Relatives
Mary Faulkner sat on the sunlit bench in her little garden, relishing the years first warm days. At last, spring has come. Only God knows how Mary managed to get through this past winter. The old fireplace in her cottage smoked dreadfully, and her thin roof leaked out whatever little warmth the fire could muster.
Ill never survive another winter, Mary thought with a sigh of relief. She wasnt afraid of death anymore. In truth, she almost looked forward to it as something that would set her free. She had put aside her funeral fund ages ago. Her best dress was mended and hanging in the wardrobe, and a sturdy coffin, upholstered with red calico by good old Mick the carpenter, stood tucked away in the shed.
There was nothing left to tether Mary to this world.
Once, shed had a bustling household: her husband, Fredrick Faulkner, a towering strong man, worked as a blacksmith in the local co-op, and together theyd had four childrenthree boys and a girl. They lived harmoniously, always looking out for one another and bickering only on rare occasions. But the children had grown and gone their separate ways. The two eldest sons passed their exams to join the army, and duty eventually sent them off to the far corners of Britain. The third, who was always a bit of a rascal in school, became a successful entrepreneur and moved abroad, never to settle back. The daughter didnt stay in the village eitherinstead, she flitted off to London and married soon after arriving.
In those early days, the children often visited home. They wrote letters, and once mobile phones became common, they called regularly. There were grandchildren, and Mary often packed her battered old suitcase and went to lend a hand as a nanny.
Slowly, the grandchildren grew up and out of needing her fussing. The calls grew less frequent, and the invitations for visits dwindled further. Life and work and their own families filled her childrens time.
It was only at her husband Fredricks funeral that they all gathered again in the family home. He had seemed indestructible, the sort of man everyone expected to live to a hundred, yet he was gone sooner than any of them imagined.
After seeing Fredrick to his final rest, the children left once more. For a while, they phoned their mother, but over time, even those calls trickled away to nothing.
Mary tried ringing them herself now and then, but quickly realised they had precious little time for her, so she gave up. Thus, for the last ten years, shed mostly lived alone. Once a year, perhaps, one of her children would think of her and call, and for a week afterwards, shed wear a quiet little smile about the house.
One afternoon, as she sat on her bench, lost in thought, a cheerful voice called out from behind the fence.
All right, Aunt Mary! There stood a young man with a broad smile. Do you remember me?
Mary squinted, then broke into a grin. Colin! Is it really you?
The very same, Aunt Mary! The young man walked through the gate.
Colin was once the neighbours lada boy from a troubled home that couldnt go a day without drink. For as long as Mary remembered, hed been a scruffy child, always hungry. Out of pity, Mary fed him, passed along her childrens old clothes, and let him sleep over during his parents most raucous benders. In one such episode, tragedy struckColins drunken father stabbed his wife, then took his own life. After the funerals, Colin was sent off and Mary hadnt seen him since, but shed missed him terribly.
Whereve you been all this time, Colin? Mary asked, delighted.
In a childrens home at first, then the army. Then I studied a bitnow Im back home, planning to revive the old co-op!
Revive whats left of it, you mean, Mary shook her head, it was all sold off or pinched years ago. Just a few people running their own little patches now.
Itll do. Ill manage!
With Colin back, life took on a new brightness for Mary. He did odd jobs at Jack Evanssthe biggest local farmerand spent his free hours patching up his parents old place. He never forgot Mary, always coming round to help out. She was soon calling him sonny more often than not. Thats how theyve spent the last three years.
Im leaving, Aunt Mary, Colin said one day, apologetically. Jacks got a bit too big for his bootswants us to work like dogs and pays us nothing. Im off north to find work. Dont be upset!
Of course, Colin, dont worry. Fish seek deeper water, and people seek a better life, Mary replied, seeing him off with a hug.
Alone once again, Mary found the silence nearly unbearable. Sometimes, she was tempted to cry or give up altogether, but shed quickly rein herself in. Crying was undignifiedwhat would the neighbours say? And taking her own life was a mortal sin! So she filled the days, waiting for her time to come, though it never seemed in any hurry.
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All right, Aunt Mary! came that familiar voice. Mary looked up and recognised him at once.
Colin! Is that really you?
Yes, its me! The tall, well-dressed young man came through the gate. Im backthis time for good!
Oh, what wonderful news! Mary bustled about in her excitement. Come in, come in! Ill put the kettle on!
Nothing better than a cuppa! Colin beamed. But let me pop homedidnt realise Id catch you, so I didnt bring any treats.
Half an hour later, Mary and Colin sat together, beaming at each other over tea in her best vintage china.
I was ready to meet my maker, Mary dabbed at her eyes.
Enough of that! Colin wagged his finger playfully. Now Im here, well do well for ourselves! Ive earned good money, Im going to build something of my own. Youll have no time for talk of dying!
Hello? Anyone home? a bright young female voice trilled outside, breaking their happy spell. Mary went to the window and saw a smartly dressed girl in a short coat and heels at the gate.
Whos there? Mary and Colin stepped out to meet her.
Im here to see Mary Faulkner! Im her great-granddaughterwell, granddaughter, really. Im SarahAlexs daughter, Marys eldest.
Mary and Colin exchanged glances, surprised.
I tried calling you, but your phones been switched off! So I took a chance and came anyway!
Please, come in! Mary stammered, and Colin took Sarahs suitcase from her.
As Sarah tucked in to the treats Mary set before her, she shared her story.
I dont like the city. I want to live in the country, but my parents dont understand. Granddad Alex suggested I stay with you a couple of monthshe thinks living in the village might put me off it entirely! He tried calling, my dad tried, I did too, but we couldnt get through. Sorry for barging in! But I wont be a bother or a scrounger. Ive got my own money, and Ive brought you presents from my dad and granddad. Ill stay until my examsI study by distanceand then Ill be off!
Stay as long as you like! Mary finally exclaimed, overjoyed. It would be such a pleasure!
A month went by. Mary sat on her bench, watching as Sarah confidently tended the vegetable patch. She no longer seemed like a city girlshe and Colin had turned the weedy, neglected garden into neat rows, put up a new greenhouse, bought seedlings from a neighbour, and got right down to planting.
Colin was just as industrious. With his savings, he started building a modern farm, employed workmen to fix Marys leaking roof, and replaced her old fireplace with central heating.
Mary was a changed woman. She smiled every dayshe was no longer alone. Only when she remembered Sarah would leave soon did a shadow pass over her face. She had grown so fond of her great-granddaughter. But time flew, and Sarah started making plans to return to the city.
How will I manage the veg patch when youre gone, dear? Mary sighed as she packed some pastries for Sarahs journey.
Just remember to fill up the water butts, Granny. Colin will do the wateringand Ill come back to weed and sort anything misbehaving while Im away! Sarah grinned.
So you will come back? Mary brightened.
Of course! I cant leave for good nowI love you, Granny, with all my heart. And, actually, Colin has proposed! The weddings in autumn! How could I leave my husband behind? Hes a country lad at heart!
A year on, Mary basks in the sun, gently rocking a pram with her sleeping great-great-grandson in the garden. Sarah and Colin are busily working on their flourishing farm down the lane. Together they have revived the whole village.
Ere, Mary! calls out her neighbour Liz from beyond the hedge. I hear youve got a coffin lying unused in your shed! Fancy selling it? Only, my nan passed and Bill the undertakers gone on another bender. We dont know what to do! Could you help us out?
Mary gazes fondly at her great-great-grandson, sucking his dummy, and replies,
Take it! Ive no time for dying just now. Ive got far too much family to look after!The news of Marys generosity spread like the morning lightswift and heartening. That afternoon, half the village turned up at her gate: some came to offer thanks for her kindness, some brought jams or fresh eggs, others just wanted a glimpse of the old lady whod given away her own coffin with a chuckle.
As evening settled, Mary sat out on her bench, her heart full. Children chased fireflies in the lane, and laughter spilled across the gardens. Colin brought her a cup of tea, while Sarah placed the baby in her lap, his small fingers curling around Marys thumb.
Looking at them, Mary realized that she was held fast to life not by fear or duty, but by love rekindlednew roots had grown where old ones faded, and now they bound her tighter than ever. The world, once narrowed to the walls of her cottage, expanded again in the smiles of those shed cared for and those now caring for her.
She leaned back, closed her eyes, and let the sound of family and friends wash over hera living choir, a promise of tomorrows. The years ahead were uncertain, but for the first time in many seasons, Mary looked forward, not back.
I suppose, she thought with a twinkle, theres always room for one more spring.
And in the last golden rays, Mary Faulkner laughedsoft, full, and free.
