Grandma

The boy was going to turn ten. He didn't look forward to the day, because mother was often away at work. And grandma begun to scare him. Plus they never ever celebrated his birthday. Ever. And if they did it wouldn't really matter. They can't afford much of anything, the things they did own were found in boxes, or given to them by strangers. Grandma made it worse, constantly complaining of the filth, the lack of money, lack of this or that. Grandma was rich, but she squandered it on useless junk. The boy did over hear his mother and grandmother talking about grandpa's fortune. The boy never knew grandfather might have been rich! He knew it would help everyone in the long run. The only problem is that no one knew where it was. But mother and grandma did know someone who might. When grandpa was younger and before he married grandma he went out with another woman. Everyone had forgotten her name. All we know is she had passed recently. But she had a son, who would be about mom's age now. Grandma really didn't like the idea that grandfather had another lady in his life. She often screams and rants about it. Mother just looking worn and tired. Her pale hair tied up in a tight knot. Would just stare at her mother. Mother was a tall, lean woman. Her cheeks were hallow, and her eyes were sunken in. Life was not kind to her. It took many things from her. Life was greedy. Mother and grandma often talked about this or that. They never let the boy join in on their conversation. It annoyed the boy very much. Saturday rolled around and the boy woke early, he wanted to see mother before she headed out to work. Mother was in the kitchen, reheating some broth. She was humming a merry toon. The boy rarely heard mother hum, she only did so when she was happy. Why was mother so happy? The boy tipped toed into the room, careful not to disturb her. After a few minutes mother turned around and gasped loudly. 'Oh! Son! You startled me, don't do that!' she placed a small bowl of broth down where the boy sat. 'Eat' mother commended the boy. It was weird, mother hardly every spook directly at him. She either spook to grandma or no one at all. 'Son i have some news for you'. She sat at their old rickety wooden table. Holding a mug of hot tea. The boy slowly sipped his broth. Awaiting the news mother seemed eager about. She seemed to glow, her eyes weren't dull and lifeless. They had real light and warmth in them. But it wasn't because of the boy. The boy knew his mother isn't happy to see him a whole lot. 'I got engaged!'