I remember the day my son came home, and my heart leapt at the sight of him. Well, look who’s back! I cried, wiping the tears from my cheeks. Nicholas shuffled his worn hat at the doorway and grinned, Hello, Mum. Im not alone this time. He paused, then nudged a thin, spectacled boy forward, a battered knapsack slung over his shoulders.
Good heavens, what a little one youve brought! Is he Tom or Charlie? I cant tell without his glasses. Nicholas perched on a chair and said, Put the spectacles on. This is Basil, my my illegitimate son. Remember when I and Mabel split for a year? It was then I fell in with Valerie, and Basil was born. I foolishly put my own name on his birth register, he sighed.
I snapped at him, What are you talking about in front of a child? Hes too young to know about your scandalous life. Basil, go to the sittingroom and have a look at the telly while we sort this out with your father. The lad slipped away without a word.
I whispered, Does Agnes know about this? I thought of my daughterinlaw, whod never liked a soninlaw, a quarrelsome, sharptongued woman. Nicholas shivered, Mother, if she found out shed have thrown us out a long time ago. I built this boy from the ground up with my own two hands.
I sighed, Youre a right mess, you are. No man, just a halfhearted rogue, always under Zoes heel. How you managed to bring a child into our lives on the sly is a miracle. And why did you bring him here? If Zoe finds out, Ill be in the soup.
Nicholas, nervous, tried to explain, Valerie, that vixen, was about to get married. She ran off with a new lover down to the South for a monthcan you imagine? She called me, said, Take the boy wherever you like, even home. I told her Id gone mad, that I already had a wife whod kick us both out. She threatened to make my life miserable. Ill give your Zoe a birth certificate and let her sort it out. Thatll be the end of it. She barely forgave me, didnt speak to me for six months. So I thought, let the boy stay with you a month and then Ill fetch him, he muttered, never meeting my eyes.
I shook my head, Thats how you were as a child, and youve never changed. If anything goes wrong, Ill help you, but where to put him? And he isnt even of our sortare you sure hes yours?
Nicholas waved his hand, Hes mine, no doubt. Valeries no saint, but a good mother nonetheless. We fell silent. I sprang to my feet, What am I sitting here for? Lets at least get him some food.
Nicholas stood, Sorry, Mum, I must be off. Zoes waiting at home. Ive told her Im heading to town for spare parts. Feed Basil and Ill be on my way. He gave me a quick hug, whispering, Godspeed, my dear.
Basil ate with a greedy glance at his plate, never looking away. More? I asked, pitying his haste. No thank you, he replied, rising from the table. Go out for a walk, Ill finish dinner. Whats in that knapsack? I asked.
Stuff, he grumbled.
I tilted my head, Will you wash it yourself or shall I? He lifted his eyes, frightened, I cant. Mum always did the washing. I lifted his small bag, Take it, Ill rinse whats dirty. He disappeared, and I began sorting through his simple belongingstwo Tshirts, a pair of shorts, a few underpants.
Hardly enough, I muttered, Not even a warm jumper. The poor things still a baby. I soaked the clothes in a basin while a cherry pie baked in the oven.
A sudden cry rose from the lane. I dropped the dishcloth and ran out, flour still on my hands. Whats happened? I called.
Basil wailed, clutching his leg, A goose bit me! It hurts! Tears streamed down his face. Why were you near them? The geese were grazing out there, and you were in the yard, I asked, noting the angry red spot on his shin.
I only wanted to look at them, he hiccuped. Ive never seen geese up close before, I teased. Well, lets get you inside. Ill put some ointment on that. I led him back, laid him on the settee, and tried to settle down for the night. The world felt odd as if fate had turned my own grandson into a strangers child. I couldnt help but think how different things might have been if Id never sent my own boy, Colin, to that old womans house.
Later, the boys soft whimper reached my ears. I crouched beside him, Whats wrong, love? Does my house not feel right? Wait a month and Mum will fetch you back.
He sat up, his voice trembling, She wont. I heard Mum and Uncle Victor talking. When they come theyll send me to a boarding school, only letting me out for holidays. I dont want that; Im happy at home with you. Uncle Colin doesnt even call me by name. Youre kind, but Im no use to you.
My heart clenched. I held his thin frame, Dont cry, Basil. I wont let you be hurt. Ill speak to your Mum, and you can stay with me. We have a good school nearby, teachers who care. Well pick mushrooms, gather berries, milk our cow. Youre small now, but a splash of fresh milk will make you strong. Youll see, tomorrow Ill introduce you to Paul, a good lad, as round as a dumpling. Will you trust me?
He hugged my neck, I will. Will you keep your word?
I kissed his crown, Of course, my dear.
Years slipped by. Occasionally, Valerie visited, bringing little parcels, always hurrying off as Victor urged her back to the city. Nicholas turned up now and then. Zoe, upon learning of Basil, blamed herself, saying the grandchildren werent needed, only the odd trinket. I cared little for her accusations. The skinny boy grew into a sturdy lad, a real powerhouse. Each morning Id set the table with his favourite dishes, peeking through the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.
One day a young soldier knocked at the door, his voice soft, Grandma, Im back, where are you? I bolted from the kitchen and threw my arms around his neck, Basil, my cherished grandson!
Will you be going home? I asked. He set his fork down, surprised, Which home? The one that tossed me aside and only sent trinkets once a year? No, I wont go. My Mum is you, and thats settled, he said, calmly resuming his meal.
A tear slipped down my cheek, hidden beneath a smile, for at last I had a grandson who truly belonged to me, a comfort and a help in my twilight years. My dear Basil, my blood.
