Who would have thought that Emily, a formerly successful engineer and respected mother of two, would wake up one day in a nursing home?
She had a very interesting, eventful life. Like all mothers in her position, she was constantly torn between home and her work. Many of her classmates wondered all the time how she was able to combine work and the household so perfectly, and on top of that, to raise two children. Yes, no one knew how hard she worked, except for herself.
But apparently, at some point in her upbringing, something went wrong. She always been a kind, compassionate and loving person. But, alas, she never succeeded in instilling that in her children. In spite of all her former benefactors, time has not been kind to her.
And now here she was, an infirm, elderly, and largely helpless woman. She did not expect that her children would not need her. She hadn’t seen her oldest son in a dozen years. Once he left to work in the far east, he remained there to live. Not every year she received news from him, which covered her distressed face with new wrinkles, and her eyes increasingly took on a dull color. As for her daughter… Well, she found no comfort there either. You know, she has her own family, worries, and who needs an elderly mother …
Emily stared out the window and didn’t notice the way her tear-filled eyes glistened in the reflection. Outside the window the trees rustled faintly, as if in time with her tears the rain softly beat on the frame with its drops. Outside the window people were walking along the sidewalk, clashing with the motley clusters of umbrellas. Life was raging there.
Her birthday was approaching. She closed her eyes for a minute and a slight shadow of a smile lit her lips. She remembered past years, her once young children. A time when she had looked forward to this once joyous celebration as much as her children.
Once there had been many guests for the celebration: relatives, friends, and just employees from work, and most importantly, her children… And now she sat alone, smiling dejectedly, a poor woman.
Suddenly there was a knock:
– “Come in,” Emily could barely squeeze out.
Into the room came several old ladies, led by her roommate, with their assorted slippers.
– Happy birthday, dear Emily! Good health! – they spoke in chorus, to the sound of the rain continuing to fall.
– I didn’t expect…” the woman was confused. – “I wish you’d warned me, you rascals!
– What a surprise it would have been,” said one of the venerable old ladies, and held out a bundle that certainly smelled like something delicious.
– Well, you’ve got up as if you were in a daze! Come in, make yourselves comfortable, my dear,” said the heroine of the occasion.
Years of long feasts had passed, we brewed aromatic tea, ate a a slice of Napoleon, discussed this and that, and soon dispersed to their …and soon dispersed to their lodgings.
…Mommy, Mommy! Happy birthday, – echoed somewhere in the distance. She smiled, she saw her son in her dream. But not the boy she remembered. she remembered him, but a stately, grown-up man.
Mommy, wake up,” she heard her say more clearly. Suddenly she opened her eyes and jumped up in shocked surprise.
– My son? Is this not a dream?! – Her breathing quickened, and her cheeks were moist in an instant.
– It’s not a dream… I’m here, Ma. I wanted to surprise you… How she could have put you here, I didn’t know. I thought you were doing all right.
– I’m all right, son,” said Emily, with poorly concealed wistfulness.
– Come on, we don’t have much time. Our train will be here soon.
– Train? – The mother was perplexed.
– Yes, dear. We’re going home
