she prepared a small lunch and sat down to eat as she had nothing to do.
her husband and sons were at work.
she flicked through a cook book for no reason.
she knew the recipes like she knew her own face.
that thought made her laugh...but seriously she needed an extra hobby,her grandkids weren't that small so soon she'd need a new passtime.
with the thought of all that free time she sighed,little did she know someone else needed her more than ever....desperately.
that very evening a very weary and distressed simon appeared at her door.
"sasha....mum....please can you drive with me?"
she sensed a desperation and didn't deny his request.
"ofcourse simon....give me 2 minutes to get my stuff "
he stood like a statue made of lead not moving or responding.
she rushed in put on her abaya.
tied her scarf .
gathered her phone and purse and joined him.
he nodded and walked to the car.
she looked at his condition and said
"simon son...let me drive...you look tired"
he shrugged and placed the keys in sasha's hand.
she got in starting the car and couldn't help but ask.
"is everything ok with you and amy?"
he nodded looking very sad.
she reversed out looking over her shoulder and didn't miss the escaping tear from Simon's eyes.
she became very concerned but didn't press him.
he was practically an orphan.
she had long known his plight through her first beloved son in law Graham.
in the silence of the car ride she remembered.
Graham the amazing guy he was to her daughter.
arrived at her door with flowers and a note book.
he came in as sasha moved aside.
he handed her the flowers and sat down.
she sensed something wrong.
he looked at her and blurted before he lost the nerve
"I'm dying sasha....its a matter of months...
I didn't see the signs....l...."
he broke off not able to control his tears.
sasha's stomach turned and a searing ache entered her heart.
she had loved her son in law just like salim and Saleh.
it's hard to hear,
it was so sudden after 9 years she relied on him took it for granted that he was there.
she thought of amy who was pregnant currently and tried to think rationally.
"Graham my son...have you told amy?"
he looked at her feeling sad he may never see her after the end of this year,she was the best mother in law and she had taught her daughter to be the most delightful person.
"I only told my family.....I only found out 5 days ago so it's a complete shock....I want to prepare for her and the baby's future make sure she has everything "
I smiled sadly....even in his state he thought of my daughter.
I was speechless .
I walked over to him sat next to him and squeezed him in a tight hug with all my emotions running through that embrace.
I cried alot that day.
but many days followed and that note book was full.
we spent many lazy lunches talking but one stood out, even til now.
"I have something to say sasha and please hear me out before you begin to think wrong....you know simon and i have thought long and hard.....it kills me to say this but at the same time I'm at peace...what I'm babbling on about is...i want amy to marry Simon.....she will need someone to help her and I know he has loved her since forever.....he is a good man but he also needs help I believe amy could be that someone sasha....you know I'd never see amy hurt"
we talked long that afternoon and I began to see his reasoning.
when I spoke to her dad he actually agreed.
we all knew simon had but days and none of us dared go against his final request.
do not under any circumstances tell amy.
and I thought now how right Graham was.
I sat back wondering what simon had in store.
we parked at a high point.
I searched for Simon's hand holding it firmly.
"listen please don't hold back ....I'm here for you as a mother....as a friend "
he began to shake and he looked at me very sullen.
"sasha....mum....im... im....I'm not well....I got cancer "
dead silence ensued.
I slumped in my seat....then I let go of his hand gently.
I opened the car door and wretched all my food emptying.
I got out and sat on the bonnet of his car as tears cascaded onto the floor.
I felt a pat on my back and my very tall son in law held me.
resting his chin on my head.
I hugged him back unable to say anything of use.