One Daughter Between Two Mothers
The spark between Mary and James was instant, love at first sight. They had been dating for a month when, during another evening out, James suddenly said:
Mary, be my wife. She was stunned.
How? As your wife? Weve only been seeing each other for a month!
So what? Just a month, but it was more than enough for me to realise youre my destiny I dont need anyone else, no other girls exist for me
Oh, James, honestly, I agree, she laughed softly and nestled against his chest.
Darling, arent you rushing things? her mum questioned Mary about such a hasty decision, Youre not pregnant, are you?
Mum, what are you talking about? Of course not. James simply said he cant live without me, and I feel the same way. Thats just how our love is, Mum.
Before long, those who found their whirlwind marriage surprising realised these two were made for each other. Everything was well; from the outside, you could see how tenderly James cared for his wife, and she loved and looked after him just as much.
Their love was genuine and heartfelt, but a shadow lingered over their happiness. Both longed for children, but the hoped-for pregnancy never happened.
James, we should probably get checked. Maybe theres a reason I cant conceive.
I agree, her husband responded immediately.
There were so many hopes, visits to doctors, journeys, and prayers, but all was futile. Mary couldnt get pregnant.
Mary, Ive been thinking maybe we should go to the orphanage, adopt a child, and raise them as our own, James suggested, a bit unsure.
I agree! Mary blurted out. Shed dreamed of this for a while but feared her husband would be against it. Ive thought about it too
Then lets go, said James. I know just the orphanageI pass it on my way back from business trips, and thats when I decided.
When Mary and her husband went to the orphanage, among dozens of wary and weary little children, a three-year-old girla fair-haired child with blue eyesran up to Mary and hugged her knees.
Mummy, the girl declared joyfully, and Mary couldnt let go.
Thats how their daughter, Lucy, came into their livesa vibrant girl whose laughter sparkled like a stream. Mary finally felt truly happy, her maternal instincts blossoming at last. She adored Lucy, and James cherished her just as much.
Life was good. James and Mary lived in a village, where most people knew each other. Naturally, friends, especially neighbours, were aware that Lucy was adopted. While Lucy was small, there were no problems. But time passed, Lucy grew older, started school, and one day someone told her she was adopted.
Lucy was fourteen then; she returned from school and had a meltdown.
Mum, why didnt you and Dad tell me I wasnt your daughter? I know you took me from the orphanage
Darling, please, calm downwe wanted to tell you, but we thought wed wait until you were older, so it wouldnt hit you so hard. But now, since others told you We always feared this moment.
Lucy cried and shouted, then withdrew, and finally became bitter. It was the age; adolescents often struggle to express themselves. Lucy acted rudely towards her parents, slammed doors, and could even talk back.
Then, something unexpected happenedJames died. Mary could barely accept the news; her husband had been killed in a car crash returning from a business trip out of town, just before Christmas, during a heavy snowstorm.
James often went away for work, sometimes for a week or so, and if delayed, would send a postcardphones werent common back then. When Mary lost her husband, she was forty-six. Instead of supporting her mum, Lucy seemed to go off the railsshe vanished from home, ignored her mother, and was frequently insolent.
Mary tried desperately to connect with her daughter, cried, pleaded, but never raised her voice at Lucy. Thats how life went. Lucy matured quickly. One day, after finishing school, she informed her mother:
Im moving to the city, Lucy announced firmly.
Mary looked up wearily, clutching a tea towel.
Is it for your studies, darling?
No, I want to look for my birth mother
Marys breath caught, and she asked, nervously:
But why, Lucy? Isnt it enough that Im your mum?
Lucy turned to the window, silent for a long time.
I have to know who she is. I need to understand why she gave me up, why she abandoned me. I have the right to know.
You do, darling, Mary agreed, understanding that nothing could stop her daughter.
Lucy was almost nineteen now. She quickly packed her few belongings into a small bag, kissed Marys cheek, and promised to visit sometimes. Lucy left home and walked to the bus stop. Mary stood, eyes full of longing, watching her daughter go. She was alone now.
A lot of time passed. Days dragged slowly. Mary was long retired, and during those long winter evenings, she would sift through her husbands postcards, tucked in an old biscuit tin tied with ribbon. There werent many postcards, and the last one, decorated with pine branches and yellowed with age, read: Mary, Ill be delayed by three days, I miss you and send kisses, yours, James.
Mary ran trembling fingers over the card, hugged it to her chest as if embracing her late husband. So many years had gone by, so many things had changed. Nearly twenty-five years had passed since James died.
Mary sat by the window, overwhelmed by memories. She had grown weaker; once she used to sit on the bench outside the shop with other ladies, now she rarely went beyond her garden gate, only to the shop and back.
The curtains were drawn, the mailbox empty, the house quiet. Only when Lucy visited with her children did the house fill with joy. But those visits were rare. Otherwise, Mary was always alone. On her dresser stood a picture of James holding little Lucy, both smiling.
Oh, James, you left too soon, left me all alone, she would whisper to the photo. Im completely alone now.
In the silent house, only Tabby, her cat, would break the stillness, jumping down from the windowsill or purring loudly near his mistress. Mary fed Tabby, drank her tea, and decided shed go to the shop today. She glanced at the photo as she walked into the room.
She sipped her tea when suddenly someone knocked at the gate.
She remembered how Lucy had told her she was leaving to search for her birth mother. Mary relived that time over and over. It had been a grey and quiet morning. Mary sat in the kitchen, brewing tea, when someone knocked at the gate.
She put on her shoes, wrapped herself in a shawl, stepped into the garden, and opened the latch. A woman stood there, much younger than herself, her eyes sad.
Good afternoon Are you Mary? The strangers voice shook.
Yes, and who are you?
The unknown woman hesitated, shifting from foot to foot.
Im Lucys mum well, her other mum her biological, I meanmy name is Emma You get the idea, she spoke nervously.
Mary felt a chill inside. Lucy had left not so long ago, and suddenly here was her motherhow had she found her?
Waithas something happened to Lucy, since youre here? Mary asked anxiously, So she found you
Emma explained hurriedly:
Lucys in hospital In town, somethings wrong with her stomach We were walking in the park, she grabbed her belly and sat on a bench, turned paleI called for an ambulance straight away.
They stood silently, looking at each other.
Lucy found me ages ago, but was afraid to let you know, Emma sniffed.
Oh, why are we standing hereplease, come in, Mary recovered herself, Lets go inside.
She poured Emma a hot cup of tea, and Emma, settling at the table, began:
I was so young when Lucy was born. My parents were strict and made me give her up. My fiancé disappeared as soon as he learnt I was pregnant, and my parents threatened to throw me out with the baby. I signed the papers in the hospital Ive lived with that regret for years Sorry, thats not important now Lucy was desperate for you to come see her in hospital.
Mary jumped up.
Why didnt she ring me?
They took her phoneit was stolen, really. Her bag was left on the bench when the ambulance cameinside were her documents, too. When I returned, the bag was gone
Oh, poor girl, Mary whispered.
She gave me your address herselfsaid, find my mum.
The women sat silently, their eyes meeting, with no hostility but only worry and exhaustion.
Lets go, said Mary, locking the door behind her. Quickly, lets go.
The old bus seemed to crawl along slowly, and for a while Mary and Emma sat in silence, but gradually they began to talk.
Im alone too, sighed Emma. My husband died three years ago after a long illness. We were together for years, but I never managed to have another child. I know, its my punishment for what I didgiving up my daughter. Yes, I deserve it
So, besides Lucy, we have nobody else, Mary said quietly.
Thats true We share one daughter, Emma replied sadly.
At the hospital they were asked:
Who are you visiting?
Our daughter, Lucy Turner, they answered together.
And who are you to her?
Were her mothers, they replied in chorus, then glanced at each other and laughed.
Two mothers? Well, alright, go ahead
Lucy lay pale in bed, hooked up to a drip. Seeing them, she smiled brightly.
Mum and Mum she whispered.
Mary kissed her first.
Shh, darling, Im here, and Emma settled next to her.
Itll be alright, darling, youre not alone, Emma said, adjusting the blanket.
They sat with Lucy for a long time, talking about many things.
Since then, Lucy has had two mothers. Later, she found herself a husband and had two sons. Mary and Emma share one daughter between them. Occasionally, they all meet together.
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