Novel – My Mother and Homeland

My Mother and Homeland (Part – 4)
The Weight of Helplessness (Episode> 9-11)

“My son, I’ve picked some fresh lemons. It’s market day today … you’ll have to take them to sell.”
Little Ethan would object without understanding anything —
“No, I can’t sell those! My friends will laugh at me.”
His mother tried to explain gently—
“They don’t understand our situation, that’s why they tease you. But we have to think about our reality. Your father’s income supports the whole family. Even this little extra money helps us. And the lemons are going to waste anyway.”
Mom’s words made him think.
He felt a deep pain for his father… and silently wondered —
Why is life like this? Why so much struggle? Why so much pain? Why not for others?
his mother came close, gently placing her hand on his head.
“My dear son… don’t be like that.”
Her calm, soothing voice brought peace to his heart.
With a heavy voice, he finally said—
“Alright, Mom… I’ll take it. You get everything ready.”
Seeing the condition of the once life-giving lemon tree, Ethan felt a deep sadness.
There was a time when this tree had been a quiet partner in their survival—almost like a member of the family.
Now, it stood fragile and neglected, as if silently pleading for life.
Arian tugged at Ethan’s hand.
“How long are you going to stand here, Uncle? Come on—let’s go that way. I’ll show you our cow.”
Ethan let out a quiet sigh.
“Alright… let’s go.”

Walking beside Arian, Ethan slowly immersed himself in the familiar surroundings.
The open fields, the trees, the calm breeze—everything felt like a forgotten piece of his soul returning.
Nature didn’t just comfort him…
it freed him.
For a brief moment, the weight of his worries seemed to disappear.
He wasn’t the same tired man anymore — he felt lighter, almost whole.
From a distance, Annie’s voice called out—
“Uncle!”
Ethan turned and walked toward her.
“Come home,” Annie said. “Mom made breakfast. She asked me to call you.”
Ethan nodded.
With Arian and Annie beside him,
he slowly made his way back home.

As Ethan reached the house, he noticed a pair of unfamiliar shoes outside.
Someone else was inside.
Just as he stepped in, Lila called out—
“Ethan, sit in the other room. Your cousin David’s wife is here.”
Ethan quietly moved to the next room.
Moments later, Mary entered with a soft laugh.
“David’s wife has never seen you before. She’s heard about you though. She came just to take a look.”
Ethan stayed silent.
There was a hint of sarcasm in Mary’s voice. Ethan understood this, but remained silent.
Placing the breakfast in front of him, Mary added playfully—
“Sit over there… Let him have a good look. After all, she came all this way just to see her handsome brother-in-law.”
She laughed again and left.
That laughter pulled Ethan into the past.
There was a time –

• To be continued…My Mother and Homeland> Part -5 (Episode> 12- 14)