Mom, can you tell Kyle to get here right now? the daughter begged, her voice trembling. All three little ones are running fevers, whining, and I cant get to the clinic with them. If you could drive over, it would help. Valeries eyes widened; she couldnt bear to see Mary standing there, helpless.
Inside, anxiety about the grandchildren was tightening her chest.
Give me a minute, love, Valerie tried to sound calm, hoping not to make her daughter even more nervous. She hit the mute button and froze. Her fingers fumbled through her contacts for her sons number. Three sick kids, Mary alone, husband stuck at workthis was a recipe for disaster.
Kyle will sort it out, she told herself. The first ring, then a second, and finally Kyle answered.
Hey, Mum, he said briskly.
Kyle dear, weve got a situation Valerie searched for the right words. Mary just called.
All three kids are ill, we need a doctor urgently. Her husband cant leave work. Could you drive over and take the grandkids? It shouldnt take long.
Silence hung in the line. She could hear Kyles breathing and a faint clatter in the background.
Honestly, Mum, todays a disaster, he sighed. Its Annas birthday, we booked a restaurant two weeks ago. Getting over the whole city to Marys place now would wreck the reservation. So I cant help.
Valeries grip on the phone tightened; her palm was slick with sweat. Was her son really turning his back?
Kyle, can you hear me? The children are sick! Your nieces! Mary cant manage three cranky toddlers on her own, and they need a doctor now! Valerie tried not to shout.
I get it, Mum, I do, Kyle replied flatly. But we have plans. Call a taxi, or you and your husband sort it out. Whats the problem?
She sank into a chair, her legs wobbling. The words barely left her mouth.
My husbands at work! I cant deal with three sick kids alone! Dont you understand the basics?
Sorry, Mum, I cant. Its not my problem. The kids are Marys responsibility. Shell figure it out herself.
Valeries fury boiled over. How can that be your problem? Its your family, your sister! Cant you help a relative once?
I said I cant! Were getting ready, sorry, Kyle snapped before the line went dead.
The short beeps of the phone buzzed cruelly in her ears. She stared at the screen, heart pounding, hands shaking. She dialed again, but Kyle didnt answer. The line stayed silent.
Inside, a hot, burning anger raged. How could her own son behave like this? She tried Kyles brotherinlaw, Anna, hoping he might persuade him.
Hello, Valerie? Anna answered nearimmediately.
Anna, dear, can you ask Kyle to help? Those are his nieces! Marys in a bind, you know shes a woman, you understand.
Anna sighed, her tone cool and almost indifferent.
Valerie, the kids parents should sort out their own issues. Theres a taxi, an ambulance. The children arent infants. Mary is an adult; shell manage.
The words cut deeper than any refusal.
Anna, you do realize how impossible it is to cram three sick toddlers into a taxi? Theyre tiny! Mary cant do it alone! Valeries voice cracked.
Its her children, Valerie, Anna replied, still detached. Weve got our own evening planned. We dont want to ruin it over someone elses problems.
Anger surged even higher.
Then maybe you should keep your future children to yourselves and not ask for help! Valerie shouted, slamming the handset down.
The next few days passed in a fog. Valerie stopped calling Kyle; he stayed silent. She tried not to think about the argument, but the sting lingered, refusing to fade.
At night she lay awake, replaying the bitter conversation over and over. How could her son be so callous? Had she failed as a mother? Where had she gone wrong?
Her husband tried to talk to her, but she brushed him aside. She felt she had to sort it out on her own, to understand what had gone wrong.
On the fourth evening, the pressure finally broke. Valerie decided to drive to Kyles flat in person. She needed to look him in the eye, to hear why hed turned his back on his own family.
Anna opened the door, surprise flickering across her face before she stepped aside. Valerie entered without even taking off her coat.
Wheres Kyle? she asked sharply.
In the living room, Anna pointed.
Valerie pushed open the doorway. Kyle met her gaze. For a split second something inscrutable flickered in his eyes, then his expression hardened.
Mum? Whats happened? he raised an eyebrow.
How could you? Valerie barked, her voice so loud Kyle flinched. All four days of frustration erupted at once.
How could you refuse help to your own sisters children? I didnt raise you to be selfish and cold!
Kyle rose slowly, his face remaining oddly placid. The coldness irritated her even more.
Mum, you could have called a taxi yourself, he shrugged. Go to Mary, help with the kids. I dont have to drop everything at the first call.
He paused, looking straight into her eyes.
Did you forget how Mary stopped talking to us after we bought that flat? Ever wonder why shes been distant? he continued. Since we moved in, shes been sulking, not returning calls, acting like were strangers. And now she needs help?
Valerie stumbled for words, her throat dry.
Its its just she began, then trailed off. Mary lives in a rented flat with three kids.
And you and Anna live in a cosy twobedroom with no kids. Of course shes upset. But thats not my business.
Kyle squinted. Anna stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her face unreadable.
All that chattershes been saying nasty things about Anna. The flat isnt my concern.
We bought that flat with our own blood, no one helped us. Mary should sort out her own mess, not drag my family into it through you.
Valerie stepped forward, fists clenched.
What are you saying? Thats your sister! Family!
No, Mum, my family is Anna. Mary should have thought ahead!
She chose to have three kids! No one forced her! Im not obligated to drop everything the moment she calls!
Valeries face twisted.
Youre selfish! All you think about is yourself! Your sister can barely manage those children, and you cant help even once!
I help when I can, Kyle said with a wry smile. Why should I aid someone who hasnt spoken to me for six months? We stopped talking to Mary after the flat purchase. How could I ignore that?
He softened his tone.
What am I even talking about? he asked, shaking his head. You only ever worry about Mary. Ive become an empty space for you.
Youre heartless! How can you say that? Valerie snapped, tears welling. I didnt raise you like this! I taught you to look after each other!
She burst out of the flat, onto the stairwell landing, gasping for breath. The cold night air hit her face, but it didnt calm the raging storm inside. She walked to the bus stop, each step echoing with doubt. Had she raised a monster? Why couldnt Kyle see that family is supposed to support one another?
Pedestrians brushed past, oblivious. Maybe Kyle was right. Maybe shed been overdemanding, blind to his own life. Yet she couldnt shake the feeling that a mothers love should always include a little sacrifice.
She boarded the minibus, stared out the window as houses and cars drifted by, the ordinary world humming on. Inside her, something had cracked forever. She didnt know if she could ever fix it, if she could ever speak to Kyle like before, or if he would ever forgive her blind spot.
The bus rattled over potholes. Valerie closed her eyes, hoping tomorrow might bring clearer thoughts, the right words, perhaps a chance for the family to become a family again. Or maybe it was already too late.
