A woman who just lost her mother brings home an old lady from a rest home, which makes her husband angry, and he leaves her right away.
Ann Fisher’s mother died when she was 52 years old. Ann was very close to her mother Fiona, and when she died, Ann was crushed. Ann was married and a mother, but Fiona’s death left a hole in her life that could not be filled.
The retirement home where Fiona had lived called Ann a week after her death and asked her to pick up her mother’s things. No one, not even Ann, thought she would be coming home by herself.
Ann had to hold back tears as she walked into the retirement home and thought of her mother. She went to the front desk and asked about her mother’s things.
“Mrs. Fisher,” the receptionist said with a sympathetic tone. “We can put the boxes with your mom’s clothes and things in your car if you’d like…”
A cry of “Annie?” cut off the receptionist. Who is Annie Carson? a voice asked. “Is that you?”
Ann turned around and saw an old woman who looked weak standing in front of her. She gasped, “Mrs. Gove?” “Oh my God!” It’s been more than thirty years…
Mrs. Gove stumbled over to Ann and wrapped her arms around her. She said in a whisper, “Oh, Ann.” “Seeing you makes me feel like I’m back with my Simon!”
Ann broke down in tears as she hugged Mrs. Gove. Sir… When was the last time she thought about Simon? Mandy had been alive for years, and she had finally come to terms with her past.
But once, when she was Annie Carson, who was happy and full of life, she was very, very in love with Simon Gove. It was at a college bar where they met.
Ann was sitting with her friend when all of a sudden, a huge glass of ice-cold beer poured over her. When she jumped up and let out an angry cry, she saw the most beautiful boy she had ever seen.
The boy cried, “I’m so sorry!” “Please forgive me!” When Anne tried to say something, the boy got down on his knees in front of her.
He told her, “You’re so beautiful.” “This was the only way I could think of to make you notice I’m still alive.” Say you’ll marry me and please forgive me!”
Ann laughed out loud, and her roommate Mae said, “Annie, this guy deserves an A+ for effort!” Get married already!”
The night before, everything was perfect. When Simon kissed her at the door to her college building that same night, she knew he was the one and would never want to kiss anyone else.
From that night on, Ann and Simon couldn’t be apart, and when he asked her to marry him two years later, she said yes. He took her to meet his parents, who were very nice to her.
What did Mrs. Gove say? “You are the first girl Simon has ever brought home!” “You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen—he was right!”
Ann laughed. She yelled, “You know you can’t trust Simon!” “He’s telling lies!”
Annie’s hand was taken by Mrs. Gove. She said, “No, my dear.” He loves you, and I think he’s found the right girl!
Ann and Mrs. Gove became best friends by the end of the stay. When Simon met Ann’s mom, Mrs. Carson was thrilled that her daughter had found a husband.
Ann thought at the time that everything was perfect and like a fairy story. She was 23 years old and about to marry the guy of her dreams and become a teacher.
Then, two days before the wedding, Ann and her mother went to get the dress. When they got home, Simon’s dad was sitting on their front step with his head in his hands.
Ann had yelled, “Mr. Gove!” “Why are you come here so early?”
Ann knew something bad was going to happen when she saw Mr. Gove’s badly hurt face after he dropped his hands and fought to his feet.
He spoke quietly, “Annie.” “Hi Annie, this is Simon.” Last night there was a car crash involving him and his friend David. Mr. Gove was choked by a terrible sound that was half scream and half sob.
“No!” Annie cried out. She moved forward and pushed Mr. Gove. “Liar, liar, liar!” Ann jumped up the stairs, ran into the house, and locked herself in her room.
She laid in bed and felt scared. She called him a liar. “He lies!” My Simon is fine. “He’s fine.”
After a while, she heard someone knocking on the door. That was Mrs. Gove’s voice she heard. “Please let me in.” Ann could hear the pain in Simon’s mom’s words.
She couldn’t say no to her because the pain she heard was so much like her own. She got up and opened the door. Mrs. Gove said, “My love.” Simon is no longer with us.
The two women sobbed together until they had no more tears to shed. Mrs. Gove told Ann after the funeral, “Simon will always live on in our hearts.”
She told her, “You’re so young, Ann.” When you wake up one day, you’ll find that it’s a beautiful day, even though it hurts. You might meet a young man one day and learn that you can love someone else. That’s fine. That’s life. That doesn’t mean you love Simon less; it just shows that you are human and getting better.
Ann shook her head no as she listened, tears running down her face. She yelled, “No!”
She said, “Yes,” in a soft voice. “Because Simon would have wanted that.” Apple, he loved you so much and would have done anything for you, so be happy for him.
After almost thirty years, Ann was standing with Mrs. Gove. “Why are you here?” Ann asked. “Mr. Gove…”
Mrs. Gove let out a sigh. She told him, “I’m sorry, Alfred died six months ago.” “I sold the house and moved us here because he had Alzheimer’s.” We used to be in the area for married couples; they just moved me here.
Ann said, “My mother was here.” “She died just now.” I really miss her!”
Anne got another hug from Mrs. Gove. “You need to be strong, sweetheart.” “Do you have a family?”
Ann said yes. “Yes, I do,” she said for sure. “My daughter is grown up and lives on her own now…” “Well, my husband works a lot and plays golf on the weekends…”
“I guess being a woman means being alone most of the time,” Mrs. Gove said in a soft voice.
When Ann looked at Mrs. Gove, an idea came to her. “Perhaps, maybe not… ”
Ann wasn’t by herself when she got home that afternoon. She called her husband, “Hey, honey!” “Jack?”
Her husband smiled when he saw her. He said, “Hey, girl!” and then he stopped. “Who is that?” he asked, looking at Mrs. Gove, who was standing in the living room with her bag next to her.
Ann said, “Jack.” “This is Mrs. Gove, an old and dear friend.” “She’s moving in with us.”
Jack asked, “What?” “Do you mean to say that?”
Ann said, “Well.” “You always told my mom she could live with us…”
“No, she didn’t!” Jack spoke out.
“Because she…” Ann stopped and thought about what she could say that wouldn’t hurt.
“Because I didn’t like her!” Jack cried. “Are you sure I didn’t know that?” Why do you think I told her to move in? I knew she would never do that!”
Ann looked at Jack. “You planned it to look good?” she asked. “You didn’t mean that?” That’s too bad. Mrs. Gove is moving into the room I set up for my mom!”
“That woman moves in, and I’m leaving!” Jack yelled.
Ann said in a calm voice, “Go ahead.” “You work or play golf all the time already.” I really don’t think that leaving will change anything in my life. Also, don’t forget that this is MY house. This house was bought before I met you. I have a job that pays well. Jack, I don’t need you anymore. I haven’t needed you in years, not since you stopped loving me.
Jack slept on the couch that night, while Mrs. Gove slept in the guest room. He got ready for the day and left the house in the morning. Ann used Skype to talk to her daughter Mandy and tell her what was going on.
“Mom,” Mandy said, “I’m not shocked that you kicked dad out, but I am shocked that you took in some random old woman!”
“Mandy, Mrs. Gove is NOT just any old woman!” Ann cried. “She’s the mother of the boy I loved and planned to marry when I was 23.” I love her even though she’s all by herself. I miss my grandmother a lot, and I think Mrs. Gove and I will get along well. Okay? I want you to meet her. I believe you will adore her.
“You were planning to marry someone else?” Mandy asked. “Tell me about that guy…”
And Ann did. It felt good to talk about Simon and the wonderful, dizzy years when she was Annie and thought dreams could come true and love would last forever.
Mandy fell in love with Mrs. Gove when she came to visit for Thanksgiving. The two of them laughed and talked like schoolgirls. Ann had a great weekend. She had never been so happy and at ease with her life.
The phone then rang, and it was Jack. Ann could hear him whine, “Did you know your mother left me for an old woman?” when he asked to talk to Mandy.
“You were the one who left, dad,” Mandy said in a cold voice. You actually left mom years ago when you stopped being there for her and paying attention to her. I’ve met Mrs. Gove, and she’s a lovely, kind woman. She’s here with her mom, which makes me happy.
Ann was so happy to have Mrs. Gove with her. The two women had two wonderful years together before Mrs. Gove’s already weak health got worse.
She was in the hospital near the end, but Ann was there with her and held her hand as she died. Ann saw her friend smile and say her son’s name before her eyes closed for good.
Mrs. Gove was buried next to her husband and her adored son. Ann was shocked when Mrs. Gove’s lawyer called her after the funeral and asked her to come into his office.
He told her that Mrs. Gove had left Ann her whole estate, which was worth more than $1.7 million. He read from the will, “Anne Carson Fisher was meant to be my daughter, but fate let us down.” Ann was there for me at the end of my life! She really is my daughter.
Ann was shocked by Mrs. Gove’s left behind, but she was even more shocked when her ex-husband called. He spoke in a rude way when he said “Ann.” “Babe, I thought we could start over together…”
Ann yelled, “Jack!” “I’ll see you in hell first!” Get away! “Get out of my life!”
