Short Story No.7
The Homework Tree
by
Susan Dodd
“How’s it going?’ I tread carefully through the maelstrom of tie-dyed clothes, tangled jewellery, scattered books and jumbled make-up. Pippa, clad in multi-coloured ethnic garb, is sitting lotus position in the midst of this, supposed, pre university sort out. Her waist length chestnut hair falls in a thick curtain as she gazes down studying what appears to be one of her old primary school exercise books.
“Remember this?” Rich brown eyes, so like my husband’s meet mine. Despite the heavy make-up there is no mistaking Pippa’s heritage.
I take the book and stare at the childish attempt at a family tree, lines drawn in coloured felt tip pens, writing crooked. Instantly I’m transported back 11 years, it’s a wet Sunday afternoon; a seven year old Pippa sits at the kitchen table dressed in pink glittery jeans and a Disney Tea shirt.
“Will you help me with my Homework Jane? I have to do a Family Tree.”
My heart misses a beat. I suppose its poetic justice that it should fall to me to explain the complexities. James, my husband of two year’s, is engrossed in a computer game with Tom so I’m clearly not going to get any help from that direction.
The first bit is straightforward enough, Pippa and her brother Tom, a slightly smudged purple line drawn up to their parents, Emma and Lawrence. I take the easy option first and get Pippa to add Emma’s parents, Edith and Edward, (just celebrated their Pearl Wedding Anniversary, 40 years of blissfully unhappy marriage judging by their constant and very public bickering). The lurid green pen used for the Johnson side of the family is exchanged for a vivid orange one ready for the Richards family. I can put it off no longer.
“So Lawrence’s Daddy is?”
“Granddad James!” with tongue poking out in concentration Pippa adds him to the tree.
“And Lawrence’s Mum is?”
“Nanny Paula”, more careful orange writing and a line connecting the two names. I feel a sudden pang of jealously as she draws that line however ridiculous that sounds.
The question is coming, I know it is.
“So where do I put you on the tree?” Pippa looks puzzled.
I glance at across at Lawrence who is watching five year old Tom demolish Granddad James at the video game, “What do you want me to tell her?”
“The truth”, he shrugs, eyes never leaving the screen.
OK, here goes.
“Well you know Granddad and I got married two years ago but he was married to your Nanny Paula when they had your Dad, so I don’t appear on your tree.” A love affaire, an acrimonious divorce and all the resulting complexities summed up in one sentence.
Pippa’s nonplussed by the revelation but persists with her question. “So how are we related?”
“Well I’m your Dad’s Stepmum”. I do hope she’s not been reading too many fairy stories lately – well we Stepmothers get such bad press.
“Yes but how are you related to me?”
“Well I suppose the nearest I can get to it is Step Grandmother, but I’ve never heard that term.” Strange to think it’s in common use these days.
“But I don’t call you Nanny?”
“No, well you’ve got two Nannies already you don’t need a third one.”
“So what should I call you?”
“Jane, just like you always have done. Actually you can call me anything you like as long as it’s not late for tea!”
Pippa collapses in giggles and the moment is defused.
“Jane!”
“Sorry Pippa, I was miles away”, the child is replaced by the tall, slim, clever young woman, about to make her way in the world.
“Linier family trees are fine for genealogy but they’re not really helpful in looking at the modern family unit. Look at this, it’s something we did in psychology, it’s called a “Relationship Ring”. She passes me her tablet showing a diagram of concentric circles. “This is how we look at interrelationships these days”.
Emma, Lawrence and Tom along with her best friends are in the inner ring. Edward, Edith, Paula, James and me, Jane, are in the next one. Each is independent of the others, given their position because of their relevance to Pippa’s life, irrespective of blood or marriage links.
“Labels don’t matter it’s the role you’ve always played for me, listening, caring, understanding and never judging, that’s what defines who we are to each other.”
I’m greatly moved and humbled by this. I’ll never have a perch on her tree but that place in her heart means the world to me. We share a rare hug but it’s time to lighten the atmosphere.
“Just a minute, who’s this Luke written in the inner circle, new boyfriend?” I tease.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Pippa replies.
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