Grace, between us it is finished! declared Michael in a voice as cold as distant stars in this peculiar dream. I want a real family, children. You cannot give me that. I have filed for divorce. You have three days to gather your things. If you leave, give me a sign. I will stay at my mother’s until the apartment is ready for the child and for its mother. Yes, do not be surprised, my new beloved is expecting! Three days, Grace!
Grace remained silent, feeling how the ground dissolved beneath her feet into ethereal mist. What could she answer? Five years they had tried to have a child, but three pregnancies had ended in tragedies. The doctors had assured her she was healthy, but each time something went wrong. Grace lived healthily, and during the pregnancies she was even more careful. The last time, she fainted at work, and the ambulance did not arrive in time…
The door slammed shut behind Michael, and Grace, exhausted, collapsed onto the sofa. She had no strength to pack anything. Where to go? Before the marriage, she had lived with her aunt, but the aunt had died, and the apartment had been sold by her cousin. Return to the village of Willowmere, to her grandmother’s house? Rent something? And the job? The questions swirled like elusive shadows in her mind, but time passed in distorted waves.
In the morning, the door opened, and the mother-in-law, Mrs. Harrington, entered.
Not sleeping? Good that you are not, she said curtly. I came to make sure you do not take anything that does not belong to you.
I do not intend to take your son’s old socks, Grace frowned. Do you want to count my things?
How cheeky you are! And you were so gentle once. It was I who told Michael after the first pregnancy that you would never be able to give birth.
Is that what you came to say? Then be quiet and watch.
Why are you taking the television? the mother-in-law became alarmed.
It is mine, from my aunt, a memory of her.
It will be empty here without it!
That is not my problem. But at least you will have a grandson.
Take only what belongs to you!
The laptop, the coffee maker, and the microwave are gifts from colleagues. The car I bought before the wedding. Your son has his own.
You have everything you need, but you cannot have children!
It is not your business. It seems that is what God wanted.
Do you not regret it? Perhaps you did it all on purpose?
You are speaking nonsense. I cannot even think about it without it hurting.
Grace looked around her things had disappeared as if evaporated in the dream’s haze. The brush, the makeup, the slippers… She had forgotten something important. The presence of the mother-in-law bothered her. She remembered the cat figurine, a memory from her grandmother. Inside was a secret place with earrings and a ring not valuable, but dear to the heart. Michael had considered it a trifle. Had he thrown it away? Grace opened the balcony.
What are you looking for there? echoed the mother-in-law’s voice. Come on, take your things and leave!
She found the cat, everything was intact. Now she could leave.
Here are the keys, goodbye. I hope we do not meet again.
Grace went to the office. She was on medical leave, but she asked for a vacation.
We are with you, said the boss. But it is hard without you. Three weeks enough? Stay in
Grace closed her eyes and felt the gentle squeeze of Paul’s hand, knowing that after so much pain, her new life was just beginning in this surreal dream.Grace, between us it is finished! declared Michael in a voice as cold as distant stars in this peculiar dream. I want a real family, children. You cannot give me that. I have filed for divorce. You have three days to gather your things. If you leave, give me a sign. I will stay at my mother’s until the apartment is ready for the child and for its mother. Yes, do not be surprised, my new beloved is expecting! Three days, Grace!
Grace remained silent, feeling how the ground dissolved beneath her feet into ethereal mist. What could she answer? Five years they had tried to have a child, but three pregnancies had ended in tragedies. The doctors had assured her she was healthy, but each time something went wrong. Grace lived healthily, and during the pregnancies she was even more careful. The last time, she fainted at work, and the ambulance did not arrive in time…
The door slammed shut behind Michael, and Grace, exhausted, collapsed onto the sofa. She had no strength to pack anything. Where to go? Before the marriage, she had lived with her aunt, but the aunt had died, and the apartment had been sold by her cousin. Return to the village of Willowmere, to her grandmother’s house? Rent something? And the job? The questions swirled like elusive shadows in her mind, but time passed in distorted waves.
In the morning, the door opened, and the mother-in-law, Mrs. Harrington, entered.
Not sleeping? Good that you are not, she said curtly. I came to make sure you do not take anything that does not belong to you.
I do not intend to take your son’s old socks, Grace frowned. Do you want to count my things?
How cheeky you are! And you were so gentle once. It was I who told Michael after the first pregnancy that you would never be able to give birth.
Is that what you came to say? Then be quiet and watch.
Why are you taking the television? the mother-in-law became alarmed.
It is mine, from my aunt, a memory of her.
It will be empty here without it!
That is not my problem. But at least you will have a grandson.
Take only what belongs to you!
The laptop, the coffee maker, and the microwave are gifts from colleagues. The car I bought before the wedding. Your son has his own.
You have everything you need, but you cannot have children!
It is not your business. It seems that is what God wanted.
Do you not regret it? Perhaps you did it all on purpose?
You are speaking nonsense. I cannot even think about it without it hurting.
Grace looked around her things had disappeared as if evaporated in the dream’s haze. The brush, the makeup, the slippers… She had forgotten something important. The presence of the mother-in-law bothered her. She remembered the cat figurine, a memory from her grandmother. Inside was a secret place with earrings and a ring not valuable, but dear to the heart. Michael had considered it a trifle. Had he thrown it away? Grace opened the balcony.
What are you looking for there? echoed the mother-in-law’s voice. Come on, take your things and leave!
She found the cat, everything was intact. Now she could leave.
Here are the keys, goodbye. I hope we do not meet again.
Grace went to the office. She was on medical leave, but she asked for a vacation.
We are with you, said the boss. But it is hard without you. Three weeks enough? Stay in
Grace closed her eyes and felt the gentle squeeze of Paul’s hand, knowing that after so much pain, her new life was just beginning in this surreal dream.
