It’s me, Michael, I whisper, sitting beside her. Its too late to change anything now. Youre almost eighty, Mum. I turn and walk out, not giving her a chance to speak.
Grandma Lily, with the last of her strength, drags a bucket of icy water from the outdoor tap. She shuffles, legs trembling, along the muddy footpath back to her cottage. The frost nips at her cheeks, and her fingers barely cling to the frosted, peeledoff handle of the bucket. At the doorway she pauses to catch her breath, sets the bucket on the step, reaches for the second one and her foot slips on the ice.
Oh God, help me, she mutters before she hits the ground. Her shoulder bangs against the step, a dull ache blooms at the back of her head. She lies there for a few seconds, unable to move or even sigh.
She tries to rise, but her legs wont obey; everything below her waist feels gone. Gasping with terror and pain, she crawls toward the door, clinging to anything that offers a hold: an old stool, a broken broom, the hem of her skirt. Her back twists, sweat beads on her forehead, the world spins and sways.
Come on, Lily just a little longer, she hisses to herself, struggling onto the battered sofa in the hallway. On the windowsill sits a phone. With trembling fingers she dials her son.
Paul love somethings wrong come home she breathes out, then loses consciousness.
By evening Paul rushes back. The door slams, a gust of wind barrels into the cottage. Hatless, disheveled, he freezes on the threshold, staring at his mother halfcollapsed on the sofa.
Mum whats happened to you? he leans in, taking her hand. Heavens, shes as stiff as a board.
Without hesitation he calls his wife:
Olivia, come as fast as you can Shes really badly ill I think she isnt moving at all.
Grandma Lily hears everything, though she cant smile or stir. A flicker of hope sparks in her chest: if hes scared, then she isnt forgotten. Perhaps this is the moment the family finally gathers, perhaps theyll save her.
She tries to wiggle her legsno luck. Only her fingers twitch. Tears spill from her eyesnot from pain, but because maybe not everything is lost.
Olivia arrives two days later, irritated, clutching Annies hand as if something else had pulled her away.
Well, look what youve done, you old witch, she mutters under her breath, glancing at her motherinlaw. Now lie down like a log.
Annie presses close to her mother, eyes darting nervously at Lily, trying to smile, but her face wont cooperate.
Olivia slips silently into the house. Paul leads her to the kitchen. They talk in hushed tones; the air feels heavy.
Although Lily cant make out words, she feels the bitterness in their voices.
A few minutes pass and Paul returns, lifting her gently without a word.
Where are you taking me? she whispers.
Paul says nothing, his jaw tightening. She wraps her arms around his neck, inhaling his familiar scentoil, tobacco, something homey.
To the hospital? she asks again.
He stays silent, his steps quickening.
Instead of a hospital, he carries her to the outbuilding that once stored potatoes, skis, and old junk. The room is cold, the floor made of cracked boards, damp seeping through the windows. The smell of neglect lingers.
He places her carefully on an old mattress covered with a faded blanket.
Youll stay here, he says dryly, avoiding her gaze. Its too late to change anything now. Youre nearly eighty, Mum. He turns and walks away, not letting her say another word.
Shock creeps over her slowly, inexorably. Lily lies staring at the ceiling, the cold sinking into her bones. She cant understand why he does this, for what reason.
Fragments of the past flash through her mind: pulling Paul by the sleeve, scrubbing school floors, buying him a winter coat on credit, paying for a wedding when his inlaws refusednot suitable, not from the right circle.
Ive always been on his side, she whispers, still unable to believe whats happened.
She remembers Olivias cold, sharp facenever grateful, never visiting without a reminder. Only once did she appear, on Annies birthday.
Now Lily lies in that chilly outbuilding, feeling like a forgotten object. She wonders if shell see morning at all.
Each day the signs get clearer: something is seriously wrong. Paul shows up less often, leaving a bowl of soup and hurrying away. Olivia and Annie cease to appear.
Lily feels life slipping away. She no longer eats, just drinks water to avoid dying of thirst. Sleep evades her; a backache keeps her awake. The worst of all is the crushing loneliness.
Why? she thinks. Why this? I loved him more than anyone. I gave everything for him
No answer comesonly cold and emptiness.
One morning, as a thin shaft of sunlight pierces the grimy window, she hears a quiet but persistent knocknothing like Pauls heavy thud.
Whos there? she whispers, her voice barely a whisper.
The door creaks and an elderly man in a worn coat steps in. Hes silverbearded, his face familiar but not instantly recognisable. He sits beside her and takes her hand.
Its me, Michael, he says softly, settling next to her.
Lily flinches. Michael, the neighbour she once loved, the man she drove away because he didnt fit her familys expectations.
Michael she sighs.
He says nothing, just squeezes her hand, then asks quietly:
What happened to you, Lily? Why are you here? Paul told me you were in a care home
She tries to explain, but tears blur her words. He understands without needing more, pulls her into a gentle embrace.
Dont be afraid. Ill get you out of here. He lifts herlight as a featherand carries her out into the bright morning. Paul has gone to town, Olivia as well. Only Annie peeks out the window before scurrying away.
Michael brings Lily to his own house, lays her on a warm bed, covers her with a blanket, brings tea with honey, feeds her like a child.
Rest now. Ill call a doctor.
The doctor arrives quickly, examines her, and shakes his head.
A spinal fracture, old injury. If treated properly, she might stand again. Shell need surgery and rehab.
Michael nods.
Well do whatever it takes. Ill sell what I must to save her.
Lily looks at him, tears spilling.
Michael why? After everything
He smiles sadly.
Because I love you. I always have. I always will.
She criesjoy, pain, relief that life isnt over.
Michael cares for her as if she were his ownfeeding, washing, reading aloud, recounting stories of his own waiting, hoping shed return.
I always knew one day youd understand, he says. And Ill be right here.
A week later Paul returns, sees his mother in a proper bedroom, not a damp outbuilding.
Mum how did you… get up? he stammers.
Lily looks at him coldly.
I didnt. Michael carried me.
Paul drops his eyes.
I I didnt expect this
Go, Paul. Dont come back.
He leaves without a glance back. Olivia and Annie never return.
Lily stays with Michael, who becomes her pillarboth literally and figuratively. He helps her onto walkers, then a cane.
Look, Lily, Im walking she laughs, taking her first steps.
He weeps softly with happiness.
One sunrise, her eyes open to golden light and she says, Michael, thank youfor everything.
He takes her hand.
Its me who should thank you, for coming back.
They live on quietly, peacefully, in a love that finally found its time.
Lily sits on a bench soaking up the sun. Her legs still ache, but she walksslowly, steadily. Michael carves a little wooden toy for Annie, who sometimes darts in, hiding from her mother.
Do you think Paul will forgive me? she asks.
Michael shakes his head.
Dont think about him. Think about yourself. Youre alivethats what matters.
She nods, feeling truly alive for the first time in ages.
On the mantel sits a photo of a young Lily with Michael, captioned, Finally together.
A month later Paul bursts in, unannounced, finds Lily sipping tea at the table, Michael nearby.
Mum we need to talk, Paul begins, avoiding Michaels gaze.
She stays silent.
Olivia says youve gone mad, that this old man has poisoned your mind.
Michael rises, but Lily stops him with a hand.
Leave, Paul. This isnt your place.
He winces.
But Im your son!
You were. Now go.
Paul storms out, slamming the door. Lily doesnt cry; she simply squeezes Michaels hand tighter.
Thank you for being here.
He smiles.
And I thank you.
Life moves forwardwithout Paul, but with love.
A week later Annie rushes in, sits on the bench, hugs Lily.
Grandma, why is Daddy so angry?
Lily pats her head.
Hes forgotten what love feels like. You wont forget, will you?
Annie nods.
No. I love you.
I love you too.
Michael watches them, smiling. Life breaks us, but it also mends us. The key is never giving up.
Lily stands on the doorway, watching the road as the sun sets, painting the sky pink. Michael comes up, wraps an arm around her shoulders.
What are you thinking about?
That everythings finally alright.
He kisses her temple.
Right, Lily. At last.
They step inside together, hand in hand, forever.
