Oh no, its not my son. Hes my neighbours, Kates, lad. Your husband used to pop round hers quite a lot, and well, you know how it goes. The boy looks just like himsame fiery red hair, covered in freckles, no need for a DNA test. And what exactly do you want from me? My husbands just passed away. Ive no clue who he was keeping company with. Well, Kates gone too now.
Tanya was weeding the garden when she heard someone calling from the gate. She wiped the sweat from her brow and went over. There was a woman she didnt recognise standing outside.
Tanya, hello! Can we have a chat?
Hello. Come in, then, since youre here
Tanya invited the woman in and put the kettle on. She was curious: what on earth did this stranger want?
Im Nina. We havent met properly, but Ive heard a bit about you from around here Ill get straight to the point, no sense beating about the bush. Your late husband has a son, Mikey. Hes three.
Tanya looked her up and down in surpriseNina seemed far too old to be the boys mum.
No, hes not my son. Hes my neighbour Kates. Your husband used to pop over all the time, so she ended up with his baby. Hes the spitting image of his dadred hair, freckles and all. Dont need any tests to see that.
And what, exactly, do you want from me? My husbands only recently passed. Ive no idea what he got up to
Well, Kates died as well now Got pneumonia, let it get the better of her. And now the little ones all alone.
Kate had no family left, she was a newcomer really, just worked in the village shop
Poor lad, looks like the only place for him is the orphanage
Look, Ive got children of my own, two daughters, and they were both born in wedlock, Ill have you know. Are you seriously suggesting I take in this child? Youve got a cheek, coming to a wife and telling her to take on a lovechild
But hes your girls half-brother, isnt he? Hes not a stranger, not really. Hes a good little thing too, kind and gentle Hes at the hospital now, theyre sorting out the social services paperwork
Oh, dont try and guilt-trip me. Heaven knows how many children my husbands left behind, and Im meant to raise them all?
Well, its your decision I just thought you should know.
Nina left. Tanya poured herself a mug of tea and sat down, deep in thought
***
Shed met George right after finishing college. She and her girlfriends were out celebrating, when some blokes came over for a chat.
George had really stood out with his wild red hair and freckles splattered across his face.
He was funny, cheeky, spouted poems, told jokes. Offered to walk her home that night.
Not long after, they were married.
They moved in with her nan, who eventually passed and left them the house. Their daughter, Valerie, came along, then two years later, Helen. Money was always tight.
And then, George started drinking. No matter how much Tanya fought it, it never did any good. Hed disappear for days. Lost his job, of course, so Tanya worked two.
She eventually decided to get a divorce.
She thought shed take the girls to the city, her aunt had always said she could stay, shed find a job theyd manage.
But then George, drunk, got himself hit by a car. He didnt make it.
Poor fool, Tanya cried over his coffin. The girls cried tooit was their dad, after all.
And now it turns out, hed fathered a child outside their marriage
Just then the eldest, Valerie, walked intall and slim like her mum, with her dads red hair.
Mum, whats there to eat? Im heading into town with the girls, but Im starving! And why are you looking so down?
Oh, just digesting some news. Someones been to tell me your father had a son elsewhere, hes three now. His mothers gone as well, and they want to put the boy into care. Someone even suggested we take him in
Blimey thats a turn up. Whos his mother? Do you know her?
No. Shes not from round here. Her names Catherine, surname I dont know
So what are you thinking? Wheres the boy now? No family left at all?
Seems not. Hes at the hospital, theyre sorting out his paperwork Apparently, hes a redhead too, just like his dad Help yourself to some boiled potatoes and sausages.
Valerie helped herself eagerly. Helen came in and joined her. Tanya looked at her girls and smiled. Both flaming redheads, just like George Its funny how strong those genes are.
Next day, Valerie pipes up:
Mum, me and Helen went to the hospital. To see our brother. Hes funnya chubby little thing. And so much like usginger as the sun He was crying, wanted his mummy
We brought him some apples and an orange. He stood up in his cot, arms reaching out… The nurse let us play with him for a bit. Mum cant we take him in? Hes our brother
Tanya was annoyed at her daughter.
Oh, come on now! Your father was off messing about and Im the one meant to deal with all the fallout? Ive enough on my plate as it is Easy for you to saytake him in
Some families take in children from nowhere, let alone one whos our flesh and blood Its not his fault it happened this way. Havent you always said, Children shouldnt have to pay for what their parents did?
And where do you think Im going to find room for another mouth to feed? Im already run off my feet, selling veg from the garden, making ends meet however I can, and now you want me to take him on as well?
Youve got uni coming up, thats going to cost, and Helens growing upalways needs something.
But if you take guardianship, they say you can get some help from the council Mum, youre a mum doesnt it break your heart? Dad did wrong, sure, but hes our brother
Tanya was angry with both her late husband and her daughter. Easy for the younger one to suggest saddling her with someone elses child
But she made up her mind to go and see the boy for herself. The very next day she headed to the hospital.
Good afternoon. Can you tell me where the little boy Michael is, three years old, theyre getting ready to send him to foster care? she asked the nurse on duty.
And who are you? What do you want?
I just want to see him. Hes my husbands child. With someone else It just happened
Have a look then, what harm. Your daughters were here yesterday, played with himstrictly speaking, they shouldnt have, but I let them Poor lad cried after, kept calling for his mum
Ill only be a minute, not even pick him up
Alright then, go on
Tanya opened the door and froze. A tiny George, a perfect copy
Red curls, blue eyes. Such a handsome little lad. He sat in his cot playing with building blocks. He saw her and smiled wide.
Auntie Wheres my mummy, my mum?
Mummys not here, Michael
I want to go home
And he burst into tears. Tanyas heart ached. She went to the cot and picked him up.
You realise youll go and hell be screaming the place down, dont you? What are you doing? Put him back, please! scolded the nurse.
Mikey, dont cry, sweetheart
Tanya stroked his head and wiped his tears.
Take me home with you Im hungry, and theres no one to cuddle with here
Alright, Michael I promise Ill come back for you. Please dont cry, okay?
Tanya walked home sure now that she had to take him in. All her anger faded away the moment she saw that lost, scared little boy. He looked so much like her girls
***
Fifteen years slid by.
Now Michael was off to the city for college. Her boy all grown upimpossible how the years fly.
Remember to call, love, and visit often Oh, I worry so, its all a bit gloomy nowadays
Mum, itll be fine! I promise, I wont let you down. These two yearsll fly byonce I finish my diploma at college, Ill get working.
Alex Simmonds says his uncle pays well at the garage, and Im good with motors, you know itsoon as Ive got my mechanics certificate, Ill be set.
My clever lad, Tanya ran her hand through his wild red curls.
***
Lifes a bit like a winding path through the woodstakes you places youd never expect.
Tanya had thought life was piling on yet more trials, more pain for her to bear after her husbands betrayal.
Turns out, among the sharp brambles of that hurt was a tiny seedlinga little boy, blameless, whose only fault was in being born.
Sometimes, your heart sees what your eyes overlook.
It saw in Michael not just someone elses blood, but a lonely soul aching for a bit of warmth.
It heard not a strangers child crying, but a whisper: Mum.
And Tanya, against all her doubts and fears, held out her hands.
The years proved that kindness isnt a burdenits a gift. Michael didnt become just another mouthhe was the one who carried water for the garden while Tanya weeded.
He was the one cheering his sisters up on hard days. The one who, as he grew up, would say, Thanks, Mum, and in those words, was a whole universe.
