MY SIMPLE HEART
By
Braden Stevens
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My Simple Heart
Copyright (c) 2011 by Braden Stevens
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My Simple Heart
Chapter One: Saturday
Mary Jackson stood in her kitchen, little more than a cupboard compared to most folk’s homes, but then she and Ronnie only lived in a modest terraced house at the end of a modest street in Manchester
Busying herself with a pile of ironing, she listened to the local news, coming from a radio set, sat on the window sill. The reporter was detailing a story, of an elderly lady who was mugged in broad day light, while passersby watched on, like frozen statues. Local police were looking for a teenager wearing a black coat and hood, witnessed running away from the scene.
Where had it all gone so wrong she thought, how could the world have slipped in to this dark abyss When she and Ronnie first met, back in their teenage years, respect for your elders, was a unspoken religion, an act like that - unthinkable.
“Discipline”, she muttered. Obeying the wishes of your parents was never questioned in her day, not hard –but rules were there to abide by. Can’t touch anyone today - streets full of feral kids - is it any wonder people don’t feel safe on their own streets.
Mary quietly slipped through to the lounge, where Ronnie was settling down in front of the television, sat in his favorite armchair - like some expectant father awaiting the birth of their first born, he was waiting on the start of a football match, featuring his beloved City.
Mary knew from experience- that football to Ronnie was like religion, it wasn’t something you interfered with; just let it be- until the final whistle she judged. He had followed City since he was a boy, a tradition his own father had skillfully nurtured.
But like so many wives with over forty years of marriage- Mary drew upon a skill, which helped in matters of decision, she would stand in the door way remaining absolutely still, that was until Ronnie couldn’t stand the suspense any longer and ask if there was a problem. “Just checking if you want that Cuppa now or after the game she exclaimed”! I will have it now thanks love” Ronnie replied
As she turned and shuffled towards the kitchen, she heard him call out, “bring a couple of Rennies”- Having a little heartburn are we- Too much time spent down at the Dog and Duck last night, no doubt!
Mary had recently celebrated her sixtieth birthday, which Ronnie and their three children had secretly combined with their Ruby anniversary. It was a wonderful day, with so many friends and family including-.old school mates, who had travelled across the country to attend.
Copies of funniest photos, taken back in there teenage years, were hung around the room. The children and grandchildren screamed at the faces and funny clothes, in the fifty year old black and white photographs. Never ending stories were recited and old friendships rekindled
She stood before the boiling kettle reflecting on a wonderful year. Perhaps they had been blessed she thought; the three children and two grandchildren had all turned out fine.
The blue Ford Fiesta of Helen Thomas, the elder of the three children, pulled up outside Mary’s and Ronnie’s home.
Most Saturday’s, Mary’s two daughter’s alternated their time, in taking Mary out for some shopping and bite to eat, leaving Ronnie to enjoy his football. This was the only quality time they could find keeping up with all the gossip
As Helen made her way down the narrow hall, she heard the familiar roar from a football crowd echoing around the front room- clearly the match had started. “Hello Mum - Dad” –“in here love” Mary replied just making Ronnie a cuppa tea, would you like one? “No thanks, just had one” she rounded the corner armed, with a handful of old Hello magazines to pass on to her mother.
“One day Dad you are going to sink in that seat, the amount of time you spend sitting there.”Ronnie smiled and kissed his daughter on the forehead; as she bent down to greet him
“How’s my little angel” he asked without looking away from the television “always asking after you two, and growing into a little madam” offered Helen, Ronnie hadn’t seen his grand daughter Emily for over two weeks,
Both Ronnie and Mary had been besotted with their two grandchildren, Helens daughter, Emily, recently turned twelve, had just started taking horse riding lessons
Clare (their second daughter) had her own daughter Eva, just turned six. Two very different angels, as Ronnie often called them
The two grandchildren often had sleepovers, which were the most rewarding nights of the week and Ronnie couldn’t help but spoil them both. They often spent most of the evening riding around on the back of Grandpa Ronnie, who on all fours, pretended to be Black Beauty. In the morning Mary would keep them busy in the kitchen baking cakes, that is, until their parents arrived
Although the girls were growing up fast and even though Ronnie had retired Black Beauty, they both still looked forward to a sleep over at Gran and Granddad’s
Mary stood in the mirror trying to arrange her hair, in a fashion, her daughter would approve of. Tutting to herself under her breath for allowing the grey take hold - like the weeds in Ronnie’s allotment down at the end of the street- that’s it!, she mumbled - and promised herself a color down at her local hairdressers the following week
Ok Ronnie “see you later, won’t be long love” assured Mary what sounded like a call of acknowledgement, came from the front room as they closed the front door.
Helen made steady progress though the busy Manchester traffic on the way to the town centre., while Mary mostly sat quietly in deep thought, for most of the journey . She was trying to make sense of the morning, Ronnie had complained of a growing pain in his chest and although the Rennies seem to help, he kept saying it was indigestion and nothing to worry over.
He couldn’t fool her so easily, after forty years of marriage to the same man; you get a sense of things not being quite right. Ronnie may call it indigestion-, but the ashen color of his face said something else
Helen always made a fuss over her mother and today was no exception, she treated Mary to a new pair of shoes and over a light lunch, they talked family, for most of the afternoon.
During the trip home, Helen sensed her mother had been brooding over something - “Mum are we going to talk about what’s troubling you”? She asked
“You have been distant for most of the afternoon” Helen questioned
“I don’t want to worry you love and spoil the afternoon” Mary replied
“Don’t be daft, I cannot go home and leave you like this” Helen urged
“Its Ronnie he’s had this pain all morning and I’m worried” Mary explained
“Ok”- I’m sure It’s nothing to worry about, let me speak to him about it, when we get you home” Helen added
They rode the rest of the way home in silence –like a chess game - the pieces were in play-Helen was planning out a health check for Ronnie - while Mary was busy sorting out a call to Doctor Smith, their GP.
Ronnie was still sat in his chair, when the girls arrived home, He hadn’t moved since the game ended a draw and now he faced questions from two quizative females.
“Pains gone” he declared, rising out of his chair on the way to the bathroom. “Two Rennies and a cuppa have seen it off” Ronnie explained, disappearing around the door.
Helen waited until he came back and delved deeper, questioning when and where this pain was. Satisfied - that it sounded like indigestion, she instructed Mary to phone her if it came back.
“I am still going to ring the doctors first thing Monday and get him booked in for one of those MOT’s”, Mary said impatiently
“I think that’s a
good idea” Helen added as she got back into her car, “I will give you a ring Tuesday Mum after he’s been”
“Ok love take care”
The Ronnie and Mary spent the evening watching their usual programs and in between the breaks, had their customary cups of tea. Although Ronnie had a light meal he didn’t suffer any further bouts of indigestion and retired to bed along with Mary around 10.30pm
My Simple Heart Page 1