A Short Story

        A widow had to work hard to bring up her son.  This was after her husband left her when their little son had turned two. Being a widow, having no permanent job and supporting her son, she is not well-off. Mary and her son, Max lived in a small rental house nearby the country side.

        The silence of the night was broken by the sound of typing keyboard. It was already twelve, but Mary was still trying to type as many documents as she can. It was one of her extra job which she hoped to find some extra money. There were so many times that Max had persuaded her to quit that extra job, because he was worried about her health condition. Nevertheless, she just brushed aside.

         As she tirelessly typed those countless documents, Max took a peek at her as he was lying on bed. She looked haggard recently and even her eye bags were getting darker. Max couldn’t stand to look at her any longer. He shut his eyes and silently cried through the night.

      Mary didn’t want Max to have the same life as she did. She wanted him to concentrate on his studies and get good results. As time flew by, Max finally graduated his high school with honor and received scholarship from a university in USA. Mary was really happy yet sad and went round telling her neighbors. She couldn’t wait till the day he would be successful and the day she will move to live with her beloved son in the crowded modern country. But on the other hand, Max was really happy to live far away from his mom who he thought an old unfashionable ugly woman.

      Time passed by, Max had his own family; he married to a lovely girl and had two adorable daughters. He would never tell them anything about his single mother. Six years away from home, yet he had never visit his mother. The only thing he did was sending a plenty of money for his mother each month. He thought that it was enough to pay back her for raised him up.

     One day, Max’s wife opened the main door and there was an old ugly woman. Max was in shock when he recognized that it was his mother.

         “My little son, my son, I miss you so much.” Mary cried out.

         “Who is your son, granny? I don’t know you!” Max busted out.

         “What are you talking about? I am your mother, Max. I miss you” she said.
        “Go away. I said I don’t know you. Otherwise, I am going to report to the police!” Max screamed.

       “Oh, I am sorry, I got the wrong person. Wish you and your family healthy.” she said in a deep voice. She walked away in tears. Max was too crying pain inside.

        Two years later, Max went back to his country side. He went back to the small rental house where he spent a quarter of his life. He knocked on the rusty metallic door and hoped to find his mother running out and hug him. As he was knocking, a neighbor came and asked him “Are you Mary’s son? Where have you been for the last seven years? Your mom passed away one year ago. I am sorry to say that but she left you this letter.” My finger could hardly open the letter; they were frozen after I heard that news. The letter was stained with his mother’s tears. Max couldn’t stand it and his tears started dropping down.

        “My dear little son, I know that one day you will receive this letter. I know that it is too late for me and you to meet again. But son, don’t be sad. Just read what I am going to write and you’ll know that I am always with you. The money that you sent to me, I didn’t use anything because I know that it is going to be useful for you, not me. Remember the time I ran for jobs, I save every single cent to send you to school and provide you everything. With this money, you will have to use it wisely, okay! And there’s another thing that I never did tell that you injured your right eye when you were three. Doctors were hopeless and there were no other ways to save it. So I gave my eye to you. My wish came true, I will always be with you, I can see what you are seeing, I can feel what you are feeling, and I will cry and laugh with you, my dear. Lastly, I wish you and your family happy. And I do really miss you my little son. Good bye. Just remember that I will always be with you no matter what.”

      “I will always be with you no matter what” Max regretted for neglected his mom. He finally realized what Mary did for him and all the love she gave to him. “Mom, I was wrong, please come back with me, I deserved to die, not you. OH… what did I do? Mommy…!” Max screamed and shouted and felt more regret than ever. He collapsed on the floor and tears ran down his eyes. Memories flashback in his eyes and he would never forgive himself for what he had done.