The old woman sat on the bench facing the house that was no longer hers.
Grandma Eliza settled onto the wooden seat, gazing at the cottage where she had spent her entire life. Yet now it belonged to others, and she remained only by their kindness. Eliza couldnt fathom how she had come to this. She had lived honestly, never wished harm upon anyone, and raised her only son with care.
But her son had not turned out as shed hoped. Eliza let bitter tears roll down her cheeks as she reflected on her years. The memories began with her wedding to her beloved Edward. A year later, their son Thomas was born. Later, twinsa boy and a girlarrived, but they were too frail and did not survive the week. Soon after, Edward succumbed to appendicitis. The doctors had not caught the cause of his pain in time, and once the infection set in, it was too late.
Eliza wept deeply for her husband, but tears could not change her fate. Life had to go on. She never married again, though suitors had come. She feared Thomas might struggle with a stepfather, so she devoted herself entirely to her sons upbringing.
Thomas grew and chose his own path, moving to London. There, he pursued his profession, married, and built his own life. Grandma Eliza stayed behind in the little cottage Edward had built when they wed, living there until old age.
Thomas visited occasionally, chopping wood, fetching water, helping where he could. But each year, the work became harder for Eliza. She kept only a goat and a few chickens, yet even that required effort.
One day, Thomas arrived with a stranger.
«Hello, Mother,» he greeted her.
«Hello, Tommy.»
«This is my friend Henry,» Thomas continued. «He wishes to buy the cottage. It’s time you came to live with me in the city.»
Eliza sank onto the bench, stunned.
«Dont worry, Mother. My wife doesnt mind. Well take care of youyoull be comfortable and help with the grandchildren. They ask when Granny Eliza will come.»
So they decided for her. What could she do, an old woman? She could no longer manage the home alone, but at least she would see her grandchildren.
***************
The sale was swift. Before leaving, Eliza bid farewell to her home, touching every corner steeped in memory. Stepping into the garden, behind the old shed, she was met with silence that tightened her chest. Not long ago, the goat had bleated, the hens had clucked, life had thrived there. Now, it was empty.
She scooped a handful of soil, earth she had worked day and night. It pained her to leave the village where she had been born and lived her whole life. The neighbours wept as they saw her off, promising prayers for her in her new home.
With a last glance at the cottage, she climbed into her sons car. What else could she do? Such was the cruel nature of old age.
At first, life with Thomas was pleasant. There was little workno stove to tend, no livestock to mind, everything modern and easy. Eliza played with her grandchildren, watched television.
But soon, with the money from the sale, Thomas bought a new automobile. Eliza objected, saying it was unwise to spend so quickly, but he cut her off. She neednt worry about money, he said. She had warmth, comfortwhat more did she need?
From then on, Eliza kept silent, though her sons harsh words left a wound. Worse, she noticed his familys warmth fading. The grandchildren grew disobedient, her daughter-in-law indifferent.
They stopped asking if she had eaten, if she slept well, if she needed anything. In time, they scarcely spoke to her, snapping if she spoke out of turn, if she was in the way.
Eliza was wretched. Had she known she would become a burden, she would never have sold the cottage. Better to starve in her own home than live like a stranger under her sons roof.
She wept for her cottage daily. If she could return, she would, without hesitation. But the house was sold, others lived there now.
One day, she could bear no more.
«I never thought, Tommy,» she said, «that my old age would be so bitter in your home. It seems money mattered more to you than your own mother. Im leavingall of you.»
Thomas lowered his gaze, silent. Only as Eliza, with her meagre bundle, crossed the threshold did he speak:
«When you tire of wandering, Mother, you may come back.»
She shut the door without a word, and on the landing, she wept. It cut deep that he had not held her, not pleaded for her to stayonly offered cold permission to return when she was worn out.
***************
It took Eliza over a day to reach her village again. She slept at the station, hitched rides, her eyes never dry. Only when she saw her dear cottage did she calm. The new owners had repaired it, painted itit looked almost as it had when she had lived there with her Edward.
Though the house was no longer hers, Eliza did not dwell on it. She slipped into the old pig sheds loft, deciding to live there. What mattered was being within familiar walls.
Her only fear was discoverythat they would cast her out, as her own son had. Then she would truly have nowhere to go.
It did not take long. The next morning, the owner came to feed the pigs. He poured the feed, looked up, and said:
«Come down, Grandma Eliza. We must talk.»
She had not expected to be found so soon. Trembling, she descended.
What she heard next astonished her:
«Granny Eliza,» said Henrythe very man her son had introduced»my wife and I know your story. Your son called, warned us you might return. We know you did not find peace in his home. It isnt right for you to live in a shed. This was your houseyou and your husband built it, tended it for years. There will always be room for you here. Now, come inside. Wash up. My wife makes a wonderful stew.»
Fresh tears came, not of sorrow, but of gratitude. Strangers had shown more kindness than her own flesh and blood.
As she crossed the threshold, Eliza swayed on her feet. The scent of her life lingered in the air. She understood nowher son had made her a beggar in her own home. Her heart ached, yet her lips whispered a prayer for Thomas, that God might forgive him.
