Did you really miss your own sons wedding? Lucy Victor shouts from the doorway, arms crossed, her eyes blazing with righteous anger. Milly doesnt even glance up from her mug.
Sit down, its hot, Lucy says, stepping into the kitchen and plopping onto the chair opposite.
What tea? Milly asks, sipping, staring out the window. Its already halfpast one. In an hour Arthur will walk down the aisle and youre still?
Im not going anywhere, Milly replies, finishing her tea. Dont try to convince me.
Lucy falls silent, studying her friends face. Theyve been buddies since school, forty years, and Lucy knows Milly like the back of her hand. This, though, catches her off guard.
Whats happened? she asks softly. You seemed to have patched things up after that argument.
Milly smirks.
He called two days ago and said, Come if you want, Mum, if you want. As if Im just heading to a market, not my sons wedding.
Maybe he was just being casual? Lucy suggests.
Milly turns to her, tears glistening. Im fortynine. I raised him alone, no husband. Two jobs, everything for himschool, doctors, sleepless nights when he was sick. And now Im a burden, an unwanted extra.
Lucy reaches out, covering Millys hand.
Tell me everything, from the start.
Milly pours tea for Lucy, fetches biscuits, sighs heavily and begins.
It started six months ago. Arthur introduced me to Kristen. Tall, slim, striking. I was thrilledfinally my sons in a serious relationship, hes twentyseven. I said, Come over, lets get to know each other, Ill make dinner.
Whats she like?
She walked in, looked around, and you could tell she wasnt impressed. Our flat is a modest twobedroom terraced house, old furniture, wallpaper thats seen better days, but its clean. I spent the whole day tidying, baked scones.
Milly pauses, remembering the night. Shed put on her best blouse, did her hair, set the table with her grandmothers china.
Kristen perched on the edge of a chair, as if afraid to get dirty. She smiled, but her eyes were cold. I asked what she does. I work in marketing, running projects, she replied, then added, Your Arthur is talented, a shame hes still in a regular job.
Lucy snorts.
At first I didnt get it. Then I realized shes implying I never helped him grow. Im a nurse at the local clinic, barely earning anything. Meanwhile Arthur has a degree, works as a programmer, earns a good salary, lives in a new development. Im proud of him.
Of course you are, Lucy nods. What happened next?
We ate, she kept talking about herselfhow successful she is, how much she earns. Then she asked, Milly, have you ever thought of moving into a retirement home? They have good care and people your age.
Lucys eyebrows shoot up.
You cant be serious.
I was speechless. Arthur just stared at his plate. I said, Im fortyeight, a retirement home? I work, Im healthy. She laughed, Just thinking ahead, so I dont become a burden to you.
Milly rises, walks to the window. The sun is bright, spring in full swing, a beautiful May day. Somewhere Arthur is getting dressed for his wedding, nerves fluttering, while she sits here.
After that dinner they left. Arthur hugged me, said, Dont mind her, Mum, shes just practical. Practical, as if she were a sofa to be thrown out.
Did you say anything?
I called him later, told him exactly what I thought. He got angry, said I was jealous, that I should learn to let go, that hes an adult and can decide who to live with.
Lucy shakes her head.
Kids can be cruel, they dont understand.
We fought. He didnt call for a month. I thought Id lost him forever. Then he showed up, asked forgiveness, said he loves me and Ill always be the most important person in his life. I believed him.
Milly returns to the table, finishes the nowcold tea.
A month later they announce an engagement. Arthur calls, Mum, were getting married! I congratulated him, asked when. He said, Soon, weve already booked a restaurant. Come Saturday, well talk details.
And you went?
I went. Their flat is big, bright, freshly renovated, new furniture. Kristen greeted me coldly, like a health inspector. She led me to the living room, offered no tea.
Lucy clicks her tongue.
Rude.
They showed me a guest listseventy people. None of my friends. I asked, What about my friend Lucy? He and Kristen looked at each other, said, Mum, we have limited seats, only close friends and colleagues. I stayed quiet while they described the banquet hall, the pricey menu. I sat there wondering where I fit in.
A flock of sparrows darts past the window, landing on an old poplar branch. Arthur used to feed them breadcrumbs when he was a boy, laughing as they swarmed.
Then Kristen says, Milly, we need to talk about a loan for the wedding. Well pay part of it, but we could use extra money.
Lucy jumps up. She asked you to take a loan for their wedding?
Yes. I thought Id heard wrong. I asked, Seriously? I earn thirty thousand pounds a year; no bank would give me a loan. And why should I when you both earn well? She said theyre saving for a bigger flat in the city centre and that parents usually foot the bill.
Lucys face flushes with indignation.
I looked at Arthur, he avoided my gaze. He seemed to agree with her, as if I should pay for a wedding Im not even invited to.
Millys legs shake as she walks around the kitchen. I refused. I told them, Youre adults, you earn your own money. Ill help where I can, but I wont take a loan. Kristen pursed her lips, Its selfish of you to put your happiness above my sons.
What did Arthur say?
He stood, walked me to the door, said, Dont be angry, Mum. Kristen is used to her parents paying everything. I asked, And you? What do you think? He stammered, then said they wanted a lavish wedding but didnt have enough money. I could help.
Lucy pours more tea for both of them. They sit in silence. Such stories happen often when children marry, but when its your own son, silence is unbearable.
I left later, walked the street, crying. My neighbour Aunt Valerie from the flat above called, Milly, why are you so upset? I told her everything. She said, You know Kristen tells the neighbours that youre a lazy mother, that youre holding them back.
Really?
Absolutely. Valerie heard Kristen on the lift complaining about you, saying its shameful to invite you to the wedding and that shell see you less afterwards.
Milly covers her face with her hands, the memory painful. I didnt call Arthur right away. I waited, hoping hed explain. A week passed, then a message: Mum, the wedding is this Saturday. Ill send the invitation.
And he sent it?
An email with a link and the restaurant address, no warm words, no phone call. I realised he no longer sees me as his mother, but as an obligation to get rid of.
Lucy sighs. Maybe Kristen is the influence? Maybe hes just being passive?
Hes twentyseven, a grown man. If he wanted to protect you, he would. But he stays silent, so it must be easier for him.
Music drifts from the next flat, TVs flick on. Milly checks the clockhalf past two. Guests must be gathering now. Kristen, in a white dress, is nervous, Arthur is fidgeting. Shes not there.
Did you call him? Told him you wouldnt go? Lucy asks.
Yesterday I said, I wont attend. He was silent, then asked why. I said, Because Im not wanted, Im a burden. He tried to justify, We do want you, Mum, but I pressed, Is this what Kristen wants? He whispered, If you want, come.
If you want, Lucy repeats. What a phrase.
Exactly. I realised I dont want to sit among strangers feeling like a nuisance. I dont want Kristens condescending stare. I dont want to pretend everythings fine.
Milly gets up, walks to the fridge, pulls out the pastries she baked yesterday. Eat one, she offers Lucy, the cabbage ones you love. Lucy takes a pastry but doesnt eat, placing it on the plate, looking at Milly.
Do you regret not going? Its a onceinalifetime event.
Milly hesitates. I wish Id been there, to see my boy walk down the aisle, to hug him, to wish the couple a long happy life. But it would have hurt more to be tolerated rather than welcomed.
Youve given thirty years of your life to him, Lucy says. Now you feel lost, as if the boy you raised has vanished.
Milly nods. Im not angry at him, just hurt. Hes alive, healthy, nearby, but for me hes a stranger now.
Lucy stands, embraces Milly. Tears finally spill, quiet sobs as Milly clings to her shoulder. She mourns lost hopes, broken dreams, the lack of a thankyou from her own son.
Maybe it can still be fixed, Lucy whispers, rubbing Millys back. Maybe hell realize and change.
Milly pulls away, eyes red. Kristen isnt going to change. Shell keep pulling him away. I know that. Ive seen it.
They sit in the kitchen, drinking lukewarm tea in silence. Eventually Lucy leaves, promising to check back tonight. Milly remains alone in the empty flat, turns on the TV but cant watch. Memories of Arthur as a child flood backbringing dandelions, drawing cards for Mothers Day, whispering Mum, I love you more than anything.
Where is that boy now?
The phone rings sharply. Milly sees Arthurs name, stares at the screen, then lets it go to voicemail. A text pops up: Mum, why arent you answering? The wedding has started. Everyones asking where you are. She reads it, puts the phone down, and texts back: Wishing you happiness. Take care of yourself.
More messages buzz, but she doesnt look. She walks to the bedroom, lies down, the silence pressing on her ears, thoughts swirling. Did she do the right thing? Should she have gone for the sake of propriety?
No. Shes spent her whole life doing things for othersArthur, work, keeping everyone happy. Its time to live for herself.
That evening Lucy calls, asks how she is. Milly says shes fine, asks Lucy not to visit, needs some alone time. She goes to bed early, but sleep evades her. She lies in the dark, listening to traffic and a distant dog barking, wondering what the future holds, how she and Arthur will relate, if they ever will.
At dawn a knock sounds at the door. Arthur stands there, suit rumpled, eyes red from a sleepless night. May I come in? he asks softly.
Milly steps aside, lets him in. He sits on the same chair Lucy used yesterday. Milly puts the kettle on, brings two cups. They sit opposite each other in heavy silence.
You didnt come, Arthur finally says.
I didnt.
Why?
Milly looks at himher son, grown yet still a stranger. Because I wasnt wanted, she replies simply. Because I realised Im no longer needed.
Mum, thats not true he begins.
Dont, Arthur. You know its true. You chose Kristen; thats your right. But dont pretend Im important if Im not.
Arthur covers his face with his hands. Im ashamed. Im ashamed, Mum.
Milly pours tea, places a cup before him. Yesterday I stood at the altar and wondered where my mother was. I realized it was my fault I let you be hurt. I stayed silent while Kristen said awful things. I put her wishes above yours.
Yes, Milly says. I did.
Forgive me, Arthur says, tears streaming. I was a fool, chasing a glossy picture, status, all that nonsense. I hurt the most important personmy mother.
Milly stays quiet, weighing his words. What did you tell Kristen? she asks.
I said if she doesnt learn to respect you, Ill leave her. I said it at the ceremony. She burst into tears, ran to the restroom, then came back apologising, promising to change. I dont know how sincere she is, but I made it clear that mother comes first.
Milly feels a warmth spread through her chest. Her son is back, even if just for a moment, and he stands up for her.
I want to fix everything, Arthur says, reaching across the table, gripping her hand. I want you to be part of my life, to see you, to love you as I always have.
Milly squeezes his hand. I love you too. It hurt, thats all.
I know. Ill make sure it never hurts again. I promise.
They sit, hands intertwined, the old resentment slowly melting. Scars will remain, trust will take time to rebuild, but the fact that Arthur finally sees her matters.
Kristen wants to talk to you, Arthur adds. She wants to apologise. Should she come in?
Milly hesitates. She doesnt really want to see her, but if they truly want to make amends, shell have to try.
Let her in, she decides. Well see.
Arthur smiles, the first genuine smile in days, and pulls Milly into a tight hug. She buries her face in his shoulder, feeling the boy she raised, the man she loves, finally acknowledging her.
The phone buzzes. A message from Lucy: How did it go? Milly types back, Arthur visited. I think things will be okay.
Life is unpredictablepainful one day, hopeful the next. The key is not losing hope and remembering that even in the toughest moments theres a way out, sometimes in places you never expected.
Milly gets up, goes to the kitchen, pulls out flour, eggs, sugar, and decides to bake a cake. She knows Arthur and Kristen will likely drop by later, and at least there will be something sweet on the table. The wounds arent healed yet, but the first step toward reconciliation is taken. She has stood up for herself, refused to be a silent sacrifice, and that feels right.
She writes a quick text to Lucy: Arthur was here. Looks like things are moving forward. The future is still unwritten, but Milly finally feels shes no longer just an extra in someone elses story. Shes her own person, worthy of respect, and that is a truth worth holding onto.
