The Choice “Turns out, Feddy is very much married…” sighed Susan, perched on a park bench with a referral slip for the hospital tightly gripped in her pocket. Her flatmates back at the halls envied her when they saw her with that dashing, clean-shaven, blue-eyed dark-haired gent, thinking she’d hit the jackpot with such a charming man. But, as it turns out, there was nothing to envy. Susan shivered, recalling the first and only time she met Feddy’s wife – who’d waited for her outside the factory gates to set the record straight. “Hello there! You must be Susan!” the woman began. “And you are?” Susan asked, startled and tense from the tall, slim woman’s piercing, ashy-blonde gaze. “I’m Olivia – Feddy Myles’ wife.” “What?” “You heard me!” “Another naïve girl,” Olivia said calmly. “How many of you are out there, chasing after someone else’s happiness?” “How dare you?” “Listen,” Olivia said, gently gripping Susan’s elbow. “You should be asking yourself the same question. I, his legal wife, have seen you with my husband – and now you’re acting haughty instead of apologising or feeling any shame… But maybe that’s not in your nature. He’s had more of your lot than I can count on my fingers and toes. Getting involved with a married man is shameless.” “He’s a man, a hunter, you see? For him, you’re just a brief fling. He’ll move on soon enough. Keep away from him. By the way, we have two daughters – I can show you a family photo.” Olivia produced a cherished snap, handing it to the stunned Susan. “Here. Proof of true love. This was us in Brighton just two months ago…” “Well, what do you want from me? Sort things with your husband yourself.” “Don’t worry, I will! He only started at this factory recently and, lo and behold, then you turn up. Walk away, won’t you? Don’t fall for his promises – Feddy isn’t about to get divorced. Don’t waste your time. What’s your age – thirty?” “Twenty-five,” Susan retorted, wounded. “Even more reason. There’s still plenty of time for you to get married and have a family. Leave Feddy be.” Susan listened no longer. She walked away on shaky legs, her dreams suddenly eclipsed by the arrival of her lover’s wife. “Betrayer…” she muttered, choking back her tears – she wouldn’t let the world see her pain, not on the street and not in front of her workmates. That evening, Feddy showed up at Susan’s with flowers as if nothing had happened. She kicked him out, swollen-eyed, unswayed by his vows of everlasting love and talk of an impending divorce, after his wife’s revelation changed everything. For two weeks, Susan was left reeling. Feddy didn’t pester her again and acted as though he’d never met her, averting his gaze whenever they crossed paths. Misery never comes alone… At first, Susan blamed her morning sickness and dizzy spells on nerves, but soon reality struck – her all-consuming, naive affair with Feddy had left consequences. “Six weeks,” sounded like a sentence. Susan couldn’t bear the thought of being a single mum. She was terrified, convinced everyone else knew – and now she faced their silent judgement for trusting a man she barely knew, who’d hidden his family all along. What could she have done? Ask for ID on the first date? He wore no ring. Some married men don’t. She should have been suspicious when he insisted they keep their relationship secret at work, but love blinded her until his betrayal became the talk of the office, especially after Olivia’s visit. “I’m pregnant,” she finally confided to her former lover at lunch, desperation pushing her forward. “I’ll give you money, but deal with it,” he grunted. Next day, Feddy resigned, vanishing from her life forever. Susan knew she couldn’t delay forever. Ignoring the doctor’s warnings, she took the referral for the ‘operation’ and found herself gripping that slip on a park bench, terrified to let go. “In a hurry?” said a young man in a sharp suit, plopping down beside her with an enormous bouquet of burgundy chrysanthemums. “Sorry?” she looked up with hollow eyes. “Your watch is fast,” he said, nodding at the gold watch on her wrist. “Oh, it’s always ten minutes ahead,” she replied wearily, turning away. “I keep resetting it, but it’s hopeless.” “The weather’s wonderful today, isn’t it? Real Indian summer. My mum loves this time of year. She always says she made the right choice on a day like this – and never once regretted it. You know,” the stranger chattered on, “My mum’s truly something – I owe her everything.” “What about your dad?” Susan found herself asking. “She never talks about him, and I’ve learnt not to ask. She’s better off without him, I think…” “I just came from a job interview actually. Imagine, they picked me out of ten applicants for a top position – and I’ve barely any experience! It still feels unreal. My mum’s the one who gave me the confidence I needed. My first paycheque will get her a holiday by the sea – she’s never been.” “Have you?” “No.” Susan studied the candid lad, noting his burgundy tie. “Gift from mum,” he said proudly, stroking it. “Sorry – I’m rambling. But you seemed so sad, I just wanted to share my joy.” Susan shook her head – he didn’t annoy her at all. In fact, he’d stopped her downward spiral, and his love for his mother was touching. “What devotion!” she thought. “His mum’s so lucky… I wish I had a son like him…” “Well, I’d better be off – my mum’s waiting and worrying. Don’t rush, though!” “Pardon?” “I meant your watch,” he grinned. “Oh,” she smiled softly in return. A minute later, he was gone. Susan tore up her referral slip in tiny pieces and lingered on the bench, breathing in the crisp autumn air, warmth and light finally returning to her heart. She wasn’t alone after all. Some women raise and nurture wonderful sons single-handedly. A pity she hadn’t asked the lad’s name – but it didn’t matter any more. She’d made her choice. *** Twenty-three years later… “Mum, I’m going to be late,” Stan said, standing at the mirror as his mother carefully knotted the new burgundy tie she’d bought him for an important interview. “Maybe forget about the tie…” “It gives confidence, trust me. You’ll be amazing, they’ll definitely hire you!” Susan finished neatening his collar and stepped back to admire her grown boy. “I’m nervous – what if…?” “This job’s meant for you. Just answer their questions clearly and don’t forget to smile. You’ll be irresistible.” “Okay, Mum,” Stan kissed her cheek and hurried out the door. Susan watched him go, her heart swelling as her dearest strode off to catch the bus. Suddenly, a shock ran through her – she’d seen this before… That young man in the park, more than twenty years ago… Stan in his business suit looked just like him now… How had she forgotten that day for so many years? But now, the memory pulsed with life again. Was it really fate, giving her a glimpse of the future she’d almost thrown away? Showing her – literally – the child she might have lost, steering her onto the right path? She never did learn his mother’s name, nor asked his name, but now – it didn’t matter. Everything turned out just as it should. That afternoon, Stan came home beaming, with a huge bunch of burgundy chrysanthemums to match his tie, announcing he’d got the job. He promised they’d finally go to the seaside, since his mum had never been. Now it was time for him to take care of her, and he’d move mountains to make her happy. No matter what life threw at them, Susan always found comfort in her son’s embrace. They survived it all, and her brave choice had given her a life she’d never regret. Just as it was meant to be!

Author Emily TaylorReading 9 minViews 3

The Choice

So, turns out Freddies well and truly married sighed Sarah, squeezed onto a park bench and gripping in her pocket the envelope from the clinic.

Her roommates at the university halls had always envied herwalking arm in arm with a tall, clean-shaven, sharp-jawed man with piercing blue eyes. They said she was lucky to have such a gentleman for a beau. In the end, it turned out there was nothing to envy at all.

Sarah shivered, recalling her first and last run-in with Freddies wife. Shed waited for Sarah by the factory gates, intent on setting the record straight.

Well, hello, Sarah, isnt it? began the stranger.

And who are you? stammered Sarah, tensing under the steely gaze of a tall, slender woman with hair dyed a heavy ash-blonde.

Im Olivia. Olivia MorrisonFreddies wife.

What?

You heard me.

Another sweet little thing, Olivia remarked coolly. How many of you are there, really? Seems theres an endless store of schemers after other peoples happiness.

How dare you? Sarah bristled.

Oh, but how dare you? Olivia replied, taking Sarahs elbow in a cold, deliberate grip. Im the wife, you see. I saw you with my husband, and here you are, posturing, rather than apologising or feeling a scrap of shame. But I suppose that sort of things for the decent ones. Not you.

She looked Sarah up and down with a kind of weary scorn. Youre not the first. Wouldnt have enough fingers and toes to count his flings. Getting involved with a married manshameless!

Hes a man. Cant help himselfalways hunting. For him, youre just a passing fancy. Off he goes, and youre left forgotten. Take my advice and give him a wide berth. And by the way, weve two daughters. Want proof? Olivia pulled out a battered family photo, pressing it into Sarahs stunned hand. Thats us in Brighton, just a couple of months back proof of something real and lasting.

Sarah stared, lost for words.

So, what do you want from me? Sort things with your husband yourself! Sarah snapped back, gathering her courage.

Oh, I willdont worry. He only started at the factory a short while ago. Its a decent wage, and nowhere you are, ruining my life. Just leave him be, will you? Dont fall for his promises. He wont divorce menever. Dont waste your life. How old are youthirty?

Twenty-five! Sarahs voice wobbled with hurt.

All the better. Plenty of time to find the right man and start a family. As for Freddieleave him alone.

Sarah listened no more. Her legs heavy as lead, she stumbled away from the woman who had blustered into her world, shattering every last fond hope and dream.

Traitor Sarah muttered, her throat tight with tears she refused to let fallnot in public, not for anyone at work to gossip about later.

That evening, as if nothing had happened, Freddie came to her door with flowers. Puffy-eyed, Sarah showed him out despite his pledges of eternal love and his old refrainhe and his wife were nothing to each other now, it was all over, really.

For two weeks, Sarah tried to recover. Freddie left her alone, even looking away when their paths crossed at the factory.

But trouble never comes alone. Sarah put down her morning sickness and dizziness to nerves, at first. Soon enough she knew: her naive, whirlwind love affair with Freddie had consequences.

Six weeks, the nurse said. It felt like a sentence.

Sarah was terrified of being a single mum. She was sure everyone could tell, everyone was whispering, judging. Shed trusted someone she didnt really know.

Freddie had hidden his marriage all along. What was she meant to do? Ask to see his ID at their first date? Hed worn no ringnot all married men do.

Why hadnt it struck her as odd when he insisted on keeping their relationship quiet at work?

Hed lied, but Sarahs ignorance offered her no comfort. Soon everyone at the factory was whispering about Olivias visit.

Im pregnant, Sarah blurted to Freddie during her lunch break, resignation in her voice.

Ill payjust take care of it, he muttered.

He quit his job the next day, vanishing from her life for good.

Sarah knew she couldnt put it off any longer. She took the referral for the procedure despite the doctors warnings.

Now, she sat on a bench, clutching the crisp piece of paper, terrified to let it go.

In a hurry? said a stranger, collapsing beside hera young man in a business suit, clutching an enormous bouquet of burgundy chrysanthemums.

What? she looked at him through hollow eyes.

Your watch is fast, he nodded at the little gold watch on her wrist.

My watch always runs ten minutes ahead. Ive tried fixing it, but its hopeless, Sarah replied, turning away.

Lovely weather, isnt it? Proper Indian summer. My mum loves days like this. Says on a warm autumn day just like today, she made the right choice in her lifeand shes never regretted it.

The chattering young man, appearing out of nowhere, rambled on.

My mums one in a million, he went on, showing her a thumbs up. I owe her everything.

What about your dad? Sarah asked without thinking.

Mum never talks about him, and I dont ask. Its not a happy memory for her

He brightened suddenly. Ive just come from a job interview! Out of ten applicants, they picked me. Me! And Ive got no experience at allcan hardly believe it Mum made me believe I could do it. And as soon as I get my first paycheck, Ill buy my mum a trip to the seaside. Shes never seen the sea. Have you?

No, Sarah admitted, eyes suddenly fixed on his burgundy tie.

It suited himhe was positively glowing with happiness.

A gift from Mum, he said proudly, smoothing the tie with his hand, noticing her gaze.

Sorry if Im talking your ear off, but I just had to tell someone. You look so sad. Thought maybe you could use a friendly chat. Am I driving you mad?

Sarah shook her head. Strangely, this stranger didnt annoy her; hed stopped the black thoughts swirling in her mind. His love for his mother demanded respect.

What devotion, she mused silently, studying him, His mums a lucky woman. I wish I could have a son like that

Well, Id better be off, he said at last. Mums waiting and gets worried. And heydont rush!

Excuse me?

I meant your watch, he grinned.

Oh. She smiled back at last.

A minute later, hed disappeared from sight. Sarah took her referral, the one shed hardly dared let go of minutes before, and tore it into tiny pieces.

She sat for a long time, almost spellbound, breathing in the golden autumn air.

After that encounter, her heart felt lighter, warmer. She realised she wasnt alone. That woman had raised a wonderful son by herselfpity Sarah hadnt even asked his name, but perhaps that didnt matter.

Her choice was made.

***

Twenty-three years later

Mum, Im running late! Stan shouted from the hallway as his mother fussed over his new burgundy tie, bought for a life-changing job interview.

Maybe skip the tie?

No, its for luck. Trust me, everythingll go fine. Theyll pick you, I know it, Sarah finished straightening the tie, stepping back to admire her son.

Im nervous. What if

This job is yours, darling. Just answer clearly, remember to smile. Youre irresistible.

Alright, Mum, Stan grinned, planting a kiss on her cheek before hurrying out.

Sarah watched him from the window, her only, dearest one striding off for the bus stop.

Suddenly, she shivered, struck by a strange sense of déjà vu. Shed seen this before…

That boy in the park, all those years ago

Stan in his suit looked so much like him.

She realised shed forgotten that strange, fleeting encounteruntil now. Fate must have shown her, all those years ago, the child she almost didnt have, the miracle she almost erased and nudged her down the right path.

Why hadnt she spoken to that boy, asked his mums name? But perhaps, by now, it didnt matter.

Everything had turned out as it should.

That afternoon, Stan returned home clutching a huge bouquet of burgundy chrysanthemums, perfectly matching his tie. I got the job, Mum! he beamed. And I promise, well go to the seaside this year. Youve never been, and its time you saw the sea.

Now it was Stans turn to look after his beloved mum. Hed move heaven and earth for hershe knew that.

Whatever obstacles life threw their way, hugs from her precious boy had made every trouble bearable.

Theyd faced it all, together, and never lost heart.

Sarah never once regretted her decision to keep her child. Shed made the right choice for herself.

And thats exactly as it should be.

The Choice “Turns out Fred really is well and truly married…” sighed Sue, sitting on a park bench and clutching the hospital referral note deep in her pocket. Her flatmates back at the halls envied her when they saw her with her tall, clean-shaven, blue-eyed, dark-haired companion, thinking she’d lucked out with such a charming gent. But there was nothing to envy, really. Sue shuddered, remembering her first and last meeting with Fred’s wife, who had caught her at the factory gates to spell out how things stood. “Well, hello there! You must be Susan?” she began. “And you are?” Sue tensed under the piercing gaze of the tall, slender woman with ash-blonde hair. “I’m Olivia—Fred Mason’s wife.” “What?” “You heard me!” “Yet another naïve girl,” the woman said calmly. “How many of you are out there—never ending, chasing after someone else’s happiness.” “How dare you?” “Listen,” Olivia gingerly took her rival by the elbow, “how dare you? I’m the legal wife. I saw you with my husband, and you’re still acting up, instead of apologising and feeling some proper shame—although, I suppose that’s something only decent people do, which doesn’t seem to be you. “There have been so many like you, I couldn’t count them all on my fingers and toes. “You’ve tangled with a married man—shameless! He’s a man, a hunter, you know? But to him, you’re just a fleeting adventure. He’ll tire of you before you know it. Best keep your distance. “By the way, we have two daughters—I could show you a family photo.” Olivia pulled out a photograph and handed it to a stunned Sue. “There. Proof of real, honest love. Us in Blackpool, just two months ago… “So? Why are you silent?” “What do you want from me? Sort out your husband yourself.” “Oh, I will—don’t worry! He only started at the factory recently, it pays well, and now, you’ve turned up to make things worse. “Let it go, for your own good. Don’t fall for Fred’s promises—he’s got no intention of getting a divorce. Don’t waste your time. How old are you, thirty?” “Twenty-five!” Sue retorted indignantly. “Well, then. You’ve got time to find someone else and start a family. Leave Fred be.” Sue listened no longer—she stumbled away from Olivia, whose sudden arrival had shattered her happy world and erased her hopeful dreams in a heartbeat. “Traitor…” Sue muttered, a lump in her throat, determined not to let her emotions spill out in public. She didn’t want workplace gossip. That evening, Fred turned up as if nothing had happened, flowers in hand. Crying and red-eyed, Sue threw him out, despite his eternal promises and claims he and his wife hadn’t loved each other for years. For two weeks, Sue recovered in silence. Fred left her alone, behaving at work as though she didn’t exist. But as they say, trouble never comes alone. When Sue started feeling sick in the mornings, she told herself it was stress. Soon, though, she realised her naive, passionate romance with Fred had left consequences. “Six weeks,” the doctor said—a sentence rather than a diagnosis. Sue didn’t want to be a single mum. She was frightened. She felt like everyone was judging her, all because she had trusted a man who turned out to be a stranger. Fred had hidden his marriage. What was she supposed to do, ask for his passport when they first met? He’d worn no wedding ring, though not all married men do. Why didn’t she question it when he said to keep their relationship secret at work? He had tricked her—and knowing she’d been deceived offered no comfort. The office now buzzed with gossip about “the wife’s visit”. “I’m pregnant,” Sue managed to tell her former lover one lunchtime, desperate. “I’ll give you the money—just sort it,” he muttered, and the next day Fred quit and vanished for good. Sue knew she couldn’t delay. Despite every warning from her doctor, she took the hospital referral for “the procedure”. And so, she sat on a bench, clutching that note as if it might vanish. “In a hurry?” asked a young man in a business suit, plopping himself down next to Sue, an enormous bunch of crimson chrysanthemums in his arms. “Sorry?” she replied, her eyes hollow. “Your watch is a bit fast,” he pointed––indicating her gold wristwatch. “My watches are always ten minutes ahead… I try to fix them, but it never works,” she replied, turning away. “Lovely weather though, isn’t it? Real Indian summer! My mum loves this time of year—she says she made her best life decision on a warm autumn day like this, and never regretted it. Did you know—” he bubbled on, a happy stranger, “—my mum’s like that!” He flashed a thumbs-up. “I’m so grateful to her.” “And your dad?” Sue asked before thinking. “Mum never told me about him, and I don’t ask. She doesn’t like talking about him.” Then, with a bright smile: “I just came from an interview—can you believe, they chose me from ten candidates! The only one they picked, even though I’ve hardly got any experience. Feels almost unreal… “It was Mum that gave me confidence. “I already know what I’ll do with my first pay packet—send Mum to the seaside. She’s never seen the sea. Have you?” “No,” Sue replied, curiously watching the cheerful, talkative chap, her eyes catching his burgundy tie. “A present from my mum,” he explained, smoothing the tie with pride. “Sorry if I’m going on—I just had to share my happiness, and you looked so sad… I thought maybe you needed someone to talk to. Am I bothering you?” Sue shook her head silently. Strangely, the stranger didn’t annoy her—he’d managed to halt her cycle of grim thoughts. His devotion to his mother was something she deeply respected. “What loyalty!” she thought, watching him intently. “His mum is so lucky… Wish I could have a son like him someday…” “Well, I’d better go. Mum’s waiting and she’ll worry. But don’t rush—” “What was that?” she asked. “I meant your watch,” he smiled. “Oh.” She smiled back. A moment later, he’d vanished, and Sue, finally releasing her grip on the crumpled hospital note, tore it into tiny pieces. She sat for a long while, breathing in the autumn air, feeling unexpectedly warm and light. She was not alone. Some women raise wonderful sons on their own. Pity she hadn’t asked his name… but perhaps that didn’t matter. The choice was made. *** Twenty-three years later… “Mum, I’m running late!” Stas called from the mirror. Mum was carefully tying his new burgundy tie—for his own big job interview. “You could just go without, you know.” “It’s for confidence, Mum! Trust me, everything’ll be fine. They’ll take me for sure… That’s it!” Susan finished the tie and stepped back to admire her son. “I’m nervous, what if…” “It’s your job, I can feel it. Just answer clearly, remember to smile. You look fantastic.” “Thanks, Mum.” Stas kissed her cheek and hurried out. Susan watched her only son enthusiastically stride towards the bus stop. Suddenly, she froze, jolted as if by electricity… She’d seen this all before. That lad in the park, more than twenty years ago… Her Stas, suited up, looked just like him. How could she have forgotten that day for so long? Now it all came alive in her memory. Was it fate, she wondered, letting her see with her own eyes whom she almost let go—(such a horrible word)—giving her the chance to make the right choice, guiding her down the right path? Why hadn’t she asked his name, since they were about the same age, or his mother’s name? But now, maybe that didn’t matter. Everything turned out wonderfully. After lunch, Stas came home with an armful of burgundy chrysanthemums—the shade of his tie—and told Susan he’d got the job. He promised they’d finally go to the seaside together. She’d never seen the sea, after all. Now it was time for him to look after the mum he loved more than anything. He would move mountains, turn rivers for her—such was Susan’s son. Whatever life had thrown at them, Susan had never, ever regretted having him. She had made the right choice. And so it was meant to be.