Katherine had been sitting in the queue for two hours, waiting for old Granny Nell. The wise woman was her last hope. For years, Kate had tried to carry a child, but for reasons no one could explain, shed failed every time.
“I honestly dont know what to tell you Your tests are perfect, no abnormalities at all,” the doctor had said, shaking her head.
“But there must be some explanation. If I’m completely healthy, why cant I conceive?” Katherine had pressed.
“I dont know. Medicine cant explain this. Maybe try going to church” the doctor had murmured.
Katherine and James had been married five years. Their life together was perfectcomfortable finances, a lovely home, love and understanding. The only thing missing was the sound of childrens laughter in their spacious house.
Deep down, Katherine had long suspected a curse hung over them. After the doctors words, she became certain.
“Church is fine, but in your case, you need a wise woman!” her friend had whispered, scribbling an address. “Go, dont overthink it. The sooner, the better.”
Finally, it was her turn. She stepped hesitantly into the small cottage. Inside sat a frail but kind-looking old woman in a white shawl and a floral dress. Katherine smiledshed imagined someone far more frightening, with fangs and a black cat perched on her shoulder.
“Hello, dear. Sit here, by the icon,” Granny Nell said softly.
“You know, I have this problem” Katherines voice broke as she burst into tears.
“I know, love. And Ill help as best I can,” the woman soothed.
Katherine sat obediently by the large icon of the Virgin Mary. Granny Nell lit a candle, recited prayers, and moved the flame around Katherines form. The ritual lasted twenty minutes. Then the old woman took Katherines hands.
“You wont conceive until the curse over you is lifted. Its been with you since childhood,” she said calmly.
“What curse? Who would curse me? Ive never hurt anyone!”
“You havent. But your mother carried a terrible sin, and now you bear the weight of it,” Granny Nell explained.
“Thats not fair! My mothers long gonewhy should I pay for her mistakes?”
“Its the way of the world. We cant change it.”
“Can you help me?” Katherine asked desperately.
“No. If it were the evil eye or a hex, perhaps. But this no,” the old woman shook her head. “You must learn who your mother wronged and try to make amends. Most importantly, pray sincerelynot just for yourself, but for your enemies too.”
“Thank you,” Katherine whispered.
She climbed into her car and called James.
“James? I wont be home tonight. I need to visit Aunt Gladys. Ill explain later, love.”
Katherine started the engine and drove to the countryside.
“Kate! What a surprise! Id have lit the fireplace!” Aunt Gladys beamed.
“Im here for answers,” Katherine cut in. “Tell me the truth. What did my mother do? Why am I paying for her sins?”
Aunt Gladys hesitated, then sighed. She revealed that Katherines mother, Elizabeth, had been the village beauty, courted by many. But shed fallen for a married manWilliamand stolen him from his wife, Mary. Devastated, Mary had begged on her knees for Elizabeth to return him, only to be mocked and turned away.
Before leaving, Mary had screamed a curse upon Elizabeth and her unborn children.
“And then?” Katherine whispered, horrified.
“Your mother married William. You were born. But they died youngone after the other. Almost like the curse took them. And now you cant have a child.”
“Does Mary still live here? I need to beg her forgiveness.”
“Marys not well. After losing William, she lost her mind. One day, she attacked a stranger. They took her to an asylum, and her son, Leo, went to an orphanage.”
“Leos older than me. That makes him my half-brother?”
“Yes. But his life hasnt been kind either,” Gladys sighed. “After the orphanage, he drank, got into trouble. Then one winter, he got lost in the woods. They found him, but he lost his legs. Now hes in a wheelchair.”
“So my mother didnt just break a marriageshe ruined lives.”
“Im afraid so.”
“Take me to Leo. I need to see him.”
“Are you mad? Hes always drunk! Stay away!”
“If you wont help, Ill find him myself.”
“Fine! But dont say I didnt warn you!”
They walked through the snow to a crumbling cottage. The fence had collapsed, and the only light inside came from an oil lamp. A raspy voice called, “Its open!”
“Leo?” Katherine stepped inside. The air reeked of cheap liquor and smoke. A man sat in a wheelchair, a white cat curled on the table.
“The cat sleeps wherever he likes,” Katherine stammered.
“‘Snow’ does as he pleases,” Leo slurred. “What do you want? Social services? Piss off!”
“No. Im Katherine. Your sister.”
Leo laughed bitterly. “Come to gloat? Theres no inheritancethis hovels my mothers.”
“I came to apologize. How can I help you?”
Leo sneered. “Got fifty quid?”
Silently, Katherine placed two hundred pounds on the table.
“Cheers. Youre forgiven. Need absolution again, drop by!” He cackled.
“Let me get you proper care. Medicine, doctors”
“Piss off. I need sleep.”
Katherine left, tears blurring her vision. She hadnt expected such ruin.
Over the next week, she couldnt stop thinking of Leo. Lost, she went to church. After the service, she prayedfor her enemies, as Granny Nell had said.
“Troubled, my child?” the priest asked.
She confessed everything.
“The wise woman was wrong. Children dont pay for parents sins. But prayer is rightpray for those whove hurt you.”
“What do I do about Leo? I want to help him, but James”
“Follow your conscience.”
The next day, she returned. Leo, sober but surly, glowered.
“Here for more forgiveness? Bring cash?”
“No. Youre coming with me. Im your sister. If you wont take help for yourself, take it for me. Youre all the family Ive got.”
“Where?”
“First the hospital, then my home. Plenty of space.”
Leo hesitated.
“One condition. Snow comes too.”
“Deal.”
***
Three months later, Leo had settled in. Hed taken to computers, studying coding.
“Prosthetics arrive tomorrow from Germany,” James said, clapping his shoulder. “Youll walk again.”
“Never thought I would,” Leo murmured.
“Thank Kate. Shes over the moon having you here.”
Six months later, James and Leo stood outside the maternity ward. Through the window, Katherine held newborn twins.
“Lifes about to get noisy!” James laughed.
“Ready to be an uncle to two?”
“Born ready,” Leo grinned. “Well manage.”
