To help her adult son with money, the woman sold her house and moved in with him. One day when she returned from shopping, she saw the suitcase at the front door and froze in shock
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Helen walked down the street, her feet barely moving. Recently, the elderly woman had received some money, so went to the nearest supermarket to buy potatoes, pasta, milk, flour, and sugar.
Although the bag had not been a burden for Helen before, it was heavy now. In her youth, working in the cowshed, she used to pull hay with a pitchfork and carry huge boxes, and buckets filled with milk or water.
But now she was over 60 years old, and age had taken its toll. Her back often ached, and her arms had weakened. So she struggled to drag the bags from the supermarket, taking slow breaks to catch her breath.
A few passersby tried to help her, including two teenage boys with school bags, a middle-aged woman, and a tall young guy. Helen politely declined their assistance with a smile. She wasn't in a rush, and these kind people seemed busy with their own affairs. So why bother them?
Helen walked slowly, not only because of the heavy bag, but also because she didn't want to go home. The place she was returning to could no longer be called her home; it was just a refuge.
She used to have a spacious, bright, and cozy house with a large kitchen. There was a vegetable garden and a carved gazebo, which her father had built. Her favorite friends and neighbors were nearby.
Helen lived well there, despite the hard work. Most of her life was spent working in the farm's cowshed, taking care of the animals. She tried her best to provide everything her son needed. She would leave before dawn and return after sunset. Her back, arms, and legs had been aching back then, but she remembered those times with nostalgia. She felt much happier than she did now.
Suddenly, November's cold rain started to fall. It came unexpected, drizzling down as if someone had opened a faucet of ice water upstairs. Helen hurried on. The rain continued to intensify, accompanied by strong winds. And it was clear to Helen that she needed to find shelter and wait it out.
The elderly woman hurried to the porch of the nearest store, seeking shelter from the rain.
Some people had already gathered there, waiting for the rain to stop. Cheerful children saw the sudden downpour as another adventure, while frowning adults were frustrated by the delay it caused.
Helen's attention was suddenly drawn to a young man standing with his back against the wall. He had bright turquoise eyes, well-defined cheekbones, and wheat-colored bangs that did not fall onto his forehead. He was a handsome young man, likely attracting the attention of many girls.
He reminded Helen so much of Mike, a guy she had known for just two days in her life, almost four decades ago. Yet, she vividly remembered every feature of his face, his scent, and the words he used to say to her.
Mike, if he were still alive, would have long forgotten their casual acquaintance. He had many other admirers, and he wasn't aware of the role he played in Helen's life.
She was born into a family of a tractor driver and a milkmaid. At just two years old, she became the eldest child, with another daughter named Angela following. Despite their modest lifestyle, the family lived decently, without starvation or tattered clothes. Helen's parents worked hard, so she and Angela learned early on to take care of the household.
Helen reflected on modern children, who, in her opinion, were overprotected by their parents. She and her sister were already washing floors and cooking meals at the age of 6 or 7. They took care of the yard and livestock, completed their homework and laundry without reminders. Despite their responsibilities, the girls still had plenty of spare time. After finishing their tasks and homework, they would happily join their friends outside. All their peers lived similarly, balancing their time between home, school, and playing with friends. Helen and Angela were always supportive of each other, maintaining a strong bond.