«Take Him Away, Someone!»
«Laura, are you out of your mind? What do you mean, ‘take him away’? Paul is your son! You can’t just give him up like thathand him over!» Olivia stood in the middle of the kitchen, gripping a dish towel so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Laura sat at the table, nervously fidgeting with the edge of the tablecloth.
«Mum, why are you making such a drama out of it?» Laura leaned back in her chair, feigning indifference. «I dont have to sacrifice my life for a child. Im only thirty-two, in case youve forgotten.»
Olivia sank onto the chair opposite her daughter, her chest tightening with dread. Laura continued,
«Ive finally found a decent man, Mum. Andrew proposed. We want to move in together, start fresh.» She looked up at her mother. «But Paul Paul would just get in the way. You understand, new relationship, adjustmentsall that.»
«Paul is only twelve, Laura!» Olivias voice wavered. «He needs his mother. Hell know youre throwing him away for some for Andrew.»
Olivia saw her daughter flinch, but Laura quickly collected herself, waving a hand dismissively.
«Itll be fine, Mum. Stop overreacting.» She stood, pacing the kitchen. «I need to sort out my own life, understand? Not fuss over a child day and night. Besides, hes old enough to manage on his own. Plenty of boys his age are independent.»
Olivia stared, barely recognizing her once-sweet girl. When had she become so selfish? She stood and walked to the window.
«No, Laura. I wont allow it. Absolutely not.» Olivia turned back. «You cant do this to your own son.»
«Oh, here we go again!» Laura snatched her bag from the chair. «I thought youd understand, support me. But youfine, Ill handle it myself.»
With a slam of the door, Laura was gone. Olivia remained in the kitchen, staring at the closed door, her heart heavy with foreboding.
Three months later, Olivia stood in a banquet hall, watching her daughters wedding. Guests laughed, music blared, but joy eluded her. She moved between tables, smiling politely, though unease coiled inside her.
Finally, she approached the newlyweds. Andrew was animatedly chatting with friends while Laura beamed beside him in her white dress.
«Laura,» Olivia touched her daughters shoulder. «Wheres Paul? I dont see him among the guests.»
Laura spun around, irritation flashing in her eyes. She grabbed Olivias arm, pulling her aside as if afraid Andrew might overhear.
«Mum, have you lost it? Why bring this up in front of everyone?»
«Where is your son? Hes not at your wedding?» Olivia pressed.
Laura pursed her lips, looking away.
«Andrew doesnt really get along with Paul.» She spoke quickly, eager to dismiss the topic. «So he stayed home. No point ruining the celebration, right? Hed be bored anyway.»
Olivia stepped back, eyes wide. Her chest tightened.
«You left a twelve-year-old alone at home on your wedding day because your new husband doesnt like him?» Olivias voice shook with anger and pain. «Laura, whats happened to you? Thats your son!»
«Mum, dont make a scene!» Laura glanced nervously at the guests. «This is my day. Dont ruin it with your lectures.»
Olivia turned silently and walked out. Laura called after her, but she didnt look back. Outside, she hailed a taxi.
«Primrose Lane, number eighteen,» she told the driver.
The whole ride, Olivia thought of her grandson. Was he alright? What was he feeling? The boy had already grown up without a fathernow his mother had abandoned him.
She climbed to the third floor and knocked.
«Paul, its Mumyour grandma! Open up, please.» She leaned against the door.
Footsteps approached.
«Gran, is that really you?»
«Of course, sweetheart. Open the door.»
The lock clicked. Paul stood in the doorwaydishevelled, eyes red from crying. Olivia pulled him into a tight embrace.
His voice trembled as he asked,
«Gran, does Mum not love me anymore?» He sniffled. «She left me alone for her wedding. Said I had to stay quiet and not answer the door.»
Olivia held him tighter, a lump in her throat.
«Paul, pack your things. Youre coming to live with me.» She cupped his face. «Everything will be alright, I promise.»
As Paul gathered his belongings, Olivia sent Laura a message:
«Paul is staying with me.»
The reply came instantly:
«See? I suggested that from the start. You shouldve listened.»
Olivia turned off her phone. She had no energy left for this.
Her two-bedroom flat had just enough space. Paul took Lauras old room. At first, he was withdrawnquiet. But Olivia did her best to cheer him up.
«Paul, want to learn how to make the best pancakes in the world?» she asked one morning.
He nodded, and together they stood at the stove. She showed him how to mix the batter just right.
«Gran why doesnt Mum ever call?» Paul asked, shaping the batter into circles.
Olivia paused, then stroked his hair gently.
«Adults make mistakes, Paul. Big ones. But its never your fault. Youre a wonderful boy, and I love you dearly.»
Slowly, life improved. Olivia enrolled Paul in swimming and coding classeshed always wanted to design games. He flourished, growing more confident.
Years passed in a blur. Paul grew from a shy boy into a tall, steady young man. Laura had called only a handful of timesalways about paperwork. She and Andrew had a daughter now, and from the rare photos online, she seemed happy with her new family.
They celebrated Pauls eighteenth birthday quietly.
«Hard to believe youre all grown up,» Olivia said fondly.
After the guests left, they tidied up together. Olivia washed dishes while Paul dried.
«Paul, theres something you should know,» she said, turning off the tap. «The flat where your mother lives its yours.»
Paul froze, towel in hand.
«How is it mine?»
«Your father he passed when you were five.» Olivia chose her words carefully. «But he left a will. The flat was to be yours at eighteen. Your mother was just the guardian until then.»
«So its legally mine?»
Olivia nodded.
«Completely. Its your inheritance.»
For the next two weeks, Paul was unusually quiet. Olivia didnt pryhe was old enough to figure things out.
Then, early one morning, the phone rang. Laura hadnt called in years.
«Mum, what have you done?» she shrieked. «Why did you tell Paul about the will? Now hes threatening to evict us! Hes talking about court!»
Olivia exhaled wearily, sitting at the kitchen table.
«Laura, I did what was right. The flat belongs to Paul. His father ensured that.» Her voice was calm. «But you wouldnt understand. Youve only ever thought of yourself. You never cared how he wasjust wanted his property. Well, it wont happen.»
«Mum, have you gone mad? Where will we live? I have a family!»
«Ask Andrew. Let him provide for you instead of squatting in a boys homethe same boy you cast out five years ago.» She paused. «I stayed silent until Paul turned eighteen because I couldnt act sooner. But now Ill help him get whats his. And dont bother arguing.»
She hung up. Turning, she found Paul standing in the doorway, a faint smile on his face.
«Thank you, Gran,» he said softly.
Olivia smiled back.
«Well sort this, Paul. Well get your home back.»
Paul hugged her tightlyjust as shed hugged him on Lauras wedding day.
«Gran, youve been my mum and dad. I love you so much. Ill never leave you alone. Were family. Dont ever forget that.»
And in that moment, Olivia knewlove, not blood, makes a home.
