For He Is All of You
“Three years, Eleanor,” Marina’s voice trembled with barely restrained indignation. “Three years you’ve hounded me for a grandchild, scolded me for taking too long. And now, in front of everyone, you dote only on Paul, your daughter’s son. But my Alexhe is your grandson too! Or have you forgotten?”
Eleanor adjusted her immaculate coiffure and regarded her daughter-in-law with icy superiority. Behind her, in the drawing room, childrens laughter and music carried onPauls birthday celebration undisturbed.
“And when you ignore Alex, when you deny him the gifts you lavish on the other,” Marina pressed on, “my boy *notices*. Hes ten now, Eleanor. Old enough to understandyou dont love him.”
The older woman scoffed, flicking her hand as though shooing a bothersome fly.
“Youre imagining things, Marina. I treat both grandsons the same. And really, must you pick *today* for theatrics?” Eleanor arched a disdainful brow. “My grandsons birthday, guests gatheredIve no time for your silly notions.” With that, she turned on her heel and swept back to the party, leaving Marina alone in the corridor.
A knot of grief and fury swelled in Marinas throat. She leaned against the wall, steadying herself. To his grandmother, her son was invisiblea pane of glass through which she gazed at worthier souls.
Drawing a breath, Marina returned to the festivities. The scene twisted her heart further: Eleanor fussed over Paul, cooing at his every word, stroking his hair, pressing sweets into his hands. Meanwhile, Alex stood pressed to the far wall, shoulders slumped, eyes dull with yearning as he watched. The longing in his face sent Marina rushing to sweep him away.
That evening, after Alex had fallen into an exhausted sleep, Marina sat beside her husband on the settee.
“Victor, we must speak of your mother,” she began. “The way she treats Alexits *wrong*. He understands. Hes hurting.”
Victor pinched the bridge of his nosea gesture Marina knew well. He did this when avoiding unpleasant truths.
“Youre overreacting, love,” he muttered. “I was the unfavored child toomy sister always came first. Alex will manage. Boys must toughen up. Besides, she loves him in her own way. Just… differently than Paul.”
Marina stared. How could he dismiss their sons pain so lightly?
—
A week later, Eleanor arrived unannounced. Alex, bent over his schoolwork at the kitchen table, brightened at the sight of herthen faltered, his expression shuttering.
“Alex, darling! Ive brought you treats!” Eleanor proclaimed, thrusting forward a handful of penny sweets. Marina noted the difference at once: for Paul, she bought fine chocolates.
“Thank you, Grandmother,” Alex murmured, accepting them without meeting her eyes.
Eleanor turned to Marina, triumphant. “You see? No favorites here. All this nonsense about unequal treatment.”
Alex lingered awkwardly before gathering his books. “Ill finish my lessons,” he whispered, vanishing to his room. Marinas throat tightened. Hed understood: his presence was an inconvenience.
Alone with her mother-in-law, Marina tried once more. Perhaps if she spoke of Alexs achievements…
“Eleanor, Alex won top marks in the maths Olympiad,” she said, pouring tea. “His teacher says hes brilliant.”
“Yes, very nice,” Eleanor replied absently, then brightened. “But Paul won the swimming championship last week! *First* in the borough! His coach says he could go professional!”
Marina gritted her teeth. “Lovely. But about Alexhes taken up drawing. His art master”
“Drawing? A trifle!” Eleanor cut in. “Now, *sport*thats real merit! Pauls so strong, so clevertop of his class in French, too! His master says such *rare* talent”
Marina slammed her palm on the table. Cups rattled.
“*Why?*” Her voice was razor-edged. “Why do you *do* this? You *begged* us for a grandson! And now”
Eleanors face soured, as if biting a lemon. Silence stretched before she spoke, grudging.
“I wanted *my* grandchild. *Proper* blood. But Alex…” She wrinkled her nose. “Hes *you*, through and through. Your mirror. Its uncanny.”
Marina froze. The words hung, absurd and grotesque.
“You… dont love him because he resembles *me*?”
Eleanor nodded, as if explaining the obvious. “I never approved of Victors choice. But I thoughtwell, at least shell bear sturdy children. Youve health enough. Yet *he*…” She waved a hand. “Your double. Your *walk*, your *face*ghastly.”
Marina sat rigid, disbelief ringing in her ears.
“Perhaps if you had another?” Eleanor mused, oblivious. “A proper grandson, one who takes after *our* side”
Marina shot to her feet. Her chair clattered to the floor. Darkness swam at the edges of her vision.
“*Another?* Have you lost your mind*Get out!*” she hissed, then louder: “*Out of my house! NOW!*”
Eleanor spluttered. “How *dare* you! This is *my sons* home!”
“*Ours*,” Marina snarled, flinging the door wide. “And Ill not let you poison my child another day. *Leave!*”
Eleanor, purple with rage, seized her handbag. “This isnt over, girl!” she spat before the door slammed shut.
Marina pressed her back to the wall, trembling.
—
That night, Victor listened in mounting horror as Marina recounted the exchange.
“She truly said that? She dislikes Alex for resembling *you*? And demanded another child?” His voice was hollow.
Marina nodded, tears falling at last. “Victor, how can she *wound* him so? Its monstrous!”
Victor pulled her close. “Enough,” he said firmly. “Were done with her. Alex comes first.”
—
Months passed. Life mended. Then came the final change: Marinas parents sold their cottage in the countryside and moved nearby.
“We missed you both,” her mother, Margaret, explained. “And you could use the help.”
Alex *blossomed* under their love. Their only grandson, cherished at last. His hesitant smile returned; his shoulders straightened.
On his eleventh birthday, Marinaagainst her better judgmentinvited Eleanor. Victors sisters family was not included.
Eleanor arrived with a small parcel. Alex unwrapped it to find a cheap tin soldierthe sort sold at market stalls.
“Thanks, Grandmother,” he said politely, then turned eagerly. “Can I open yours now, Gran? Grandad?”
Her parents exchanged a glance and handed Alex a large box. Inside was the drafting tablet hed longed for.
“Oh! *Thank you!*” He flung his arms around them. “*This* is the one I wanted!”
Eleanor sniffed. “Such extravagance. Youll spoil him.”
Margaret fixed her with a level gaze. “Alex has talent. This will nurture it.”
Eleanors mouth pursed as Alex dragged his father off to set it up, laughter trailing behind them.
Left alone with Marina, Eleanor seemed adrift.
“Something wrong?” Marina asked coolly.
Eleanor rallied. “Well, *Paul* recently”
“If you mention him,” Marina cut in, “leave. This is *Alexs* day. Ill not have it ruined.”
“But Paul is *clearly* superior!” Eleanor burst out. “Stronger, brighter”
Marina rose, strode to the door, and opened it.
“I warned you. *Go.*”
“You cant”
“I *can*. This is *my* home, *my* sons birthday. *Goodbye.*” The door clicked shut.
From Alexs room came peals of joy. Marina smiled and went to join them.
