This story is set in a small town in the UK and written in UK English.
All characters depicted are over 18 and fictitious.
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PART 4
Very little happened during the following week.
I went to college every day and life just sort of carried on as if everything were normal.
I think that Mom was wary of appearing in any way 'different' when Dad was around and so she kept her distance most of the time. I did continue to give her longer than normal hugs, pressing my body against hers, and although she didn't push me away, she didn't respond much either.
I had a late start to classes on Friday, so when I came down to breakfast a bit later than normal, only my mom was in the kitchen sitting drinking a cup of tea.
"Hi," she said, in her normal manner, "there is toast and tea I've just made over there if you want some, but I can make you something else if you want?"
"Ummm, thanks, I'll just have a slice of toast and the tea," I said, putting a couple of slices onto a plate and pouring a mug of tea. "Where's Dad?"
"Oh, he's already gone to work, about an hour ago, some sort of early meeting," he said.
"Right," I replied, "so as it's just us, can I talk to you?"
She looked at me a bit warily, "About what?"
"Well...about...us and things," I said, a bit embarrassed and not sure how to broach the subject.
"I'm not sure we should talk about it," she said quickly, "it's probably best left as it is."
"Yes but..."
"No Pete, I have other things on my mind, and it's too...," she hesitated, taking a sip of her tea, "...complicated."
I wondered now if she regretted the things we did having thought more about it, or was worried that somehow Dad might find out, but she seemed adamant that we weren't going to discuss it. It was very confusing.
"What else is on your mind then?" I asked, sitting down at the table with her.
"I was going to talk to you anyway about something else," she said, "it's about your Aunt Evelyn."
"Your sister, yes, wow, we haven't seen her for years, doesn't she live alone in some wild and desolate place?"
"Yes," she sighed, "she lives in a small cottage on Dartmoor where she can get 'inspiration' for her painting."
"Ah, I remember now, she's a bit younger than you and some sort of 'artist' isn't she?"
"Yes, that's right, lots of wildlife and botanical stuff. She seems to make a living from it though."
"So, what's the problem?" I asked.
"The problem is that she had a fall while out on the moor, breaking one wrist and injuring some of the muscles and tendons in her leg on the same side. I won't bore you with all the details, so to cut a long story short, they won't let her out of hospital unless there is someone to look after her for a couple of weeks while she recovers enough to live alone again."
"Ok, and does that mean you are going down to stay with her?"
"No, your dad doesn't want me to go, I think he is afraid he will have to look after himself for a change," she said, wearily.
"Well, what's going to happen?"
"I explained to him that she doesn't have anyone else, so eventually, with a lot of persuasion, he has agreed she can come and stay here. A physiotherapist will come in each day and help her with exercises and stuff."
"Hmmm, ok," I said, wondering how this was all going to work.
"The thing is," Mom continued, "she will have to have your room where there is some space, and you will have to move into the small box room."
"Ohh, really?"
"Yes, sorry, but there is nowhere downstairs suitable, and it will only be for a short while...will that be ok with you?"
I knew it was a rhetorical question as I wasn't really being given a choice, and it wasn't as if I was going to be sleeping on the sofa or something, as there was a single bed in there.
"Yes, I guess so," I answered, slowly, "when is she arriving?"
"Hopefully, later tomorrow if transport can be arranged. She is sorting that out herself. She likes to be independent, so I think staying here and relying on us for some help won't go down too well with her."
"I guess it's just one of those things," I said, "I'm sure it'll be ok."
"Thank you, I am impressed with the way you have accepted it, but I doubt your dad will be as flexible."
I laughed and that brought a smile to her face.
"And that other thing you wanted to talk about, just leave it until she has been and gone, she mustn't even get a hint...ok?"
"Yes, I understand," I said, a bit disappointed.
Having quickly munched my way through the toast, I got up from the table, moved round behind her and began to gently massage her shoulders.
She sat there for a moment and let me dig my fingers into her tight muscles, and then smooth my hands across her shoulders and neck. I'm sure I heard a very quiet sigh escape her lips.
"Pete, you will be late for college, so you had better get going," she said, firmly, and got up from her chair taking the breakfast things to the sink.