You’re not alone, my girl…
“Thompson, do you want to feed your baby?”
“No, I already told you. I’ll be writing a refusal.” The nurse shook her head and left. Zoe turned to the wall and began to sob. The nursing mothers in the ward exchanged glances and continued feeding their little ones.
Zoe was admitted during the night, went into labor quickly, and gave birth. A baby boy, 7 pounds 11 ounces. Healthy and beautiful. Looking at him, the new mother cried, but not from joy.
“Well, everything’s fine. Why are you crying? You’ve got such a good lad, a little strongman. Wanted a girl, did you? Never mind, you’ll have one next time.”
“I’m going to leave him. I won’t be taking him home…”
“Well, that’s a shocker. What’s the reason? Don’t be silly, lass. Take your time to think it over, it’s your child after all, won’t you miss him?”
Daisy, Zoe’s roommate, was sitting with her husband on a bench in the visitor’s corridor, recounting how their daughter wrinkles her nose in a funny way. They laughed heartily, and then a woman with a parcel approached, asking for Zoe. Daisy went to the ward and brought Zoe out.
“Sweetie, how are you? And the baby? By the way, have you named him yet?”
“He doesn’t have a name… Let his new parents decide. I’m leaving him, Mum. We’re not needed, just alone in this whole world…”
Zoe covered her face with her hands, shaking with sobs. Daisy felt awkward witnessing the scene and quickly said goodbye before leaving.
“You’re not alone, darling, I’m here for you. David’s nothing but a scoundrel, what more can I say? That mistress of his convinced him the baby wasn’t his, that you strayed, and now he’s furious. He’ll come to his senses and return. I’ve brought you some treats, eat so your milk is nourishing. Call him Jack.”
Zoe returned to the ward and stashed the parcel in the cabinet. In the corridor, an agonizing, piercing cry echoed. Zoe stepped into the hallway.
“Is that not my baby screaming?”
“It is yours.”
“Let me feed him…”
The nurse promptly brought the baby over. He yelled intensely, his face flushed from the effort.
“Shhh, don’t cry so much. Mummy’s here to feed you now.”
Zoe clumsily tried to get the screaming child to latch on. Daisy stepped in to help. The baby quieted, the process started. Zoe’s face softened into a smile; how cute and funny he was, this little bundle, puffing and working hard. From then on, Jack was brought to his mum for every feeding. Zoe enjoyed studying his button nose and furrowed little brows.
“Zoe, was that your mum who came to see you? Such a nice lady.”
“No, it’s my mother-in-law. Mum passed away when I was little, Dad drank himself silly, and my aunt raised me. Then I got married and moved in with my husband. We lived well until he had his fling. He left for her, doesn’t want to know me. I was beside myself, and then the labor started…”
“Where will you go with the baby now?”
“My mother-in-law says I can live with her. She’s alone, no husband, only has one son – and he’s run off. She’s a good-hearted woman, always treated me well.”
“Then go to her; she’ll dot on the grandson. It’ll be a big help. And your husband will come to his senses and return…”
Zoe did just that. Anna Thompson helped with everything, cherished the grandson deeply. When Jack turned a month old, Zoe’s husband showed up. Zoe was out shopping.
“Mum, I’m heading north with Cathy. Got a job offer there. Stopped by to say goodbye. Oh, and… could you spare some money, whatever you can?”
“Spare you? You abandoned your wife while she was expecting, scoundrel! She almost left the baby at the hospital out of grief. If your father were alive, you’d get what for such antics. I won’t give you anything. I have a grandson to think of, he needs it more, and you can earn your own.”
Just then Jack bawled, and Anna rushed to the crib.
“What, won’t you even look at your son? He’s your spitting image.”
“How’s he my son? Zoe fooled around, why’d I need what’s not mine.”
“You foolish, Vince. Go on, live brainlessly.”
Anna retired, and Zoe took her place at work. Jack went to nursery, and they lived happily as a trio.
“Anna, isn’t your daughter-in-law considering leaving? It’s unheard of, a mother-in-law living with her daughter-in-law while kicking out the son.”
“Zoe is dearer to me than my silly son, and my grandson is my favorite person. I live for them, Sarah. You should watch your wicked tongue.”
Neighbor Sarah shook her head and went off about her business. She couldn’t comprehend Anna’s choices; her son would always come first, though he was a drunkard, fate perhaps. Anna noticed Zoe was taking care of her appearance, going out in the evenings.
“Zoe, what’s his name?”
“Who, Mum?”
“Who you’ve been seeing… Tell me, I’m curious.”
“Oh, we’re just walking… He’s a military man, visiting relatives, we met by chance.”
“So, does he know about Jack?”
“Of course, he knows everything…”
“Then bring him around, no need to hide him from me. If he’s a good man, let it be…”
Alex, as Zoe’s acquaintance was called, brought a basket of berries and a pie made by his aunt. He gifted Jack a toy car and a football. The evening was cheerful, with Alex sharing amusing stories from his life. Zoe doubled over in laughter, and even Anna laughed till tears streamed down her face.
Seeing the guest out, Zoe immediately asked, “What do you think of him? Is he a good person, do you think, Mum?”
“He’s a good man, dear… Respectable, interesting, well-mannered, and most importantly, he loves you. A worthy suitor, don’t miss out on happiness!”
A month later, Alex came to ask for Zoe’s hand in marriage from Anna.
“Rest assured, I’ll never hurt Zoe and Jack. We’re moving to Bath, I have a big house there. We love each other, and Jack is like a son to me. Please give us your blessing.”
Anna saw Zoe off with Alex and Jack. They moved to a new city and promised to write and visit. Now she was alone, without them…
A year later, her son, Vince, turned up. Disheveled, untidy.
“Heavens, what do you resemble, Vince? Doesn’t Cathy do the laundry?”
“Ah… There’s no Cathy anymore. She ran off with some rich guy. We drank away everything; no money left… I remembered I still have a mother and a house…”
“About time you remembered! So many years without knowing if I was even alive…”
“She also admitted to lying about the child to break us up, and I believed it… I want to get to know my son… Where is he, by the way?”
“You let happiness slip through your fingers. Zoe married a decent man and is happy. Jack is now recorded as his, so you have no son. I’m packing up to live with them. Zoe had a daughter, and I want to help and look after my granddaughter. You stay here and mind the house, got it?”
Anna rode the train, reflecting on life’s surprises. It’s such a joy to be needed and to have someone to help and support, just as she once did for Zoe. If she hadn’t stepped in, who knows how life would have turned out for all of them…
