Evelyn cheers, Oh, my boy has arrived! Nicholas tugs his flat cap at the doorstep. Hey, mum, he says, pausing, Im not alone. He nudges a skinny lad in glasses, a backpack slung over his shoulders, forward.
Whats this, dear? Is this my grandson? Evelyn asks, squinting. Is he Tom or Jack? I cant tell without his glasses.
Nicholas plops onto a chair. Put them on, love. This is Vince, my illegitimate son. Remember when Gwendolyn and I split for a year? I hooked up with Valerie then, and he was born. I foolishly put my name on his birth certificate, Nicholas sighs.
Evelyn pulls him aside. Why are you talking about that in front of a child? Hes still too young to hear about your messy life. Vince, go to the lounge and watch TV while we sort things out with your father.
The boy silently slides out of the room. Evelyn leans in, whispering, Does Gwendolyn know about him? She adds, She never liked my sons wifealways quarrelsome and bossy.
Nicholas winces. What, Mum? If she found out shed have fled the house long ago, but I feel sorry for him. I built him from the ground up myself.
Evelyn sighs, Youre such a disappointment, not a proper man but a weakling, always under Gwendolyns heel. How could you end up with a child on the side? Why bring him here? If Gwendolyn finds out I wont be alright.
Nicholas, feeling the pressure, explains, Valerie, that snake, decided to get married and ran off south with a new lover for a month. She called me, said take the boy wherever you want, even home. I told her Id gone mad, that I have a wife who would throw us both out. She warned me shed make things difficult. Ill give Gwendolyn the birth certificate and youll sort it out. Thats the end of it for me. She barely forgave me, didnt speak to me for six months. So I thought, let him stay with you for a month, then Ill come back and take him, he says, never meeting Evelyns gaze.
Evelyn shakes her head. You were the same trouble as a child and youre still that. If anything goes wrong, Ill help. Fine, where do you want to put him? She hesitates, But hes not one of us. Is he really yours?
Nicholas waves his hand. Hes mine, no doubt. Valerie isnt a saint, but shes loyal.
Silence falls. Evelyn springs up. What am I doing sitting here? Lets at least feed him.
Nicholas gets up. Sorry, Mum, but Ive got to go. Gwendolyn is waiting at home. I told her Im heading to the city for parts. Feed Vince and Ill be off.
Evelyn hugs her errant son and whispers, God be with you, my dear.
Vince gobbles his food without looking away from the plate. Anything else? Evelyn asks, seeing how fast hes finished.
No, thank you, he replies, pushing his chair back.
Go outside for a walk while I finish dinner. Whats in your bag? she asks.
Stuff, he mutters.
Will you wash it yourself or do I have to?
For the first time he looks at her with frightened eyes. I cant. Mum always did the washing.
Evelyn lifts his small backpack. Take it, Ill rinse whats dirty.
He steps out and she starts sorting the simple items: two tshirts, a pair of shorts, and a couple of briefs.
Not much, she muses, no warm sweater either. Looks like his mum still has a hand in this. She plunges the clothes into a basin, then turns to a cherry pie.
A shout from the street makes her dash out, flour still on her hands.
What happened?
Vince yelps, clutching his leg. A goose pecked me. It hurts, tears stream down his face.
Why did you go near them? Theyre out there grazing, and you were in the yard, she asks, eyeing the red bruise.
I just wanted to look at them, he sobs.
Youve never seen geese before? she asks, surprised.
I’ve seen them, but I never got close, he whispers.
Alright, lets get you into the house, Ill apply some ointment, she says, taking his hand.
After dinner she puts him on the sofa and cant fall asleep. What a life, she thinksshed never have sent her own child to a strangers care. The house feels heavy, the boys cheap trousers cost more than shed like. Then she hears a soft whimper. She listens, realising its the boy crying. She kneels beside him.
Whats wrong, love? Dont you like me? she coos. Wait a month, and Mum will take you back.
He looks up, whispering, She wont. I heard her talking to Uncle Victor that when they come, theyll send me to a boarding school, only taking me back for holidays. I dont want that; I like being with Mum. Uncle Colin isnt needed; he never even calls me by my name. Youre kind, but Im not needed either.
Evelyns heart tightens. She embraces his thin frame. Dont cry, dear Vince. I wont let anyone hurt you. Ill speak to your mother and youll stay with me. We have a good school here, great teachers. Well go mushroompicking, berrypicking, milk the cow. Youre weak now, but a glass of fresh milk will make you strong. Dont believe me? Tomorrow Ill introduce you to Paul, a solid boy, as strong as a bun. Want that?
He hugs her neck. I do. Will you keep your word?
She kisses his crown gently. Of course.
Years later, Valentina drops by occasionally with gifts but never stays, always rushed off by Victor. Nicholas appears now and then. Gwendolyn learns about Vince and blames Evelyn, saying she never needed grandchildren, only little trinkets. Evelyn doesnt mind. The frail boy has grown into a sturdy young man. This morning she prepares his favourite dishes and keeps glancing out the window.
A young soldier steps into the house, calling softly, Grandma, Im here, where are you?
She rushes out, wraps her arms around his neck. Vince, my dear grandson!
Are you going to the farm? she asks. He sets down his fork, surprised. Which one? The one that left me and brings me trinkets once a year? No, I wont go. My mother is you, and thats settled, he says calmly, returning to his meal.
Evelyn wipes away a tear, grateful for the grandson who brings comfort in her old age. His blood runs in her veins, her beloved.
