I would often visit Laura at her house. I had been shopping, a gift of goodies came with my purchase of makeup. Driving home from the shop I knew who would enjoy the gift, enjoy it more than me, my glamorous daughter Laura with the perfect made-up face. I knocked on her door, she answered, she was tired. It was late in the day. ‘Not going to ask me in?’
Up the stairs we go. Her kitchen was a tip, and the microwave held a dried up meal. ‘Look at the state,’ I said.
‘I’m going to clean up after.’
I dropped the topic and headed to the living room. I gave her the gift of goodies, she was happy about that.
On my out, she asked me whether I could ring in future, let her know I was going to call. ‘Don’t just turn up unannounced.’
I went home feeling disappointed at being greeted in that way.
And so it was – I would ring her to herald my arrival. Sometimes I would be told not to call at all.
Pre-arranged, I knocked on her door, she opened and stepped out. We headed down the street together. I had errands she was not interested in, said she would meet me in half an hour. She found me in the street, rushed at me, worry etched on her face, and said …
addictchild 