Dorothy Wilson reviewed her shopping list, which included only affordable and essential items. Despite working her entire life, her pension was meager. At times, this upset the elderly woman so much that she would spend the entire evening crying in her one-bedroom apartment.
Usually, after such evenings, her blood pressure would spike, and insomnia would set in, but Dorothy had grown accustomed to managing these episodes with medication.
She paused by the counter with loose candies. As usual, she scooped up a few handfuls for her grandson, Tommy. In truth, she was only comforting herself; she gave the candies to children while sitting on the bench outside her building. Her own daughter forbade her fromcloser from seeing Tommy.
Dorothy returned to her small but cozy apartment. She put away the groceries in the fridge and set the kettle to boil. She checked her blood pressure just to be safe and hesitantly approached the phone. She knew her call wouldn’t change anything, but the candies lying alone on the table compelled her to pick up the receiver.
She slowly dialed her daughter’s number. Nancy, Dorothy’s daughter, didn’t have a landline, but the elderly woman had memorized her mobile number. After several long rings, an unfriendly voice answered:
— Hello.
— Nancy, dear, hello, — Dorothy faltered, not expecting her daughter to pick up.
— Hello.
— How are things at home?
— Don’t act like you care, — Nancy snapped irritably.
— Nancy, dear, I do care… I really want to see Tommy, — tears welled up in her eyes. Elderly people often struggle to control their emotions, especially when it comes to children and grandchildren.
— Forget you even have a grandson! — the woman shouted angrily.
— Don’t say that… — Dorothy sobbed.
— You seemed fine with that idea before.
— What are you talking about, Nancy?
— You know exactly what I mean.
— Can I at least see him for a little while? — the elderly woman pleaded, no longer trying to hide her tears.
— No! You can’t! I don’t want to talk to you after what you did! How could you do that? There’s no forgiveness for you, and you won’t see Tommy, so stop getting your friends to call and beg for you.
— I didn’t do anything like that… — but Nancy had already hung up.
For a few seconds, Dorothy listened to the short beeps from the old landline phone. Though she was deeply hurt by the sudden deterioration of her relationship with her daughter, she truly had no idea who could have called Nancy to ask about meeting Tommy. Perhaps these thoughts saved Dorothy from the devastating effects of a nervous breakdown.
She went to the kitchen, took out her medicine kit, and added calming drops to a glass of water, drinking it slowly. Then she walked to her bed and lay down, still pondering her daughter’s words.
Meanwhile, Nancy was restless. It wasn’t the first time she’d heard her mother’s tears over the phone, but she had no intention of changing her mind. If she said her mother wouldn’t see Tommy, that was final.
— Was that your mother calling? — Andrew, Nancy’s husband, approached.
— Yes, — she admitted reluctantly. — Since when did you start eavesdropping?
— You were shouting so loud the whole neighborhood heard, — Andrew chuckled and hugged Nancy, trying to diffuse the tension.
He knew about his wife’s conflict with her mother but had no idea what it was about. He’d tried to talk to Nancy about it several times, but she always dodged the topic or refused to answer.
— She wants to see Tommy, — Nancy said through gritted teeth.
— So what’s the problem? Let them meet.
— You don’t understand! — Nancy pulled away from her husband’s embrace and moved to the other side of the room.
— Then explain it to me! I still don’t know what kind of soap opera you two have going on.
— And you won’t.
— You can’t keep hiding your grandson from Dorothy forever.
— I’m not ready to forgive her yet, — Nancy insisted.
— Be careful it doesn’t become too late. How old is your mother?
— Seventy-five.
— Think about reconciling with her. It’s tough for her to spend her old age alone.
— You know, I had a tough time at another point in my life, — Andrew raised an eyebrow, expecting her to continue, but Nancy fell silent. — I’m going to take a shower, — she muttered, escaping her husband’s attentive gaze.
Dorothy felt better the next day. She went down to the bench outside her building, across from a playground where children were chasing each other. Watching them, she couldn’t help but smile.
She loved children and had dreamed of a big family when she was young. But life hadn’t worked out that way. She struggled to find the right man, then faced issues with pregnancy, and during Nancy’s birth, severe complications arose. In those days, little could be done, and the doctors had to remove her uterus to save her life.
Of course, her dreams of a large family were shattered, and she was only thirty. She was devastated, especially since her husband also wanted several children. When Dorothy finally mustered the courage to tell him what happened, he couldn’t handle it and left her.
So Dorothy was left alone with her child. It was incredibly hard to survive, but she managed, driven by her boundless love for her daughter, Nancy. And now, Nancy hated her. A few tears rolled down Dorothy’s sunken cheeks.
— Grandma, why are you crying? — a little girl in a white dress asked.
— Oh, the sun’s just too bright, shining right in my eyes, — Dorothy smiled. — Thank you for your concern, sweetheart.
— Why are you sitting here? — the girl asked. — By the way, my name’s Lily.
— I’m Grandma Dorothy, — the elderly woman smiled. — I’m sitting here so I don’t feel lonely in my apartment.
— Are you lonely?
— Very much, sweetheart, — Dorothy sighed.
— Let’s play then! — Lily clapped her hands.
— How can I play with you? I’m old, and you probably want to run around.
— Lily! — a man’s voice called. — Where are you?
— I’m here, Daddy! — the girl replied brightly.
Dorothy looked at the man emerging from around the corner of the building. Not very tidy, but definitely not a drinker. More like exhausted.
— Lily, I told you not to run off or talk to strangers, — the man sighed. — Sorry, Lily’s very chatty, — he said to Dorothy.
— She’s not a stranger! — Lily protested. — This is Grandma Dorothy, we’ve already met. She’s lonely at home, so she came out to play.
— To play? — the man asked, surprised, and Dorothy laughed.
— I’m just warming my bones, dear, — the elderly woman explained. — But you’re right, Lily, you should listen to your dad. There are bad people out there, and you’re lucky I’m not one of them. Oh, I almost forgot, here, take some candy, — Dorothy offered the girl a handful of candies.
— What do you say? — her father prompted.
— Thank you, Grandma Dorothy! — The little girl hugged the elderly woman, and Dorothy smiled. — But I want to play with you more!
— Lily, that’s not polite, — her father said, concerned.
— It’s fine, — Dorothy replied. — I’m completely free and would love to play with Lily. As long as it’s not tag, — she added after a pause.
— Let’s all play a word game! — Lily clapped again.
— I know how to play that, — Dorothy agreed.
— Sorry, this is so awkward, — the man said, embarrassed, but Dorothy smiled, thrilled to feel needed and interesting to someone.
— You’re a champ, — Dorothy praised the girl. — You won.
— Yay, yay, yay! — Lily cheered. — Now I’ll go make us pies and cookies in the sandbox to celebrate.
— Go ahead, sweetie, — her father smiled. — Thank you for playing with my daughter.
— It’s nothing, it was a pleasure to meet such a worthy opponent, — Dorothy smiled.
— Do you have grandchildren? — the man asked.
— I do… — Dorothy’s face fell. Lily’s father noticed.
— Something wrong? — he asked.
— My daughter and I have a complicated relationship, — Dorothy explained. — She doesn’t want me to see my grandson.
— Really? How come? — the man was shocked.
— We’re still too new to each other for me to unload my life story, — Dorothy smiled.
— Well, Lily really likes you. I haven’t seen her this happy in a while. You know, her mom passed away during childbirth, so I haven’t been able to give her enough attention while earning a living, — Dorothy gasped and clasped her hands.
— Oh, I can see you’re completely worn out. My condolences.
— Thanks. I’m James, by the way. I take it you do your own grocery shopping because of the issues with your daughter?
— Of course, I manage.
— How about I pick up groceries and meds for you a couple of times a week, and you can play with Lily some more?
— Oh, James, no need for that! — Dorothy waved her hands. — I’ll play with Lily anyway! She’s such a sweet girl.
— I know you manage, but it’s better when someone can help, — James smiled.
Tears welled up in Dorothy’s eyes. To think, a stranger was doing more for her than her own daughter.
— Thank you, James… Sorry, — she reached for a handkerchief.
— It’s okay, don’t worry, — he patted her thin shoulder kindly.
From that day, Dorothy and Lily became friends. James had more time for work, and Dorothy offered to have Lily over, which the girl eagerly accepted. James saw no threat in Dorothy, especially since Lily always shared stories about Grandma Dorothy, who knew countless fairy tales—no surprise, given her past as a librarian.
James shopped for Dorothy’s simple groceries. It pained him to see her modest list: grains, milk, bread, candies for Lily. Once, he asked when she last ate anything besides porridge. Dorothy honestly said she couldn’t remember. Porridge, sometimes cabbage soup or another simple dish. James shook his head and decided that wouldn’t do. Dorothy had good dentures that allowed her to eat meat, so on his next trip, he bought her ground beef, meat, sausage, cheese, fresh vegetables, various fruits, and quality loose tea instead of the cheapest tea bags.
When he arrived at her apartment with several bags and set them by the fridge, Dorothy’s eyes nearly popped out.
— Jimmy, I think you forgot your groceries, — she called.
— Dorothy, this is yours, — James brushed it off.
— What… Mine… — her eyes widened even more.
— There was a sale, so I grabbed a few things.
— Jimmy, how much do I owe you…
— Nothing, — he said firmly.
— Nothing? — she blinked in shock.
— Dorothy, at your age, you need to eat well. So cook to your heart’s content, — James smiled.
— Oh, what… How… — tears streamed down Dorothy’s face.
The groceries cost a small fortune, and since she only gave him money for essentials, he must have paid out of his own pocket.
— Now, now, no need to cry, everything’s fine.
— I don’t know how to thank you…
— No need to thank me.
From then on, James made Dorothy’s grocery list himself. She resisted his generosity as best she could, but he wouldn’t hear it. Especially since Dorothy spent all day with Lily, allowing him to work uninterrupted, which boosted his income.
James was a successful realtor, and the more time he spent showing properties, the more deals he closed. Buying groceries for Dorothy was no burden, and she had to accept it.
Of course, Dorothy didn’t stay in his debt and constantly invited James and Lily for lunches, dinners, and pies. They grew so close that she began to see him almost as a son, even giving him a spare key to her apartment, given all he’d done for her.
But she desperately wanted to mend things with her daughter. To see her grandson, to introduce him to Lily—they were the same age. For complete happiness, she only needed Nancy’s forgiveness. So one evening, after James had picked up Lily, Dorothy decided to call her daughter.
— God, what now? — Nancy answered irritably.
— Hello, Nancy, dear. I wanted to check how you and Tommy are doing.
— We’re fine. And I think I asked you not to call me.
— But it’s been almost a year since my last call… — Dorothy’s heart ached.
Amid the warmth and care she received from James, she’d almost forgotten how cruelly her daughter spoke to her.
— I’m still not ready to forgive you, — Nancy cut her off.
— But, Nancy, dear… I might not have much time left…
— Stop with the nonsense and guilt trips, — Nancy snapped harshly.
Those words made Dorothy’s vision darken, and her heart burned with pain.
— Nancy, I’m not feeling well, — she said weakly.
— And you felt fine back then, huh? When you were poisoning me with those pills! — Dorothy didn’t hear the last part.
A sharp pain stabbed her heart, and her vision blurred. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed into a chair. She was conscious but barely aware. The pain was excruciating—burning, crushing, radiating to her left arm and neck. Cold sweat broke out.
— Dorothy! — James shouted from the hallway. — Lily forgot her toy and wouldn’t sleep without it. Have you seen… Oh my God! — he rushed into the room. — Dorothy, can you hear me?! Hold on, I’m calling an ambulance!
— What ambulance? — Nancy paled, still berating her mother over the phone. — Hello! — she shouted into the receiver, but James was already on his mobile, making the call.
Nancy waited until he finished, then shouted into the phone again.
— What the… Oh, hello? — James picked up the landline.
— Who am I speaking to? — Nancy asked sharply.
— Listen, if you’re selling something to Dorothy, back off!
— Wait! I’m her daughter! What happened to her? — Nancy’s tone shifted to worry.
— Oh, you’re the daughter who abandoned your sick, elderly mother.
— How dare you speak to me like that?! — Nancy fumed.
— I don’t know, maybe because I’ve never seen you? Maybe because you haven’t visited your mother once in a year? Or maybe because your little family chat seems to have given Dorothy a heart attack? — James retorted sarcastically, checking Dorothy’s pulse.
Dorothy closed her eyes, breathing heavily. A loud ringing filled her ears, drowning out all words. Nancy fell silent.
— Where’s the ambulance taking her?
— I’m not sure you deserve to know, — James said sourly.
— Trust me, I do, — Nancy snapped. — I’m her closest relative; they’ll tell me anyway.
— Fair enough. I don’t know, check which hospital’s on duty today. I hear sirens. Goodbye, — he hung up.
The ambulance arrived quickly, gave Dorothy oxygen, administered medications, and took her away on a stretcher. They got her to the hospital and started intensive care, placing her in the ICU. The staff told James the critical period wasn’t over, and it was unclear if she’d pull through. It was a massive heart attack.
James left his number as the contact, as he had to return to his daughter. But first, he’d stop by Dorothy’s apartment to gather her essentials; she’d make it, she was tough. Life had battered her, so what was a heart attack?
James tried to calm himself with random thoughts on the way to Dorothy’s apartment. There, he grabbed clothes from her closet and looked for her documents. He was deeply worried about her health, hoping for the best. He’d personally block her daughter’s number himself. He had no doubt they’d fought, and Dorothy’s heart couldn’t take it.
They called him at ten the next morning. Dorothy had stabilized, and the danger had passed. A weight lifted off James’s shoulders; he exhaled and thanked the nurse for the call. He asked when he could visit, and they said he could bring her things in a week, as she’d stay in the ICU as a precaution.
All week, Lily asked about Grandma Dorothy. The girl missed her and worried about her health. James explained that Dorothy had fought with her daughter, which landed her in the hospital, but she was doing better now. No need to scare a little girl with the possibility of death.
Lily insisted on visiting with her dad, and James, knowing Dorothy would be delighted, agreed. On the visiting day, James and Lily packed several large bags with clothes, shoes, toiletries, tasty food, fruits, and vegetables—everything that could fit in the car. They both wanted Dorothy to feel comfortable in the hospital. Lily included her drawings for Grandma Dorothy, and James started the car.
— Hello, can you tell me which room Dorothy Wilson is in? — James greeted the nurse.
— Hello, and you are?
— I called the ambulance, a family friend, so to speak.
— Got it. Room 306, but there’s a visitor there already. Won’t it be too crowded?
— Who’s the visitor? — James frowned.
— A woman, says she’s her daughter.
— Oh, I won’t intrude, just dropping off some bags, — James replied and headed to the room.
What a daughter she was! She’d probably cause another heart attack. Lily opened the door, and James stepped in quickly, ready to shoo Nancy away if she was upsetting her mother.
— Jimmy, Lily! — Dorothy beamed.
— Dorothy, you scared us! How are you holding up? — James approached the bed, glancing at the woman sitting nearby. She looked about 30–35, just sitting quietly. Dorothy didn’t seem agitated.
— Everything’s fine, they’re taking great care of me, — Dorothy smiled.
— Grandma Dorothy, don’t end up in the hospital again! — Lily hugged her.
— I’ll try not to, sweetheart, — she patted the girl’s head.
— I take it you’re the one who called the ambulance, James? — Nancy spoke up.
— That’s me, — James nodded, not eager to chat with her.
— Thank you, but maybe explain how you ended up in my mother’s apartment? Who are you, exactly?
— Why do you care? — James challenged.
— Jimmy, please. This is Nancy, my daughter. And this is James, he helps me with errands and lets me spend time with Lily, — Dorothy said.
— Oh, was that a jab at me? — Nancy bristled.
— Nancy, dear, I didn’t mean anything by it.
— Sure you did. Don’t play dumb.
— Look, either make up right now, or you’ll have to leave, Nancy, so Dorothy doesn’t get worse, — James crossed his arms.
— You don’t even know what she did to me, — Nancy said coldly.
— So maybe it’s time to tell me? You’re here, clearly worried about your mom, — Nancy paused, sighing heavily.
— My mother’s had a tough life, — she began. — She had bad luck with her husband, pregnancy, and childbirth. They both wanted a big family, but it was just me. My dad left her because she couldn’t have more kids after me, and she poured all her love into me. Her dream of a big family didn’t come true, so she decided I shouldn’t have kids either.
When my first husband and I were trying… it wasn’t working. Then I found out she was slipping me strong birth control pills because I visited her every day! I don’t know if it was in my tea or coffee, but she was dosing me! My first husband and I split because of it! I loved him! But he left me, saying he didn’t want someone defective.
Then I caught her red-handed: I found the pill packet in her bag. You’re not going to tell me you were taking birth control, are you, Mom?!
— Nancy… I can’t take this anymore… It wasn’t like that! — Dorothy exclaimed.
— Oh, it was exactly like that! If I hadn’t found those pills and cut you off, I wouldn’t have my kids now!
— Okay, Nancy, you’ve said your piece. Dorothy, maybe you can tell your side now? — James asked.
— What’s there to tell? Your first husband was the one giving you those pills, — Dorothy sighed. — He didn’t want kids, and you were so upset that you couldn’t conceive, so desperate for a family… I found the pill packet, read the instructions, and figured out why you couldn’t have kids. I told him I knew and would tell you.
But he was in love with you then and said if I told you, you wouldn’t believe me, and he’d leave you with a kid when it was too late for an abortion. He knew you’d keep the baby, and I knew how hard it is for a woman to raise a child alone. He just wanted to play with you. I still wanted to tell you, hoping you’d trust your mother more than your husband, but I was wrong.
You saw the pills I took from his desk. Then… you remember the fight. You wouldn’t listen to me, just like he said. You kicked me out of your apartment, told me not to call… But he must have kept giving you the pills because you still didn’t get pregnant. If you don’t believe me, call him and ask. I think he’ll tell the truth now, — Dorothy finished.
Nancy sat in shock. She realized her mother’s story rang true because, even after the fight, she stayed with her first husband for another year and still didn’t conceive. She pulled out her phone.
— I’ll do just that, — she said grimly and left the room.
— Dorothy, was it really like that? — James asked, stunned.
— Yes, — she shrugged. — I’m partly to blame, but not enough to keep me from my grandson. How are you and Lily doing? — she changed the subject.
Lily was thrilled to have the floor and chattered nonstop about the past week, showing her drawings and saying how much she missed Grandma Dorothy and couldn’t wait for her to come home. About ten minutes later, Nancy returned. Her mascara was smeared across her red, tear-streaked face.
— Mom… Mommy, I’m so sorry! — Nancy sobbed, collapsing to her knees by Dorothy’s bed. — You were telling the truth! I didn’t believe you all this time! I kept you from your grandson for ten years, oh God! Forgive me! What kind of daughter am I?!
— Nancy, darling, that’s enough, — Dorothy hugged her daughter, who kept crying into the cold hospital blanket. — I still love you so much. You’re my daughter.
James tugged Lily’s sleeve, deciding they’d given the mother and daughter enough space to reconcile. He was overjoyed that the decade-long conflict was resolved.
Lily and James visited Dorothy every day until her discharge. They planned to pick her up from the hospital in their car. Dorothy shared that Nancy now visited often, constantly apologizing and trying to make up for lost time.
On discharge day, James walked Dorothy to the hospital doors, and a surprise awaited her in the parking lot. Next to James’s car stood Nancy, holding a boy’s hand. He broke free and ran to Dorothy, shouting joyfully:
— Grandma!
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