Characters involved or mentioned in this story are:-
Patrick; dead, possible suicide?
Sandra his profligate wife and her baby (little Patrick)
Helen, mother, and grandmother
Padraig, Patrick's younger brother and his mother's second favourite.
They stood together in the cemetery as the headstone was unveiled, Mother and son, they were the only two there, the widow had cried off.
Mom read the words, "much loved son, father and husband."
'Everyone in this graveyard has the same or similar epitaph, it means so much and yet so little, where's Sandra do you think?'
I grunted a response, I disliked my sister-in-law intensely, I hoped one day to chisel the word husband of the headstone.
'She's asked me to mind baby Patrick of an afternoon.'
I looked at mother, 'she'll take advantage of you, you know that don't you?'
'I don't see how she can, if it doesn't work out, I'll just stop.'
I snorted a rebuttal, 'yes, I'm sure,' I made it sound as disapproving as I could, 'anyway, when I've finished my latest project, I'll be doing some consultancy, working from home, you know.'
'From my home, you mean?'
'Yes, if you don't object, I intend to do some of those repairs that you keep talking about, choice is yours.'
She raised her hands and almost clapped with joy, then remembered where she was and resumed her sombre demeanour.
'I take it Sandra is in need of money, has she a job?'
'Just afternoons.'
I spoke tersely, 'you've loaned her money, haven't you?'
'Yes, for my grandson, what would you do?'
'I wouldn't lend that money grabbing....' I left off the final word, 'she virtually bankrupted Patrick with her overspending, you know that, and, if you're not careful, she'll do the same to you.' I now realised I needed to protect my mother, she was putty in Sandra's hands, 'I'll finish of my work and return as soon as I can, if she asks you for anything tell me and hold out, okay?'
'I'll tell you everything, I promise.'
And so, I left, but within two weeks I was back, while I was away mother had been uncommunicative, so I feared the worst, I wasn't disappointed.
My mother stood at the door as I drove up the driveway, at least she looked pleased to see me, I placed my bags and files in the hall and went back to the car for more, mother took everything into my room, she lived in a three bed-room bungalow, so I had the smallest bedroom as an office.
'It's good to see you' I said, giving her a hug, I stood back and held her at arm's length, 'you look a bit frazzled, have you started the baby-sitting?'
'Yes, and little Patrick does nothing but cry, she's breast-feeding him but is late every day and he just cries and cries,' she shrugged, looking totally defeated.
'Sandra, is breast-feeding, what's she after, mother-of the-year?'
'It's a long story, come on the kitchen, I've got tea brewing and there's some cake I made. Sandra has talked me into taking pills, they allow a woman to produce milk, you know, breast milk.'
I nodded, I'd heard about these pills, 'you breast fed me and Patrick.'
'Yes, you were two years apart, I produced milk for almost four years.'
I nodded for her to proceed, though I didn't really like were this was going.
'Anyway, this latest method allows Granny's to breast feed a grandchild while the mother goes to work, she then takes over, the baby never needs to have Formula Milk Powder.'
I noticed her breasts were slightly larger than the last time I was home, 'so you're taking these pills and feeding little Patrick.'
'The trouble is I am producing more than he needs, I don't like to express my milk into a bowl, it goes everywhere, and I don't have a breast pump,' she gave a sigh, smacking of self-pity.
'As luck would have it, she'll be here in a couple of hours, and you can see the problems I have.'
I felt a bit nonplussed; how could I help a breastfeeding woman?
'I've got money, you only have to ask,' I told her, but she shook her head.
'It could just be teething trouble, in a week's time everything could be working fine.'
I agreed but didn't hold out much hope, she'd fed two healthy, lusty sons for almost four years, I figured she should cope with one grandchild but......?
I went for a nap, waking when Sandra arrived, the baby was asleep, 'well hell, if it isn't Padraic, long time no see?'
'Yes, er, it's good to see you, you're looking well.'
'I could say the same for you, are you here long?'
'Hard to tell but for the foreseeable future I'll be working from home, this home of course.'
'Mom says you're working, just afternoons I believe?'
She was quiet for a moment, 'er, yes, temporary work, temping, you know.'
She seemed unsure which surprised me, 'so, you're temping?'
'Yes, as I said, just temporary stuff.'
'Does it pay well?'
She didn't look too pleased, she knew mother now had someone who would look after her interests, she appeared distinctly uncomfortable.
'Varies.'
Mother took the carry cot and put it in front of the fire in the spare room, but a safe distance away. Sandra was in a rush, she couldn't wait to get away, hasty goodbyes and she was gone.
I looked over to mom who was sat on the sofa, 'what now?'
'I just sit here and wait for him to wake up, the sooner the better.'
We sat in the warm room, she did nothing, just waiting, I read a book, I thought how awful she must feel, waiting for a baby to wake and howl for milk.
I had just reached the end of a chapter when the baby began to snuffle around, not quite awake, 'do you want me to get him,' I asked?
She shook her head, 'could be a false alarm.'
I reached for my book, but two little arms appeared, waving in the air then a wail, mother sat up straight, 'can you lift him up for me,' she asked, reaching with one hand to undo the buttons on her blouse, her breasts appeared, full, rounded and inviting, 'aren't you supposed to wear a special bra,' I asked, embarrassed by her breasts being on display.
'Yes, Sandra promised to buy me one but didn't, and I don't see why I should spend my own money, I could spend a fortune, what with breast pumps, special containers, etc etc.''
'I'll go into the office, leave you in privacy.'
'I'll call you if I need you,' so with that she walked into the spare room placed him over her left breast and grasped the nipple between thumb and index finger and pushed it into his little mouth.