Short Story Competition #2 Winning Entry

Written by Phil Parkinson
Shropshire UK

Burden

Two weeks after John's funeral, Grace was sitting in the conservatory having coffee with her daughter and son-in-law. Outside in the chilly, autumnal garden her grandsons were chasing each other with sticks.

They were discussing the future and what was to be done with the house: it was far too large for her to manage alone. "I don't want to cause any trouble …"

Grace had begun when Ruth interrupted her: "Don't be silly Mum, you can come and live with us." Her voice was concerned, warm and sympathetic. "Whenever you feel ready, that is." Ruth looked across to her husband whose calculating eyes at that point were - 1 -gazing upwards, examining the conservatory roof, as though checking for leaks. "Can't she David?" David lowered his eyes to look directly at his mother-in-law. His mouth softened into its habitual professional, smile. "Of course."

"We've got plenty of room," Ruth continued, "now that Amy's left for college, and the boys don't mind sharing."

Shrieks from the garden drew Grace's glance over her daughter's shoulder. Her twin grandsons had thankfully abandoned their sticks and were at that moment wrestling violently on the lawn. Just beyond their writhing forms she noticed that in the border, John's beloved Japanese anemones had been crushed. Inwardly she sighed, hearing again his absent, exasperated voice as he discovered another of the twin's destructions: "Why doesn't Ruth do something about those boys?" He had said it on more than one occasion. "Why can't she see that if they go charging around all the time they're bound to do some proper damage."

Grace tried to soothe her husband's irritation. "Don't get so over-excited dear. You know what the doctor said. You've got to try to relax more. Ruth does her best with them but they're still only young. And after all boys will be boys. They need to let off steam. They aren't like Amy was. You forget that we're not used to having male children in the family. They don't mean any harm."

John's exasperation was undiminished. "I can't understand why she had to go and have more children. She's too old to have started all over again. For goodness sakes, Amy's practically grown up. And as for David… I mean he's got how many from his previous marriage? Three? Four? Honestly you'd think the chap would have known better by now. Neither of them is getting any younger."

"I'm sure they had their reasons dear. We mustn't interfere. It's their life and it's a new start for both of them." Grace had always been the peacemaker: trying to keep everyone happy all of the time.

But now as she watched her two young grandsons rolling about on the lawn she realised that perhaps John had been right all along. The burden was too great for her to keep quiet anymore.

Grace turned to look at her daughter. Ruth was smiling, believing herself to have arranged a rosy future for her widowed mother: a future that would see her surrounded by those who loved her most.

"You didn't let me finish darling," began Grace. " I don't want to cause any trouble but I couldn't possibly live with you because I believe that your boys' behaviour would drive me to an early grave."

© Phil Parkinson 2005

Linghams Booksellers Wirral UK

ABOUT LINGHAMS BOOKSELLERS

Linghams Booksellers have two bookshops on Wirral, one in Heswall and one in West Kirby, both also stocking top quality early learning materials, children's toys, sheet music and musical accessories. Their staff are knowledgeable and have their own specialities within the shops enabling them to give you advice whatever your requirements.

Linghams have up to a dozen author events each year with local and national authors talking about their books, and signing copies. With competitive prices and worldwide postage - why not give the Linghams website a visit - you won't be disappointed!

Maybe you enjoy entering competitions or are you even ‘Comping Crazy’ - if so check out www.britabevis.co.uk