me chocolate. And juice!*
A cold doubt slithered into Edwards mind. That evening, he confronted Clara.
*Why were you with your ex?*
*Edward, it was chance! We bumped into him while out walking. He walked us home.*
*Why should my wife and son need escorting by him? Maybe Oliver isnt even mine!*
*Edward, how can you say that? Are you serious?*
They argued violentlytheir first real fight. From then on, the house was never quiet. Eventually, Clara had enough. She packed her things, took Oliver, and returned to her parents.
Divorce came. Edward paid child support, convinced Oliver wasnt hisbut he never proved it, just accepted the cost. Margaret, triumphant, launched a campaign to reunite him with Evelyn, the *perfect daughter-in-law.*
She succeeded. Edward married Evelyn. But their union was a storm. She nagged endlessly, demanding luxury.
*Irenes husband bought her a second fur coat! The Harrisons just got a new Bentley! And here I am, a pauper in last years coat, driving a clunker! Are you even a man?*
Fifteen wretched years passed. Edward worked himself raw on two construction sites while Evelyn lounged at spas, indulging every whim. She refused children*Ill live for myself first.* Margaret tried to meddle, but Evelyn shut her down fast.
Then came the callMargaret had suffered a stroke. She needed round-the-clock care. Evelyn was blunt.
*I wont waste my days nursing her. Put her in a home.*
*Evelyn, maybe I should quit work*
*Are you mad? How would we live? Weve still got four years on my car loan!*
Margaret was warehoused. Edward returned to work. A month later, she was gone. He returned for the funeralbut so grief-stricken, he forgot to tell Evelyn. Unlocking the door, he frozehis wife in the arms of their neighbour. Edward said nothing. He packed a bag and moved into his mothers flat.
After the funeral, he stewed in regret. A wasted lifeno family, no children, no friends. Not even a carEvelyn had taken it all. In his haze, he thought of Clara. Of Oliver. Was the boy even his? Did it matter now?
*Oliver must be nineteen a man. Whats he like?* Edward whispered to the empty air.
The next morning, he bought a train ticket to Claras hometown. The house was easy to find. He rang the bellno answer. *At work,* he thought, waiting outside. Twenty minutes later, he turnedand nearly collapsed. A young man approachedhis mirror image, twenty years younger.
*Oliver Oliver my boy.*
*You? What are you doing here?* Olivers voice was ice.
*Son, I owe you an apology You look just like me. Wheres your mum?*
*Shes gone. Ten years now. A car crash.*
*And you? Who do you live with? Let me helpIll do anything! Just ask!*
*Gran and I are fine. We want nothing from you.*
*But son*
Edward couldnt finish. Oliver vanished inside, slamming the door.
*Oliver! Open up! How can this be? Im your father! Your father!*
For hours, Edward wept against the door. Was it rain or tears? He returned again and again, begging, explainingbut Oliver refused.
In the end, the door stayed shut. Forever.
