Suitcase. (Story).(Short Story)

It must have been something they did. Lucy, sprawled on the floor by the window, drawing, put down her pencil and carefully sat up. Mum's face was quite white but her eyes glittered and on each cheek there was a burning spot of colour.

"I've had it," she said. "Had it with both of you." She glanced at Sheilah, who only then put her book down. Lucy could tell she didn't want to, though. Her hands still hovered over it but her face was carefully composed and she met Mum's eyes without flinching. Lucy couldn't. She was too frightened. Mum was dangerous when she was angry.

"Other women don't have to put up with this. They have lives of their own, husbands, homes. What have I got? Nothing! Nothing except you two. And why--" her voice rose and almost broke "--why should I have to give up everything for you two? Tell me that. Why?" She grabbed hold of Lucy's shoulder and twisted her face towards her. "Why? You tell me! Why?" Then, abruptly, she pushed Lucy away and went over to the dressing table. She wrenched open the top drawer and emptied its contents on the nearest bed. "I'm going," she said. "I'm leaving you. Let someone else do the worrying for a change. Your Uncle Peter. He's always got so much to say. Let him work out what to do with you. If he doesn't want you, he can try foster care. Or maybe he can track down that no good bastard of your father and let him have a go. I don't care. I've had enough." She bent down and scrambled under the bed. Panting a little, she emerged with a suitcase which she threw on the bed next to the pile of clothes.

With a little incoherent cry, Lucy flung herself at her mother. "No, no, Mummy. Mummy, don't go. We'll be good. We'll do everything you say. Please. Oh, please, Mummy, don't go." Her mother didn't even glance at her. She turned back to the dressing table, and Lucy would have fallen if Sheilah hadn't stepped forward suddenly to steady her. Sheilah's face was as pale as their mother's. But it was still. Only her nostrils quivered delicately. She let her hands rest on Lucy's shoulders.

Mum threw a handful of clothes in the case. "Oh, yes," she said. "I've made enough sacrifices, stayed here and let your Uncle Peter boss me around just so you girls could have a nice ...