Jannah

Jannah, Ollie Pietruska’s mother, is portrayed through a form of care that combines close attention with respect for boundaries. When Ollie returns to his childhood home needing help, she recognizes both the significance of his new relationship and the support he is asking his parents to provide. Her care is practical, patient, and shaped by what she knows of his trauma.

Family Presence and Understanding

In the living room of Ollie’s vividly coloured childhood home, Jannah and Wit sit on either side of their son. They do not touch him: since the accident, they have learned to keep that distance. Yet they sit close enough for Ollie to sense them even with his eyes closed. The scene makes their restraint part of their presence; care here means staying near without assuming that physical contact is welcome.

Ollie is unusually present as he tells them that he has met someone. Wit is surprised, but Jannah intuitively understands what he means and asks whether the person is a boy. When Ollie says the boy is a musician, she responds warmly and asks whether they can meet him. Her quick understanding does not make her intrusive: when Ollie says not yet, she accepts that the introduction must wait.

A Practical Response to Ollie’s Request

Ollie explains that he wants to be with someone but does not want to place the burden of his unresolved difficulties on him. Jannah’s response is not to dismiss that concern or to insist that he manage it alone. She and Wit ask what help he wants, and Wit raises the possibility of taking him to the place at Gubałówka. Ollie is certain that he does not want to go to Poland.

Jannah returns with a thick brown envelope containing information about trauma counsellors. She explains that they knew he needed more than just any counsellor, so they had searched carefully, hoping that one day he would allow them to help. Most of the counsellors are in London, addressing Ollie’s concern about travelling to Poland. The envelope turns a long-held readiness to help into something he can choose to use; Ollie’s hands shake as he takes it, but he lets his parents see his reaction and understand that they have done the right thing.

Attention and Boundaries

Jannah’s support continues through small acts of attention rather than pressure. When Ollie indicates that the boy he has met does not yet know something, she understands the reference and does not force him to explain. She asks whether he knows; Ollie says not yet. Jannah then calls him beautiful, and Ollie agrees. The brief exchange shows her registering both what her son has disclosed and what he is still keeping private.

Across these moments, Jannah’s intuition is paired with restraint: she recognizes Ollie’s feelings, welcomes the possibility of meeting the musician, and prepares help without deciding for him when to accept it. Her role in the scene is not to solve his trauma on his behalf, but to make support available while leaving him room to set the terms of closeness.