I was sitting in the kitchen when my daughter burst out, Tell Kyle to get here right now! All three little ones are running fevers and whining. I cant get them to the clinic by myself. He has to drive over and help. Valerie, her mother, was already on the brink, and Mary could barely stand watching the panic over the grandchildren.
Ill take care of it, love. Dont worry, Valerie tried to sound calm, hoping not to add to her daughters nerves. She hit the redial button and waited. Her fingers fumbled through the contacts, searching for her sons number. Three sick kids, Mary alone, husband at workthis was a crisis.
Kyle would help; she was sure of it. One ring. Another. Finally, Kyle answered.
Hey, Mom, he said quickly.
Kyle, dear, weve got a problem, Valerie began, choosing her words carefully. Mary called. All three kids are ill and need to see a doctor right away. Her husband cant get time off. Could you drive over and take the little ones? I dont think itll take long.
Silence settled over the line. In the background a faint hum could be heard.
Kyle, Im sorry, but todays my sisters birthday. We booked a restaurant two weeks ago. Getting over the whole city to Marys place now would ruin the plans, and we wont make the reservation. So I cant, he sighed.
Valeries grip on the phone tightened; her palm was slick with sweat. Kyle, cant you hear? The children are sick! Theyre your nieces! Mary cant manage three cranky toddlers on her own. They need a doctor now!
I get it, Mom, Kyle replied evenly, his tone flat. But we have plans. We cant cancel everything. Call a taxi, or have your husband help. Whats the problem?
Valerie sank into a chair, her legs trembling. Dads at work! Im alone with three ill kidsI cant handle this physically! Dont you understand the basics?
Im sorry, I cant, Kyle said sharply this time. Its not my problem. The kids are Marys responsibility. Shell have to sort it out herself.
Valeries anger flared. How is that not your problem? Theyre family! Your sister! You cant just refuse to help your own blood once!
I said I cant. Were about to head out, sorry, Kyle cut off. The phone clicked as the call ended. Short beeps rang in her ears as she stared at the screen, stunned.
Heat rose in her chest. She redialed her daughterinlaw, hoping Anne might coax Kyle into action.
Hello, Valerie? Anne answered almost immediately.
Anne, love, why arent you asking Kyle to help? Those are his nieces! Marys in a terrible spot alone! Valerie pleaded, trying to keep her voice steady.
Anne let out a sigh, sounding almost indifferent. Valerie, the kids parents are supposed to look after them. Theres a taxi, an ambulance if needed. Marys an adult; shell manage.
Valerie felt the words cut deeper than her sons refusal. Anne, do you realize how hard it is to get three sick toddlers into a taxi? Theyre tiny! Mary cant do it by herself!
Anne replied coolly, Those are her children, Valerie. Weve already planned our evening. We dont want to ruin it over someone elses issues.
A surge of fury rose in Valerie. Then maybe you should keep your future kids out of our business! she shouted, slamming the receiver.
The next few days passed in a fog. Valerie didnt call Kyle again, and he kept silent. She tried not to dwell on the argument, but the wound festered, gnawing at her nightly thoughts. How could her son act so cold? Where had she gone wrong as a mother?
Her husband tried to talk, but she brushed him off, determined to sort it out herself. By the fourth evening her patience snapped. She decided she had to see Kyle facetoface, to look him in the eyes and demand an answer.
When she arrived at his flat, his wife Anne opened the door, surprised but stepping aside quietly. Valerie walked in without removing her coat.
Wheres Kyle? she asked sharply.
Hes in the living room, Anne replied, gesturing.
Valerie pushed open the door. Kyle looked up, and for a heartbeat something unspoken flickered in his eyes before his expression hardened.
Mom? Whats going on? he asked, raising an eyebrow.
How could you turn your own sisters children away? Valerie shouted, the words spilling out with all the pentup rage of four days. I didnt raise you to be selfish and cold!
Kyle rose slowly, his face still composed, almost indifferent. Mom, you could have called a taxi yourself. I could have gone over, but I cant drop everything at the first call.
He paused, meeting her stare directly. Did you forget how Mary stopped talking to us after we bought our flat? Shes been distant, always complaining about us. Shes been that way for six months, and now she needs help?
Valerie stumbled, her throat dry. She lives in a rented flat with three kids. You have a twobedroom house with Anneno kids. Of course, shes upset. I didnt know she was?
Kyles eyes narrowed. We earned that house on our own. No one helped us. Mary should sort her own problems. She cant drag our family into it through you.
Valerie stepped closer, fists clenched. Youre talking about your sister! Shes family! This is my son, my blood!
Its not my family, Mom, Kyle snapped back. My family is Anne. Mary should have thought ahead. She chose to have three kids on her own; shes on her own now.
Youre selfish! Valerie roared. You only think of yourself! Your sister can barely cope, and you wont even lend a hand!
Kyle smirked. Why should I help someone whos ignored me for half a year? We stopped talking to Mary. How could I not see that?
He took a breath, his voice softer. Honestly, what am I saying? You only ever worry about Mary. Its always been that way. Im just a blank space in your life.
Heartless! Valerie shouted, turning away. Youve lost the way you were raisedto help each other!
She stormed out, her breath ragged, pausing on the stairwell. The hallway felt like a furnace. The cold night air hit her face, but it didnt ease the sting.
She walked to the bus stop, every step echoing the question haunting her: where had she gone wrong? How had she raised someone so callous? Was she wrong to demand that family stick together, or was Kyle right to protect his own life?
Pedestrians brushed past her, oblivious. Perhaps Kyle had a point. Perhaps shed pushed too hard, ignoring his own burdens. The doubt settled like a knot in her chest, small but sharp, growing with each step.
She boarded the bus, pressed her forehead to the window, watching houses and cars drift by. Life went on outside, but something inside her had cracked forever. She didnt know if she could ever mend it, if she could talk to Kyle like before, or if she could forgive his refusal, or if he could understand her blindness.
The bus rattled over potholes. She closed her eyes, hoping tomorrow would bring clearer words, maybe a chance for the family to become a family again. Or perhaps it was already too late.