Hey love, you wont believe the drama that unfolded today. I was just getting home from the shop when my son, James, popped his head in and snapped, Leave the keys and get out, as if Id just walked into a sitcom.
I was still sorting receipts when Lucy, my coworker, slipped into the staff room. Helen, youre pulling another long shift, arent you? Youve been at this forever, love! she said, eyeing the piles of paperwork. The youngsters are glued to their phones while youre doing the heavy lifting for everyone.
I sighed, adjusting my glasses. Just need to finish this, Lucy. Theres an audit tomorrow, and Mr. Brown will be on my case. I nudged the glasses back up and dove into the invoices.
Lucy rolled her eyes. Honestly, forget about Mr. Brown! Youre sixtytwo, Helen. Think about yourself for once!
I managed a weak smile. Its easy to say that when your pension is a joke just a few pounds a month and you have to stay at the corner grocery from dawn till dusk just to keep a roof over your head.
Lucy gave me a quick nod. Ill be out in half an hour, then Im off home too.
She shuffled off, waving goodbye. I was alone in the quiet back room that smelled of cardboard and something sour, while the last customers were still arguing over change at the till. The door clanged shut and the shop fell silent.
I finished the last line of my report, tucked the papers into a folder, and stood up, stretching. My back ached from standing all day, shuffling stock onto shelves, and my feet were throbbing, shoes pinching tight.
I threw on my old coat threadbare at the cuffs but still sturdy and stepped out into the November dusk. The air was damp and chilly, the wind slipping under my collar. I wrapped my scarf tighter and headed for the bus stop.
The minibus was cramped. I squeezed between a chatty lady with endless shopping bags and a bloke glued to his headphones. I stared out the window at flickering streetlights, shop windows, and passersby, thinking about the dinner Id have to throw together at home. Max would be home, probably starving. But then I remembered hed promised to have dinner with Emma, his new fiancée.
I pursed my lips. Emma had swooped into Maxs life half a year ago a bright, gingerhaired girl with painted nails and a booming voice. From the start, I knew she wasnt the kind of daughterinlaw Id wanted, but Max was head over heels, glowing like a kid with a new toy. He kept telling me, Mum, dont worry, Emmas lovely. Youll get to know her soon enough.
And get to know her we did. In those six months Emma turned our flat into her own kingdom. Shed plop down on the sofa, flick on the telly, demand tea or coffee, and look at me as if I were the housemaid.
Helen, could you wash the kettle properly? There are rings inside! shed snap, or Would you mind walking a bit softer? My heads throbbing! Max never seemed to notice, or pretended not to. Hed buzz around her like a lovesick puppy, while I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to ruin his happiness.
I thought back to how I raised Max alone. Kevin, his father, walked out when Max was just three, off with a younger, pretty girl. I was left with a baby, no home, crashing at Kevins parents flat. We hopped from room to room in shared houses, just so Max had somewhere to sleep. I juggled two jobs daytime in the library, evenings scrubbing office floors. Every penny went to his clothes, shoes, schoolbooks. I wore the same dress for years, mending it over and over, while Max got new boots and jackets.
When he finally got into college, I was over the moon. He studied well, landed a job at the factory, started earning a decent wage. All those years of pinching pennies finally paid off. I saved enough to buy a onebed flat in an old council block on the outskirts my very own roof over my head.
I put the flat in Maxs name, thinking it would be easier for him, and he was ecstatic. Mum, youre the best! Ill never leave you! he beamed, and I believed every word.
Then Emma arrived, and things started to shift. Max began staying out late, Emma was crashing at our place, and I was forced onto the spare sofa while the young couple took the bedroom. It was cramped, but what could I do? Young people need space, right?
Emma started hinting that the flat was too small, that we should all move out. Max, how are we supposed to live three of us in here? No privacy at all! she whined. Max brushed it off, Shes my mum, where will she go? Well manage.
I could feel the chill creeping in each time they talked about moving. Was Max really planning to push me out? It seemed impossible, but the fear was there.
The minibus stopped, I got off and walked the threeblock stretch home, my legs heavy, my mind exhausted. When I finally reached the third floor, I fumbled with my keys, slipped off my coat, and took off my shoes. I was about to head for the kitchen when Max stepped out of the hallway, his face pale and tense, Emma right behind him with that smug grin.
Hold on, Mum, he said, blocking my way.
Whats happened, love? I asked, worried. You look ill.
No, Im not ill. Mum, we need to talk. He snapped, No dinner, just listen. Emma and I have decided we need the flat, just the two of us. Understand?
My heart hammered. What just the two of us? I tried to keep my voice steady.
Exactly. Were getting married, we need space. You work, you get a salary you could rent a room somewhere. He looked away, as if embarrassed.
I stared at him, feeling the world tilt. But this is our flat, Helen! I bought it with my life savings!
Its in my name now, technically. I think you should move out. He sounded almost angry.
I felt my knees buckle. Son, are you serious? Im your mother!
Thats why you need to understand me! I have to build my own life! Emmas right, we need to live separately!
Emma crossed her arms, a triumphant smile on her face. So you finally got us to see the light, didnt you?
I swallowed hard. Did she convince you?
Mom never convinced me of anything! Emma shouted. Max made the decision himself! Were adults, we deserve our own space!
Your own space I whispered, leaning against the wall. Max, think! Where will I go? I have no money for a rented room! My pension is a joke, my salary is tiny! Ive spent my whole life saving for this flat!
Dont make a drama of it, Mum, Max muttered, turning away. Youll sort something out. Maybe a student hall, or crash with someone.
A student hall? Me? At sixtytwo? My voice trembled. Thats nonsense! Wake up!
Its not nonsense! he yelled, and I felt a cold shock run through me my son had actually raised his voice at me.
He snapped, Enough blackmail! Ive decided. Leave the keys and get out!
Silence fell. I stared at the words, still echoing in the hallway. I reached into my bag, pulled out the keyring, and placed the keys on the little shelf by the door, my hands shaking.
Alright, I whispered, Alright, Max. If thats what you want.
I slipped my coat back on, pulled on my shoes, grabbed my bag, and walked out, the door thudding shut behind me. I didnt know where to go, just a sea of cold streets and tears burning my cheeks.
I kept walking until I got to the doorstep of my old friend Claire, who lives a couple of blocks away in a modest twobed flat. Her husband had passed years ago, her kids were scattered, and shed been on her own for a while.
I rang the bell, pressed my forehead to the door for a long moment, and finally heard the familiar click. Claire opened, her eyes widening at my tearstreaked face.
Helen? What happened? Come in, quick! she said, pulling me inside.
She led me to the kitchen, sat me down, and handed me a cup of tea. Tell me everything, she urged.
I poured out the whole story Emma, Maxs sudden ultimatum, the flat, the keys. Claire listened, shaking her head, muttering, Thats an absolute nightmare! How could he treat his own mother like that?
I dont know what to do, I sobbed. Ive got nowhere.
Stay here for as long as you need, Claire said firmly. Ive got a spare room. You wont be a burden.
I felt a wave of relief. Finally, someone on my side.
That night I lay on the spare cot, unable to sleep, my mind looping over the days events. By morning, Claire brewed a strong cuppa and made us a quick breakfast.
Helen, you go back to work today as usual. Well figure the rest out later, she said.
So I went back to the shop, put on a brave face, and spent the day behind the counter. Lucy checked in on me a few times, but I brushed her off, pretending all was fine.
When I got back to Claires flat that evening, she had news. Remember Nina, the librarian? Shes recently widowed and lives alone in a tiny flat. I called her, and she said she could take you in for a modest fee far cheaper than a student hall.
I sighed, grateful for any option. Within a week, I moved into Ninas little oneroom flat. She was a sharp, kindly older woman who ran a tight ship. We sleep early, no loud music, we share the kitchen in turns, and we dont waste electricity, she warned. Got it?
Got it, I replied.
The room was barely eight feet square, just enough for a bed, a tiny wardrobe, and a small table. I left most of my belongings in Claires flat Max never answered my calls, so I didnt bother.
Life settled into a new rhythm. Id get up early, head to the shop, return to Ninas flat, cook a simple dinner, eat alone at the kitchen table, then crawl back to my cramped room and stare at the ceiling, thinking about Max.
Why had he turned on me? Had his love for Emma eroded his love for his own mother? I kept replaying memories of him as a little boy, handing me his crayon drawings, telling me, Mum, Im a big boy now, I dont cry! Hed once stood up to a bully at school, coming home with a bruise but a proud grin, saying, Mum, I didnt let him get away with it! Hed always been kind, honest, solid. Where had that Max vanished?
A month later, Nina noticed Id lost weight. Helen, you need to eat properly. Youre looking gaunt, she chided gently.
Ive no appetite, I admitted.
She nodded, Take care of yourself, love.
One evening, a woman I didnt recognize knocked on my door. Hello, am I speaking to Maxs mother? she asked.
I am, I said warily.
Im Irene, I live on the floor above. I thought we should talk. She seemed friendly enough, so I agreed to meet at a nearby café.
She sipped her tea and said, Ive seen a lot of shouting coming from Maxs flat lately. Latenight parties, music blaring, neighbours complained. More worrying, Ive seen men coming in with bags, smelling something off. Im not saying anything, just thought you should know.
I felt my stomach drop. You think theyre up to something illegal?
She shrugged, I cant say for sure. Just thought you should be aware. Its your sons life, after all.
I left the café in a daze, the weight of the revelation pressing down. Was Max tangled up with the wrong crowd? I didnt know what to do. I tried calling him, but his phone went straight to voicemail.
The next day, I took a halfday off and went to the flat. I knocked, waited, and after a long silence the door cracked open. Emma stood there, dishevelled, eyes red.
What do you want? she snapped.
Im looking for Max, I said.
Hes not here, she replied, her voice flat.
Dont lie to me. I hear people inside.
Hes gone. He left. She tried to slam the door, but I pushed my hand against it.
I stood there, helpless, the hallway echoing with my breath. The neighbours complaints, the strange smells, the strange men it all seemed to swirl together.
I slumped onto the stair landing, feeling utterly powerless. Then, out of nowhere, Max appeared, looking gaunt, his clothes wrinkled.
Mum what are you doing here? he asked, his voice low.
I sprang up. Max! Whats happened to you? You look sick.
He glanced away. Im fine, he muttered.
I pressed, Neighbours say theres something going on. Youve been acting strange. Emmas shes
He snapped, Enough! I cant go back to that flat. I cant stay there. Im scared of being alone.
I reached for his sleeve. Dont push me away, love.
He shoved me roughly. I stumbled, fell onto the pavement, and for a heartbeat I thought hed left me there.
He knelt, his eyes softening. I didnt mean to Im sorry, Mum.
I brushed off my coat, steadied myself, and looked at him. Max, look at yourself. You were such a good boy. Whats happened?
He stared at the ground. I dont know. Emma keeps pulling me in, Im tangled up with her friends, debts I feel trapped. I cant say no, because if she leaves Im alone.
Say no, I urged. You cant let her ruin you.
He whispered, Im scared youll be left with nothing.
I pulled him into a hug, feeling his shoulders shake. Youre not alone. Im here. Always.
He sobbed, clinging to me, under the streetlamps glow. Im sorry, Mum. Im a fool.
Not a fool, just lost. We can fix this, I said, wiping his tears.
We talked long into the night. He confessed how Emma had dragged him into shady deals, how hed borrowed money he couldnt repay, how terrified he was. I listened, stroking his hair, like I used to when he was a toddler.
Max, you need to get away from her. The flat is yours, you can ask her to leave. If she wont, call the police. I suggested.
He hesitated. What about the flat? I cant just kick her out.
You can. Its yours legally. You can also involve the local council if needed, I replied.
He asked, Will you come back?
If you want me, I said, Ill always be here.
He took a deep breath, then, with renewed resolve, went back to the flat that very evening and told Emma the relationship was over. She threw a tantrum, shouted, threatened, but Max stood firm and even called the local constable, who later asked Emma to leave.
A week later, I walked back into the flat, heart pounding, and Max greeted me at the door with a bouquet of fresh daisies.
Welcome home, Mum, he said, eyes bright.
I clutched the flowers, tears spilling over, and we both laughed.
We spent the afternoon cleaning up the mess Emma left behind, washing floors, clearing out junk, and pulling the curtains back to let in the light.
It feels like the good old days, I said, smiling.
Exactly, Max replied. Mum, Ive learned something vital family comes first. No girl, no friend can replace that. Youre my only family, and Ill never betray you again. Hear that?
I hear you, love, I replied, feeling the warmth spread through me.
We sat at the kitchen table, sipping tea as rain pattered against the windows. The house felt cozy again. I thought about how close Id come to losing everything, how Max had almost slipped awayAnd as the sunrise painted the quiet streets, we both knew that, after all the turmoil, the unbreakable bond between mother and son would forever light our way.
