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Unexpected Turns: Last Words


"Shhh!" said Mum, "He's right, dear. I keep telling you I don't want a huge farm. Just a little house with a bit of land would keep me happy, but you keep aiming for the grand farm and it's always too big too afford!"

"That's right," said grandpa, "Why don't you listen to your wife? She's been working herself into the ground, making do with the pittance you give her each week. If you don't stop this craziness, you may end up with no wife!"

Dad was embarrassed. I knew he was because he looked down at his hands and started picking his nails.

"And now you, Dierdre," said grandpa, "I have to say some things about the way you run this household. No, don't try to stop me. This has to be said. I've been living with it for ten years now. I've seen you change from a happily married woman to a nervous wreck! You've lost your pretty smile, and you worry about everything!"

"No I don't," said Mum, "How can you say that?"

"When was the last time you sat with your children and read them a story?"

"I..."

"Can't remember can you?" said grandpa, "Its so long ago."

"I wouldn't want her to read a story to me!" I said.

"Of course not," said grandpa, smiling, "You're too old for that now. But what about other things, like going to the beach, and having an ice-cream together. Dierdre, you're too worried to sit down and rest. You never spend time with your kids, or your husband, because you're too busy trying to make money to pay for the things which your husband should provide. And why doesn't he provide them? Because he's obsessed with a dream farm which he will never buy!"

Mum was embarrassed now. She started to cry, quietly.

"And as for you, my boy," (I thought "Oh no, now its my turn!"), "I've been watching how you keep going to play with your friend Robin. Do you know why you spend most of your time at his place? I'll tell you. Its because his father spends a lot of time with you. You're still young enough to need a father's company, and Robin's Dad is the only one who has time for you."

"Hey, not fair!" protested Dad.

"Its true though, isn't it," said grandpa, fixing his


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