While helping her mother prepare dinner in the kitchen, Sarah broached a topic that was not particularly pleasant for her.
— Listen, Mom, maybe you’ll finally make up your mind and move in with us? David and I have talked it over, and he’d be thrilled if you came to live with us.
Sitting down on a chair, Elizabeth Ann sighed heavily and replied:
— No, dear, I’m used to my own place. Besides, all my relatives and friends are here, not to mention my work.
This wasn’t the first time they’d had this conversation, and each time, Sarah met with refusal. Yet she didn’t give up trying to persuade her mother to relocate.
Three years ago, Sarah and David had managed to settle nicely in a nearby city, where they soon bought an apartment. But her mother stayed behind, unwilling to embrace any change. Taking advantage of a vacation she’d managed to get from her boss, Sarah was determined to succeed this time and return home with her mother. Hugging her mother’s shoulders, she added:
— I know you can’t live without your patients. They’re like your own children, needing your care. Don’t think I’m jealous, I just want to point out that it’s time to think about yourself. You’ve been retired for a year now. Tell me, is money really the issue? We’re helping you, so you could quit your job and start living for yourself.
Smiling as if there was something amusing in her words, Elizabeth Ann said:
— See, you measure everything in money, but for me, good deeds are more than enough.
Another attempt failed, and Sarah decided to let her mother be for a while. After all, she hadn’t taken this vacation just to rehash the same old topic. Sitting down beside her mother with a joyful expression, she said softly:
— I came alone on purpose. David was sent on a business trip, though he really wanted to see you too. Guess what? They promised him a hefty bonus for it. And where do you think he’s going to spend it?
Elizabeth Ann took her daughter’s face in her hands and whispered:
— On you, of course. There’s no other option. Let me guess—he’s going to buy you some expensive jewelry, right?
Sarah playfully shook her head before saying:
— Not quite. He’s planning a vacation abroad. We’ve been wanting to go to the beach for ages, but we never had the time. Now his boss won’t dare say no, not after this. By the way, want to come with us?
And just like that, they circled back to the old topic:
— I knew it, Sarah, you didn’t tell me about David’s trip and your sudden vacation for no reason. Look, I can’t just up and leave everything. This is my home, I’m used to this place, and I want to spend the rest of my life here. As for my work, I’m happy knowing I’m still useful. And remember, it’s not the job that defines a person, but how they treat others. I’m just a simple orderly, and yet people respect and value me for my sincerity and kindness.
Sarah felt a pang of embarrassment for getting personal:
— Mom, I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m sorry for meddling again. You’re right—it’s not just about the job. It’s what’s inside a person, right here. — She placed her hand on her chest before continuing. — And if there’s emptiness there, no status can create sincerity or kindness. On the contrary, a person becomes as hard as a stale cracker, or worse, like a stone giant.
Now Elizabeth Ann saw that her daughter hadn’t lost her kindness or empathy. She understood that people have both good and not-so-good qualities, all mixed together, and you never know when or how they’ll show up. With her mother, Sarah was certain she’d never betray or let her down. All these arguments about retirement and rest were just her way of showing she cared. Elizabeth Ann knew this and calmly accepted yet another conversation about moving.
After finally preparing dinner, mother and daughter ate quietly and then settled in to watch their favorite TV show together.
The next morning, as soon as the alarm rang, Elizabeth Ann was already up. Years of working as an orderly in the hospital had conditioned her to rise early and get ready in minutes. Fixing her hair in front of the mirror, she gave a slight smile when she saw her sleepy daughter. Sarah emerged from her room, rubbing her eyes to clear the haze of sleep. Leaving breakfast on the table, Elizabeth Ann said:
— I’m off to work. Don’t get bored. If it’s not too much trouble, swing by the summer house and water the flowers.
Finally focusing her sleepy eyes, Sarah yawned and replied:
— Sure, Mom, I’ll do it. I’ll also stop by Emily’s. When else will I get the chance?
She was referring to her younger sister, who, despite Sarah’s success, chose not to follow in her footsteps and stayed in their hometown like their mother. In that time, Emily had given birth to two children and now devoted herself to raising them.
When Sarah arrived at her sister’s, she couldn’t hold back:
— Come on, Emily, at least you back me up. Mom won’t budge at all. We’re not trying to send her to the middle of nowhere—we just want her to come live with us. Let her enjoy her retirement without worries or hassles. What do you think?
Shaking her head like a pendulum, Emily replied:
— You’re wasting your time. I’ve talked to her about it too, more than once, but it’s no use. You know Mom’s not a nomad—she won’t go traipsing across the country. Once she’s settled somewhere, that’s it. You’d be better off visiting her more often so she doesn’t feel alone.
Sarah gave her a reproachful look but realized her next question would be out of place. It was clear Emily had her hands full and couldn’t always be with their mother. Sarah, on the other hand, hadn’t started a family yet, despite living with David for four years. As the saying goes, rush and you’ll make people laugh. So Sarah wasn’t in a hurry to become a mother, always putting it off for later. Emily picked up on the hint of frustration and quickly changed the subject:
— I hardly leave the house these days, as you can see. I’m busy with the kids. I don’t have time to go gallivanting around. You’re the free bird—took a vacation and zoomed off to the ends of the earth.
The conversation about moving their mother faded into the background, which was probably for the best—why stir up something bound to fail? At Emily’s, Sarah felt a sense of relief:
— You won’t believe how good it feels to be here. Yes, I have a great job, a loving and caring husband, but I miss simple, heartfelt conversations. Honestly, I only see David late at night when it’s time to sleep, or on weekends, and even then he finds work to do. It’s just one big routine you can’t escape.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Ann had already tidied up several hospital wards and approached one near the operating room. That’s when she overheard a strange conversation between two patients:
— Go on, no one will see. Hide it under your jacket and sneak it in.
It was clear the patients were up to something. It was almost frightening to imagine what they might be trying to smuggle into the hospital. Without hesitation, a signal went off in Elizabeth Ann’s mind: “Follow them, or there’ll be trouble.” She quickly took her bucket to the storage room and quietly trailed the patient who left the ward. Without much effort, he slipped out to a small shop just beyond the hospital fence. He was gone for a few minutes, then returned carrying a black bag with the neck of a bottle sticking out—impossible to miss. Elizabeth Ann didn’t stop him right away. She waited until he returned to the ward.
A little later, she casually walked in to mop the floor. Sure enough, the two patients were emptying the bottle. No point in denying it—the truth was out. Taking the glass bottle from them, she poured its contents down the sink and said:
— I’ll let it slide this time, but if I catch you again, I’ll report you to the head doctor.
To her surprise, one of the patients had the audacity to snap back:
— What’s that about? Who do you think you are, trying to lecture us? You’re just an orderly—clean the floor and keep quiet.
With that, he grabbed a rag from the bedside table and tossed it at her feet. Her eyes flashing like headlights, Elizabeth Ann stepped closer and said just three words:
— We’ll meet again.
The patient visibly trembled but pretended nothing was wrong. Naturally, he and his buddy scurried out of the ward and didn’t return until she’d finished her work. With her head held high, Elizabeth Ann left, casting another sharp glance at the two troublemakers and adding:
— Get back in there, and don’t even think about drinking again.
They bolted back into the ward, even closing the door behind them. Looking their way, Elizabeth Ann chuckled softly to herself:
— Would you believe it? Just two days ago, he could barely get out of bed.
As it turned out, one of the patients had been admitted in a severe hangover state, barely able to speak, let alone walk. The doctors had worked hard to stabilize him. And now, here he was, back to his old habits as if he hadn’t had enough trouble already. Elizabeth Ann didn’t report them to the head doctor but kept a close eye on the pair. They still had two weeks of treatment ahead, and she didn’t need extra trouble in the ward. To prevent further trips to the shop for liquor, she tipped off a friendly nurse on duty. The nurse, who respected her, promised to keep an eye out and, importantly, not tell the department head. The issue seemed resolved, but the patient’s attitude lingered in her mind. It was as if he thought he was untouchable, the most important person around. On the other hand, Elizabeth Ann knew better than to give in to provocation. Clearly, the patient wasn’t himself—likely still reeling from his drinking spree, spouting nonsense. Holding her head in her hands, she said to herself:
— Don’t worry, Liz, you’ll see plenty more patients like him.
Indeed, if she took every one of them to heart, her nerves wouldn’t hold up. This was the strength of her character and the wisdom of her reasoning. What her daughter suggested just didn’t fit. You could say Elizabeth Ann’s heart was tied to her work. She lived for her patients, devoted to their recovery.
When she returned from her shift, she pulled herself together so Sarah wouldn’t suspect anything. But Sarah already knew.
— What is it, Mom? Tough patients again, as usual?
Nodding, Elizabeth Ann replied:
— If you already know, no need to ask. By the way, did you water the flowers at the summer house like I asked?
Pointing to her slightly dirty jacket, Sarah said:
— Take a look—I got it all messed up, no way I’m washing this out now. Oh, and Emily says hi. She’s expecting you to visit; you promised her something, I think.
A week passed. During that time, Sarah and her mother went back to the summer house, visited Emily, and generally had a pleasant time. Sarah didn’t bring up the sore subject of moving again. It seemed all the dots had been connected after her talk with her younger sister, who made it clear their mother didn’t need a change of scenery. That day, Elizabeth Ann was getting ready for work with a noticeably somber mood. Sarah noticed and couldn’t help but ask:
— What’s wrong? Are you okay?
Shrugging, her mother replied:
— I guess so, but something feels off inside, like my soul’s not in it. Maybe it’s just fatigue, or maybe I’m getting used to feeling nothing.
This called for a proper conversation, but Elizabeth Ann was in such a rush she didn’t linger for a moment.
At the hospital, a surprise awaited her: one of the patients—the one who’d snapped at her and thrown the rag—had mysteriously disappeared. The nurses were frantic, searching for him, but to no avail. Perhaps it was meant to happen—who knows? For a moment, Elizabeth Ann felt oddly calm about his absence. It scared her that her heart wasn’t stirred, her soul wasn’t grieving. There was no spark to ignite her emotions. Remembering her role, she grabbed her cleaning supplies and went about her rounds. Besides cleaning, she helped care for patients and assisted the nurses—there was no time to dwell. But that patient’s disappearance certainly surprised her; he’d left the hospital without completing his treatment.
Another shift passed in a blur, as if nothing had happened. Without much thought, Sarah invited her mother to the market to buy meat for meatballs and dumplings:
— Come on, Mom, enough staying cooped up. You need some fresh air.
It was hard to argue with that.
— You’re right, dear. We should get out among people more often.
Sarah didn’t quite understand why she said that. But as they stepped outside, her mother, for some reason, headed through the garage area, bypassing the kindergarten. Logically, the route from their apartment to the market was straightforward. Following her, Sarah tried to figure out what was going on. Suddenly, her mother stopped and pointed ahead, saying:
— Look, dear, there’s someone lying on the ground. We need to help—maybe he’s sick.
They quickly reached the spot where a man in dirty clothes lay motionless. Looking closely, Elizabeth Ann gasped, covering her mouth:
— My God, it’s him—the patient from ward five. Is he gone?
But after checking his pulse, she exclaimed with relief:
— Call an ambulance, and hurry—they might not make it in time. If they ask, give them my name; they know me well in that department.
Sarah did as told, while the man began to come to. Seeing Elizabeth Ann’s face, he mumbled with a tremble in his voice:
— Even here, you won’t leave me alone?
Smiling, she replied:
— I told you we’d meet again.
Sarah didn’t understand their exchange but held off on questions. Soon, the ambulance arrived and took the man back to the hospital—right to the same ward he’d fled. After their trip to the market, they took a shorter route home. Sarah stayed quiet, sensing that questions or comments were out of place. She waited for her mother to speak and explain what had happened. But Elizabeth Ann wasn’t in a hurry to open up until they reached their building and she sat on a bench. Catching her breath and glancing into the bag, she said:
— Looks like we got enough meat; we bought extra just in case.
But Sarah’s expression showed she was waiting for different words. So Elizabeth Ann continued:
— You kept saying I should retire, rest, and all that, but you didn’t consider how important it is to be there for others.
Sarah sat down too, sensing the conversation was taking a serious turn.
— You saw it yourself—I saved someone today, even a complete stranger. My heart feels it, understands it. You said my patients could manage without me. So, what’s your opinion now?
Sarah could barely hold back tears.
— I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t realize how much this work means to you. I thought retirement was about resting, not saving people.
Elizabeth Ann hugged her daughter tightly and said:
— You know your mom, dear. I can’t walk past someone in need—I have to help. That’s just who I am. Thank God I passed that trait on to my daughters.
Sarah never forgot her mother’s words: chasing money doesn’t always bring happiness. Sometimes, you need to pause and look back to understand what you’ve been living for and planning all this time. It’s possible that only after such a reflection does a person gain wisdom and begin to value each day lived.
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