Our story takes place two months after mom’s death. I have remained silent unless spoken to in the weeks after her death and have also not left the house since she has died. I haven’t even gotten dressed and have stayed in my pyjamas most days. I have been unable to sleep at night or eat. I only speak when asked questions or when I need something. This is hard for me to do however because of the lack of support I have. Megan and I are still divorced to this point and she has become very close with Ben who has unresolved issues with me owing to a fight we recently had and also because Megan has brought our fights to his attention which he believes Megan didn’t deserve. However. the biggest problem between us has been my continued support of mom prior to her death at times when both of my brothers were fighting with her. Their claim to make my life miserable if and when mom was to die has surely been made apparent. However, I never would have thought that Ben would go to lengths he has gone to make sure I get no comfort in my life without mom.

After not speaking to Megan for weeks, she finally calls me intent on trying to at least make me look presentable, (in her words,) for mom’s upcoming funeral. She says that I need to get in the habit of dressing during the day and not being so reclusive. She warns me that my failure to restart this part of my life will result in her disowning me as well as she will not want to do her job anymore. As these words remind me of mom, it makes me cry which she frowns upon telling me to grow up. Despite how harsh this may seem, I take it with a grain of salt as she is the first person who I have had contact with since mom died. However, I will quickly learn that having any contact with Megan at all is perhaps as good as it will ever get for me.

The night before the funeral, I get a call from Megan who tells me to have my nicest clothes ready for the funeral. She says she will be there with Ben to pick me up in the morning and that I need to be up in time. Once again, these are words that mom frequently told me prior to her death and this results in me crying. This is unfortunately shown to annoy Megan as she reacts accordingly.

“Stop crying. This is getting annoying. She is gone. Am I going to have to put up with this from now on? Because if this is the case, I don’t want to anymore and this will stop anymore contact between you and I. You’re not a baby so stop acting like one. You need to grow up.” she says

“I’m sorry. I love you.” I reply

“That’s another thing. Stop saying that you love me. You know we’ve filed for divorce and I’m not in love with you anymore. I have a boyfriend and he is coming to the funeral as well. I’m warning you that if you cry like a baby and embarrass me in front of him, I don’t care if it’s a funeral for your mom or not, when it’s all over, I will disown you. Do you hear me?” she threatens

“Ok. I’ll try and by the way, who is this boyfriend you are talking about?” I ask

“You’ll find out when I’m ready but I will tell you this. He knows about everything you put me through during our relationship and he’s not happy about it. He’s only coming to this funeral because he’s my boyfriend and I want him to meet you so you understand that it’s over between us. So no more I love you or trying to flirt with me because if this happens, we will both leave you and you can find your own to and from the funeral and get ready for it yourself. Is that clear?” she warns

The next morning, Megan and Ben arrive in the same car. I find myself excited to see Ben having not seen him since before mom died.

“Hey Ben. How are you?” It’s been so long. I have to ask. How are you holding up?”

Don’t talk to me.” he says

Megan comes in the house and asks, “Are you getting ready or not?” I have to help you with a shower and get you dressed. I’m not in the mood. Either you want me help or you don’t but if you do want it, now is when I’m offering it to you. I don’t have all day so hurry up.” she says

After getting cleaned up and dressed in regular clothes, I look at Megan and ask her, “So where’s your boyfriend?”

“I told you that I would tell you that when I’m ready. As it turns out, I’m ready now so when you’re done, come in the kitchen. He’s waiting for you.” she says

After going downstairs, I see Ben and Megan standing in the kitchen. “Are you ready?” she asks

“Yes I’m ready.” I reply

“This is my boyfriend Ben.” she says before they share a kiss.

“Are you serious? Do you hate me that much Ben. “You’re literally in love with my ex wife?” I ask

“Hey you come any closer to us and we’re leaving. he warns. Now my new girlfriend and I have to tell you something. You’re moving in with us. This house is too expensive and there’s a risk of you falling. I don’t know why but for some reason, Megan cares about your safety enough not to want you to hurt yourself. You’re so lucky to have her in your life but you know what? I can’t believe you mistreated her when she was in love with you. Do me a favour. Don’t think of this as me stealing your girlfriend. Think of this as me working to ensure that she gets proper treatment so she’ll want to be with you in some form. After all, you need her now that mom has died.” he said

“Jeff, this is not up for discussion. You are coming to live with us whether you like or not. This is what your mom would want.” Megan said

After the funeral, we go back to Ben and Megan’s house where they show me my room.

“So this is where you sleep. You have a tv which has been programmed to feature everything that has ever been on tv from any year. All you need to do is turn it on. I have set up a tv tray table for you to eat your meals but don’t for one second think this is luxury living. You’re not allowed upstairs unless you need the washroom. After you use the washroom, you go back downstairs and you keep the door closed so Megan and I can have our privacy. Megan or I will come downstairs every morning to help you with a shower or get dressed and if you need food, we will bring it to you. You need to remember that this is our house and if you don’t respect our rules, you will be asked to leave. Now here’s the remote.” Ben said

Later on in the evening, Megan comes home. Without thinking, I rush upstairs and attempt to greet her.

“What did I say?” Ben asked angrily. “You get downstairs right now. My girlfriend just got home and we’re having a quiet dinner. Now go downstairs and don’t come up for the rest of the night.” Ben said

That night, I was kept awake by the sound of Ben and Megan getting intimate. The heartbreak of me losing my wife to my brother as well as still missing mom terribly is enough to make me cry. I pick up a picture of mom and I as I say to the picture, “You would never let this happen. I wish you could be here mom. You would not believe what I’m going through,” before falling asleep

The next morning when Megan comes downstairs to help me get ready for the day, she brings to my attention something that her and Ben believe it’s time for me to participate in.

“Since Ben and I aren’t going to put up with your nonsense as it relates to the loss of your mom anymore, you are joining a grief counselling group for people who have recently dealt with some type of hardship. The group meets every night and if you want us to be a part of your life, you will join and you will do so without complaining. Do I make myself clear?” she asks

“Yes.” I reply

“Good. The first meeting is in an hour.” she says

As has always been the case, I initially didn’t want to go but felt I had no choice since Megan and Ben were the only family I had up to that point. Though there is very little interaction between me and some of the other members, I meet a girl who has joined because her boyfriend recently left her. When it was my turn to speak, I brought up my story.

“My name is Jeff. About two months ago, I lost my mother who was my primary caregiver my whole life and really the only one I relied on. Shortly after that, I found out that my ex fiancee has entered into a relationship with my brother who is not fond of me to say the least. I’ve been depressed and my whole life seems hopeless especially since I lost the love of my life to a member of my family.” I say

“That’s so sad and you look like such a good looking guy. Do you think a night out with a new friend would maybe help your issue?” asks the girl

“Well maybe. What did you have in mind?” I ask

“There’s a dance taking place at a hall near this place. I don’t have a date. Do you want to go with me?” she asks

“Sure.” I reply

On the night of the dance, I get dressed up in a tuxedo while the girl dresses up in a blue dress. One of the songs playing at the dance reminded me of Megan. During the song, I start crying.

“What’s wrong?” asks the girl

“I just miss my wife and my mother but these songs remind me of my wife. Face it. My life is over and it’s been this way since mom died and it’s never going to get better. I’m going to die old and alone. Megan was my one chance at true love but I guess it’s true when people say you can never love an old sat disgusting man like me.” I respond

“That’s not true. I think you’re great and she doesn’t know what she is missing.” said the girl. Without warning, we end up kissing.

Meanwhile Megan and Ben have been talking.

“Do you think he’s learned his lesson yet? Do you think that me pretending to be your girlfriend has gotten into his head enough that he will start respecting me? He must know by now that I have no intentions of ever leaving him but I’m so sick of him accusing me of infidelity especially with members of his family that I wanted to actually do this so he can be hurt. Twenty years together and all I’ve heard is “You’re in love with (insert family member.)” I mean, do you not think that I would eventually get frustrated with hearing this? I want to make it clear that I never loved you but it was nice for at least some member of his family treats me right. I’m hoping he will learn from you but I am going back to him now. Thank you for your help.” Megan said.

“Trust me. Now that our mother is gone, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to him. I have lost respect for him because of the way he treated you. Now that you’ve proved your point to him, I’m moving out of the city.” said Ben

Megan leaves to come back to the house unaware of what has been happening. She comes in to find me and the girl on the pull out couch having spent the night together. She screams in shock.

WHO ARE YOU?” she screams

“Don’t answer that. It’s none of her business anymore. The fact is that you didn’t want me. You fell in love with my brother Ben so leave me alone.” I reply

As we begin to get intimate again, she pulls her off. “GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE NOW!” she screams. The girl runs away.

YOU KNOW I WOULD NEVER BREAK UP WITH YOU. THIS IS HOW MY LIFE IS. I’M MARRIED TO YOU. I NEVER FILED FOR DIVORCE BUT I’M SO FUCKIN SICK OF HEARING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN. “YOU’RE SLEEPING WITH THIS PERSON, THAT PERSON BUT YOU NEVER EVER GIVE ME CREDIT FOR SLEEPING WITH YOU! YOUR BROTHER WAS TRYING TO HELP ME GET MY POINT ACROSS. I NEVER DID ANYTHING WITH HIM. WE JUST MADE IT SEEM AS IF WE WERE. WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE. YOUR MOM IS GONE AND YOUR BROTHER WANTS NOTHING MORE TO DO WITH YOU BECAUSE OF THE WAY YOU TREAT ME. I’M THE ONLY PERSON IN YOUR LIFE SO YOU BETTER START RESPECTING ME OR I WON’T BE IN YOUR LIFE ANYMORE. YOU’LL BE ALONE AND IF I MAY SPEAK ON MY OWN BEHALF FOR A SECOND, YOU’LL NEVER FIND SOMEONE AS GOOD AS ME. NOW I DON’T KNOW WHO THAT GIRL IS BUT I DO KNOW THAT’S THE LAST TIME YOU WILL SEE HER. ENOUGH OF THIS INFIDELITY BS. YOU’RE COMING BACK WITH ME AND THIS IS HOW IT IS FROM NOW ON!”

Megan’s explanation for the event that initially occurred with Ben

To my shock, everything seems to return to the way it was once we return home. We are getting along and Megan is now more supportive of my grief towards mom’s untimely absence. Unfortunately, this would not last as Megan begins to suspect that my time with the other girl has yet to come to an end.

“I miss you.” she says

“Just come over tonight when Megan is sleeping. If we’re really quiet, we can see each other again.” I say

One night, Megan says she’s tired and wants to go to bed early. I tell her I’m going to stay up and watch tv. As she goes to bed, I call the girl and invite her over. She arrives sometime in the middle of the night.

“We have to be quiet or she will wake up.” I say

We sit on the couch and are getting intimate which unfortunately wakes Megan up.

“What’s going on down there?” she says

“I’ll call you tomorrow but you need to leave now.” I say

“Who are you talking to?” Megan asks angrily

“Nobody. Just got back to bed I’m watching tv.” I reply

“Well turn the volume down please. You woke me up.” said Megan

Without warning, the girl returns and the intimacy resumes to the point where Megan comes downstairs and spots us.

“What did I tell you?”

“I just missed him.” said the girl

“Nobody cares what you think! Get out now!” Megan demands

“I thought we were over all this BS. I feel like I can’t trust you anymore so you know what? It’s over again and I’m calling your brother. I told him I would call him for support if I ever needed him and we’re not getting intimate.” Megan says angrily.

“Megan I……she stops me before I have a chance to finish what I’m saying.

“I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT!” she screams. I’m going to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”

That night, I fall asleep in my chair when something unexpected happens.

I woke up to see an image of mom’s face from the afterlife. “Honey don’t cry. I’m right here.” she said

I then begin crying, “Mom is that you?” I reply

“Well who else would it be?” she asks

“I thought you were gone.” I say

“Well I am but trust me I can still see everything that goes on and let me tell you. I don’t agree with what has happened to you since I have passed. Remember how I said I didn’t want you to be taken advantage of or be forced to do things you didn’t want to do? Well, that’s exactly what has happened. Your place is with me. You can’t get any peace while I am where I am and you are where you are. You need to come and stay with me.” she says

“You know what I have to do then right mom?” I ask. I mean you can’t very well come down here anymore.

“Nor do I want to. Who does Ben think he is treating you like that sleeping with your girlfriend and turning her against you? Never mind what he did to me but you need to know that I will never forgive him. I want to thank you for being the only one who cared enough to show any mourning after I left. The fact is that I know you can’t go on without me so I need you to come up here with me. It will be just like it was when you were kids. There’s no pain here. No stress about anything. You and I can live free up here. Everybody else can go to hell.” Mom said

Mom what about Megan? I just can’t leave her here?” I ask

“If she really loved you, she would have never allowed Ben into her life. She’s your girlfriend not his. Do you think she really loves you. Do you think that Ben is going to suddenly turn around and start treating you properly? This is what I needed to know for when I died….that you were happy and safe and well taken care of. From what I can see, you are not so it’s my job as your mother to tell you that you are better off with me and this is how it’s going to be from now on. This is non negotiable. I will see you tomorrow. Now good night.” mom says

Just then the light holding mom’s image fades away and everything goes back to normal.

The End