Return to Life
Kara hadnt visited her sons flat in ages. She hadnt wanted to. She simply couldnt. Her tears had long since dried up; her grief had dulled, settling into a constant ache and sense of hopelessness.
Her son had been twenty-eight, never complained about his health. Hed finished university, had a job, went to the gym, and was seeing a girl. Two months ago, hed gone to bed and never woke up.
Kara had divorced her husband when her son was six and she was thirty. The reason was painfully ordinaryinfidelity, and not just once. Hed refused to pay child support, always slipping away. Her son grew up without a father, cared for by Karas parents.
There were a few men in Karas life, but she never found the heart to remarry.
She worked hard and earned her keep. At first, she rented a small space in a local supermarket for her shop selling frames and glasses. Kara was an optometrist. Later, she took out a loan and bought her own place, becoming the owner of a reputable optical store, complete with her consultation room. She gave eye tests, prescribed glasses.
Last year, they bought a flat for her sona one-bedroom right on her own floor. They fixed it up a bit. Life was meant to go on.
Dust was everywhere. Kara picked up a cloth and started cleaning; moving the sofa revealed her sons phone, lost all this time. She plugged it in to charge.
Back at her own place, Kara sat tearfully scrolling through the photos: Sam at work, Sam on holiday with friends, Sam with his girlfriend.
She opened WhatsApp. At the top, a message from his mate Dennis. A photoa young woman and a boy shed never seen before. The boy looked just like little Sam!
Remember New Years at Lens ages ago, back at uni? She had that mate, too. Bumped into her with a little lad, turns out shes renting across the road. Honestly, the boys a spitting image of you! Snapped them for a laugh.
The message was sent the week before everything changed. So her son had known, and never breathed a word. What a revelation.
Kara knew where Dennis lived.
The next day after work, she drove over. Kara spotted the boy instantlyhow could she not know her own flesh and blood? He was chasing after another boy on a bike, begging to have a go.
She bent down and asked, Dont you have a bike of your own?
No, the boy replied.
His mother approachedlooked just over twenty. Heavy, bright makeup spoiled her pretty face a bit.
And you are? she asked.
Looks like I might be this lads granny, Kara replied.
Im Molly, his mum. Well, now weve met.
Kara took them to a café. The boyDanny, as she learnedgot an ice cream, Kara and Molly had coffee.
Molly explained that six years ago shed come from the countryside at seventeen, got a place at college to train as a seamstress. Over Christmas break, her friend Len invited her over; they were in the same class. Lens family had gone away for the holidays.
Len was close with Dennis. He came by with his mate Sam to celebrate. Molly and Sam slept together that night. Hed left his phone number but never got in touch.
When Molly called to say she was expecting, Sam met her oncehe was angry, shouted, said respectable girls sorted out their contraception. He tossed her money for an abortion and told Molly to disappear from his life for good. That was the last she ever saw of him.
She didnt finish college; was asked to leave halls when her son was born. No going back to the villageher mum was gone, her dad and brother drank.
Now Molly rented a room from an elderly widow who looked after Danny while Molly was at work, but almost all her earnings went to rent. The nursery waiting list was endless. She worked making pasties for a local bakernot great pay, but she managed.
The next day, Kara moved them into Sams old flat. And that was when her life changed completely.
She found a good private nursery for her grandson. Shopping trips followed, buying clothes for Molly and the boy. Kara spent lots of time with himand loved it. He was just like her son in every way: the look in his eyes, the stubbornness, the gestures.
Kara took Molly under her wing, teaching her how to use makeup properly, how to dress and care for herself, how to cook and keep the flat in orderin short, everything.
Once, the three of them were watching telly at Karas place. Danny cuddled up to his grandmother and said, Youre my absolute favourite!
It was then that Kara realised she no longer felt empty inside, and her grief wasnt crushing her like it used to. She understood shed returned to a real lifeone where happiness was possible. All this, thanks to her grandson.
Two years passed. Kara and Molly walked Danny to his first day of school.
Molly now worked for Kara. She was her right handcompletely indispensable.
Molly had met someone new, a man keen for a serious relationship. Kara didnt mind. Life goes on; its meant to.
It seemed Kara herself might soon marry again. A good, long-time friend kept asking. Why not? She was attractive, independent, with a lovely figure and easy-going natureand only fifty-four.
