Emily at thirty-five believes she will never experience a woman’s happiness, but fate has other ideas. They come together when both are nearly forty. William has already been a widower for three years by then. Emily has never married, yet she has a son. As the folk saying goes, she bore him for herself. In her youth, she has a relationship with a handsome, dark-haired Oliver who promises to marry her and enchants young Emily. She falls for those promises, which prove hollow. It later emerges that the suitor from the town is already married.
Oliver’s lawful wife even visits Emily to plead that the girl not destroy another family. Young and inexperienced, Emily yields. But she chooses to keep the child.
That is how it unfolds. Emily gives birth to James. The son becomes her sole comfort and joy. James grows up well-mannered and studies diligently. After school, he enrolls in the economics university. William drops by Emily’s place several times. He proposes they live together. Yet the woman wavers, though she likes William. Emily feels somewhat ashamed of her son and of finally feeling happy.
One evening, James decides to speak with his mother. He tells her he does not mind: “I, mom, will not be living at home anyway. Uncle William is a steady man. As long as he does not hurt you. My main concern is your happiness.” William’s son does not object either.
Thus they begin living together. They marry and hold a small celebration. Emily works at the village library while William works as an agronomist. They do everything jointly. They manage the household, keep livestock and tend the garden. They love and respect one another, though it is unfortunate that God has not blessed them with children of their own.
Both sons marry and they welcome grandchildren. Each holiday they prepare gifts for the children and grandchildren: fresh eggs, milk, cream, pork and chicken from home. During holidays, many guests assemble in their house. Then William and Emily sit at the table, pleased. They rejoice in having people with whom to celebrate.
Only in the evenings, as the elderly couple retires, each quietly thinks: to depart this world first… And never to feel lonely.
Years do their work. And one day misfortune creeps in… In the morning, Emily feels ill just as she starts preparing soup in the kitchen. The elderly woman collapses. William, aided by neighbors, summons an ambulance. The doctors say Emily has suffered a stroke. All her functions remain except one. Emily can no longer walk.
James and his wife visit the mother. He provides some pounds for the medicines and departs.
When the hospital discharges his wife, William hires a car and, with a neighbor’s help, carries her into the house.
“Everything will be alright,” he reassures his wife, “just stay alive. Even if you only sit and chat with me. Just live. I can handle everything. Just do not leave me, my dove!”
William cares for his wife well. After a month she moves to a wheelchair. She assists him in the kitchen. They continue doing things together. They peel potatoes and carrots, sort beans. They even bake bread. In the evenings, Emily and William talk about how they will manage ahead. Winter approaches. And William lacks the strength to chop wood.
Perhaps the children could take us in for the winter, and come spring and summer we could cope on our own…
On the weekend, James and his wife arrive. The daughter-in-law Sophie, after inspecting the room, concludes:
You will have to be separated, you two lovebirds. We will fetch mother next week. I will prepare the room. Then we will come.
But what about me? William whispers awkwardly. We have never parted. Children, how can this be.
Well, that was before when you had the strength for the farm work and could look after yourselves, but now it is different. Let your son take you to his home as well. Nobody will take you both together.
James and his wife head home. William and Emily sigh heavily and ponder what to do next. Each, as they fall asleep, wishes not to wake up, to avoid seeing any of this.
The next weekend both sons arrive. They busy themselves with gathering belongings. William sits beside Emily’s bed. He gazes at her, recalling their younger days. And he weeps… He presses close to his ailing wife. And whispers:
“Forgive me, Emily, that things have turned out this way for us… We must have failed somewhere in bringing up the children. They divide us like unwanted kittens. Forgive me. I love you.”
Emily wants to caress the man’s cheek with her hand, but she lacks the strength now… William leaves, drying his tears with his sleeve. And once seated in the car, he stops wiping them…
Then the son, along with his wife and a neighbor, set to moving Emily. They wrap her in a blanket and start carrying her out of the house in it… feet first. The sick woman reflects that this seems very symbolic… Emily does not struggle; she passes away when William leaves. And the ailing woman only hopes not to last until evening.
A week goes by. On a pleasant autumn day, their dream comes true. Emily and William reunite in the other world.Emily at thirty-five believes she will never experience a woman’s happiness, but fate has other ideas. They come together when both are nearly forty. William has already been a widower for three years by then. Emily has never married, yet she has a son. As the folk saying goes, she bore him for herself. In her youth, she has a relationship with a handsome, dark-haired Oliver who promises to marry her and enchants young Emily. She falls for those promises, which prove hollow. It later emerges that the suitor from the town is already married.
Oliver’s lawful wife even visits Emily to plead that the girl not destroy another family. Young and inexperienced, Emily yields. But she chooses to keep the child.
That is how it unfolds. Emily gives birth to James. The son becomes her sole comfort and joy. James grows up well-mannered and studies diligently. After school, he enrolls in the economics university. William drops by Emily’s place several times. He proposes they live together. Yet the woman wavers, though she likes William. Emily feels somewhat ashamed of her son and of finally feeling happy.
One evening, James decides to speak with his mother. He tells her he does not mind: “I, mom, will not be living at home anyway. Uncle William is a steady man. As long as he does not hurt you. My main concern is your happiness.” William’s son does not object either.
Thus they begin living together. They marry and hold a small celebration. Emily works at the village library while William works as an agronomist. They do everything jointly. They manage the household, keep livestock and tend the garden. They love and respect one another, though it is unfortunate that God has not blessed them with children of their own.
Both sons marry and they welcome grandchildren. Each holiday they prepare gifts for the children and grandchildren: fresh eggs, milk, cream, pork and chicken from home. During holidays, many guests assemble in their house. Then William and Emily sit at the table, pleased. They rejoice in having people with whom to celebrate.
Only in the evenings, as the elderly couple retires, each quietly thinks: to depart this world first… And never to feel lonely.
Years do their work. And one day misfortune creeps in… In the morning, Emily feels ill just as she starts preparing soup in the kitchen. The elderly woman collapses. William, aided by neighbors, summons an ambulance. The doctors say Emily has suffered a stroke. All her functions remain except one. Emily can no longer walk.
James and his wife visit the mother. He provides some pounds for the medicines and departs.
When the hospital discharges his wife, William hires a car and, with a neighbor’s help, carries her into the house.
“Everything will be alright,” he reassures his wife, “just stay alive. Even if you only sit and chat with me. Just live. I can handle everything. Just do not leave me, my dove!”
William cares for his wife well. After a month she moves to a wheelchair. She assists him in the kitchen. They continue doing things together. They peel potatoes and carrots, sort beans. They even bake bread. In the evenings, Emily and William talk about how they will manage ahead. Winter approaches. And William lacks the strength to chop wood.
Perhaps the children could take us in for the winter, and come spring and summer we could cope on our own…
On the weekend, James and his wife arrive. The daughter-in-law Sophie, after inspecting the room, concludes:
You will have to be separated, you two lovebirds. We will fetch mother next week. I will prepare the room. Then we will come.
But what about me? William whispers awkwardly. We have never parted. Children, how can this be.
Well, that was before when you had the strength for the farm work and could look after yourselves, but now it is different. Let your son take you to his home as well. Nobody will take you both together.
James and his wife head home. William and Emily sigh heavily and ponder what to do next. Each, as they fall asleep, wishes not to wake up, to avoid seeing any of this.
The next weekend both sons arrive. They busy themselves with gathering belongings. William sits beside Emily’s bed. He gazes at her, recalling their younger days. And he weeps… He presses close to his ailing wife. And whispers:
“Forgive me, Emily, that things have turned out this way for us… We must have failed somewhere in bringing up the children. They divide us like unwanted kittens. Forgive me. I love you.”
Emily wants to caress the man’s cheek with her hand, but she lacks the strength now… William leaves, drying his tears with his sleeve. And once seated in the car, he stops wiping them…
Then the son, along with his wife and a neighbor, set to moving Emily. They wrap her in a blanket and start carrying her out of the house in it… feet first. The sick woman reflects that this seems very symbolic… Emily does not struggle; she passes away when William leaves. And the ailing woman only hopes not to last until evening.
A week goes by. On a pleasant autumn day, their dream comes true. Emily and William reunite in the other world.
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