How could she come to my house and frighten my children? I shouted at her, “Get out of here!”
My mother had only one eye. I despised her, for her condition filled me with shame. To put bread on the table for our family, she worked as a cook at the school. One day, when I was still in primary school, she came to visit me. My stomach twisted in horror. How could she do this? The embarrassment burned through me. I pretended not to see her, glared at her with hatred, and ran away. The next day, one of my classmates sneered, “Oi, your mums got just the one eye, then.” I wished the ground would swallow me whole. I wanted her to vanish. So, when I saw her next, I spat, “Wouldnt it be better if you just died? Then you wouldnt make a fool of me.”
She said nothing. I hadnt even thought before speakinganger had swallowed my reason. Her feelings meant nothing to me. I didnt want her in my home. I worked hard, left for London to study, and never looked back. Later, I married, bought my own house, had children of my own, and was content. Then, one day, my mother appeared at my doorstep. After all those years, she had never met her grandchildren. When the children saw her, they shrieked with laughter. How dare she come here and frighten them? I roared, “Get out!”
Quietly, she replied, “Forgive me. I must have the wrong house,” and vanished from sight.
Some time later, a letter arrived from my old school about a reunion. I told my wife I was away on business. After the event, curiosity led me back to our old home. The neighbours told me my mother had passed. I felt nothing. They handed me a letter she had left behind.
“My dearest son, I have thought of you always. I am sorry for coming to London and frightening your children. My heart leapt when I heard you might attend the reunion, but I did not know if I could rise from my sickbed to see you. I am sorry that my presence brought you shame as you grew. You see, my child, when you were small, there was an accident, and you lost an eye. I could not bear the thought of you growing up like me. So, I gave you mine. And now, I take comfort knowing you see the world through it. With all my love, your mother.”
