Carol my Mother-in-law, shook the fresh bed sheet loose, freeing it from the folded state that only moments before was stored away in the linen storage box on top of my wardrobe.
Upon doing so a purple coloured item came free landing on the floor at her feet.
As I stood in front of her, with a shocked look on my face, it soon became clear to Carol why I protested after she offered to change my bed spread for me.
The woman's underwear, could of easily been a rogue item accidentally folded away with the bed sheets on laundry day.
However this piece of underwear was clearly dirty, in fact it was an item of underwear my Mother-in-law would shortly recognise.
It was hers. Carols sporty thong I stole from her own pile of dirty washing many weekends ago.
"Oh, what's this" Carol said. "A lost and found item, escaped from the laundry. I hate it when that happens, it......" Carol paused to pick up the underwear.
I attempted to pick the item up before Carol.
A few days ago I would of been able to retrieve the item quicker than the 65 year old woman, some 25 years senior than myself.
However having only just returned from hospital a few days earlier, where I received an operation to remove my appendix. My ability to bend down or move with speed was heavily restricted due to the surgical incisions.
The surgeons advised me not to shower for 3-4 days else I risk weakening the surgical glue holding my keyhole surgery incisions together. Instead I am restricted to a wash cloth, clearly my sheets required a refresh.
"Um..." I said awkwardly.
"It's. " she continued. Contemplating what she now holds in her hands.
A deafening silence between us fills the room. My in-law switches on a mothers death stare, aimed in my direction. Hoping to understand what has literally unfolded before us.
"Is this my underwear Simon?" Carol questioned her son-in-law.
Carol has helped massively since I was taken to A&E 2 days ago. I fear that kindness, attention the mothering was about to abruptly end.
To be honest, I'm not sure how I could of coped without her. Like so often this past year or so.
"Yes" I replied. "Please, let me....."
Before I could finish a sentence, Carol made herself busy, finishing making the bed.
"I'm, so sorry Carol."
"It's not what it looks like" it clearly is I thought.
"Well.....yes. it is. But please hear me out."
Pausing her annoyed busy state, Carol afforded me a chance to explain.
Where do I start.
Watching Emma walk into school, like I have many times before was nothing new. As I turn to head home, satisfied my daughter was within the safe guard of her school. My thoughts rattled around my frequently consumed mind of how she is coping. Even after 14 months, the loss of my wife Sally, Emma's mother our thoughts will always be filled with sadness.
Especially as Mothering Sunday was coming up at the end of this week. A day many families will be celebrating. Ours will be a different type of gathering. Visiting your mothers grave as a child is never a happy experience no matter how you spin it.
Thankfully, my mother in-law Carol will be joining us. Providing us an opportunity to celebrate the day with her, thus restoring a sense of normality after our visit to Sally's plot.
The Mother's Day cards Emma's class will be making today, should be a fun exercise. For Emma I just hope, she can find the strength to complete hers. Whilst I pray that none of her classmates say anything spiteful.
"Hey, Emma. Why are you making a card you haven't got a mum". Silly, thoughts I know. But kids are kids, things are said, maybe not meant as spite but it won't take much to start her off.
It's a natural reaction, as a parent you fear for your loved ones. Which is why I asked the school in advance, will Emma be doing anything for the the special day as I needed to prepare her.
Trying to stay positive for Emma's is my priority.
All things considered, I'm coping with this shit quite well. When your partner dies of an illness you have time to prepare, which is a very thin silver lining I know but still something.
Looks of pity from mothers during the school run, came thick & fast at first. Which is understandable. Many people now just find it awkward to strike a conversation in fear of saying the wrong thing. If losing a partner wasn't bad enough, losing human contact, adult conversation was something I never considered. This loneliness is getting to me.