Chapter 11 Back

1st April 1964

I ran through the arrivals hugging Lisa. I had just come back off my honeymoon with Johnny, we had gone to England. It was so lovely, we saw the Queen's palace, had cream teas and saw so many marvellous things lucky they speak the same language me and Johnny are terrible at speaking other languages which is what we recently discovered as we had to make a quick stop at France. I had missed Lisa so much she'd been going through a hard time, 4 months pregnant in an early relationship with Joseph and struggling to keep her house. It took us an hour to get home. I unpacked and cooked dinner for Mum, Lisa and Johnny. Mum had finally started to get her life back after Dad's death.

13th April 1964

Today after college I went to see Mum it's her 41st birthday it would be Dad's next week he would've been 45. I gave her a lipstick and a book token. She seems so lonely. I got a promotion yesterday I am officially a children's jazz and salsa teacher now. We are eating at Kellermans.
"Baby, I'm selling the house and moving to Italy." Mum said.
"What? Mum you can't leave!" I exclaimed.
"I bloody well can. It's a fresh start honey." Mum answered standing up.
"Mum what are you doing?" Lisa asked frowning.
"My cabs outside to take me to the airport see you girls." Mum kissed us and left. I was stunned how could she just leave? I got up and ran after her but she had already gone.

2nd May 1964.

I was studying for college when Lisa ran in.
"Baby! I'm having a girl!" Lisa screamed excitedly.
"Wow Lisa that's great!" I grinned. I had just been about to open the letter from Mum I haven't heard from her since she'd left. It said-

Dear Baby.
I hope you understand why I had to leave. Italy is great, come visit sometime, I hope you, Johnny and Lisa are doing well. Make sure to keep your Dad's grave tidy. Miss you lots. Be sure to tell me when Lisa has her baby. Can't wait to see you. Lots of love Mum.

How dare she! She just says keep Dads grave tidy? I already do! Come visit sometime? Why don't she? I have a life of mine own to live for god's sake! Can't wait to see you? How dare she presume! She just leaves with a few words and then writes me a letter with 2 to three lines and she expects me to drop what I'm doing and leave? Never. I have a family now. A husband, a sister and a niece on the way!
"What does it say?" Lisa asks curiously.
"Read it." I replied monotone. I got up and just laid in bed with Johnny he'd had the flu so he'd been in bed. I fell asleep slowly.