You are not alone, dear…
— Thompson, do you want to bring your child for feeding?
— No, I’ve told you already. I’ll be writing a refusal. The nurse shook her head and walked out. Zoe turned to the wall and began to cry. The other mothers in the room exchanged glances and continued to feed their babies.
Zoe had been admitted in the night with contractions and gave birth quickly. A boy, 7 lbs. 11 oz. Healthy and beautiful. But as the new mother looked at him, she started crying, only not with joy.
— Everything’s alright, why the tears? You’ve got a good lad there, strong and healthy. Were you hoping for a daughter? Don’t worry, you can try for a girl next time.
— I’m going to leave him. I won’t take him home…
— What now? Why’s that? Listen, don’t act rashly, you’ve got time to think it over. It’s your baby, surely you feel something?
Her roommate, Darlene, was sitting with her husband in the visitors’ corridor, telling a story about how their daughter adorably scrunches up her nose, and they laughed heartily. A woman came by with a bag and asked to call for Zoe.
Darlene went to the room and brought Zoe out.
— How are you, sweetheart? How’s your little one? Have you thought of a name yet?
— He doesn’t have a name… His new parents can choose one. I’m leaving him, Mum… We’re alone in this world, nobody wants us…
Zoe covered her face with her hands, shaking with sobs. Darlene felt awkward witnessing this, so she quickly said her goodbyes and left with her husband.
— You’re not alone, sweetheart, you’ve got me. As for that Roger, nothing to say about him. His lover told him the child wasn’t his, that you were unfaithful. That’s why he lost his calm. He’ll come to his senses. I brought you something so you’ll have good milk for feeding. Why not call your son David?
Zoe went back into the room and shoved the bag in the bedside drawer. In the corridor, a baby was crying loudly, piercingly. Zoe stepped out.
— That’s not my baby screaming, is it?
— Yes, it is…
— Let me feed him…
The nurse jumped up and brought her baby. His cries were so shrill, and his little face was red with the effort.
— Oh, shush now. Mommy’s going to feed you.
Zoe clumsily tried to nurse the crying baby. Darlene came over to help her. The baby settled, the feeding began. Zoe’s face softened into a smile; her little one was adorable, all nose and effort.
Now, they brought little David to his mum for every feed. Zoe loved examining his button nose and frowning little brows.
— Zoe, was your mum here to see you? Such a lovely woman.
— No, that was my mother-in-law. My mum died when I was young. Dad took to drinking, so my aunt raised me. Later I got married and moved in with my husband. Everything was fine until he found another…
He left me for her and didn’t want to know me. The shock had barely sunk in when my contractions started…
— So, where will you go with the baby now?
— Mother-in-law asked us to live with her. She’s alone, no husband, her only son ran off… She’s kind, always treated me well.
— Well, go to her then. She’ll love minding the grandson. And your husband might still come back to you…
Zoe followed the advice. Ann took care of everything and doted on her grandson.
When David turned one month old, his father showed up. Zoe was out shopping at the time.
— Mum, I’m leaving with Cathy for the north. Got a job offer there. Just came to say goodbye… and maybe borrow some money if you have any to spare…
— And why should I lend you any? You abandoned your pregnant wife, she nearly left the baby in the hospital out of despair. Shame on you… If your father were alive, he’d have sorted you out proper. I’m not giving you money. I have a grandson to raise, he matters more, and you can earn your own.
David wailed from the next room, and Ann rushed to his side.
— Won’t you even take a look at your son? He’s the spitting image of you.
— He’s not my son… Zoe had him with someone else, why would I bother with someone else’s kid?
— You’re a fool, Roger. Go on, live your senseless life.
Ann retired, and Zoe took on her job, David started nursery, and the three of them lived joyfully.
— Ann, isn’t she going to leave soon? It’s strange for a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to live together while the son’s been kicked out.
— Zoe’s worth more to me than that idiot son, and my grandson is my whole world. I live for them, Vera. You should watch that gossiping tongue of yours.
Vera shook her head and went about her business. She truly couldn’t understand Ann’s actions; she would’ve done things differently. Her son was always her focus, despite his flaws.
Ann noticed that Zoe was starting to make an effort with her appearance and would go out in the evenings.
— Zoe, who is it then?
— Who do you mean, Mum?
— The one you’re meeting. Share with me, dear, I’m curious.
— Oh, we’re just seeing each other… He’s in the military, visiting relatives, we met by chance.
— And does he know about David?
— Yes, of course…
— Well, introduce him to me, no point hiding him away. If he’s a good person, then so be it…
Zoe’s acquaintance, Alex, came over with a basket of berries and a pie his aunt baked. He gave David a toy car and a football as gifts.
The evening was delightful, Alex shared funny stories, Zoe laughed heartily, and Ann K. laughed until she cried.
After escorting Alex out, Zoe immediately asked:
— So what do you think? Is he a good man, in your opinion, Mum?
— He’s good, dear… Respectful, interesting, well-mannered. Most importantly, he loves you. Don’t miss your chance for happiness!
A month later, Alex came to ask Ann for Zoe’s hand in marriage.
— Rest assured, I’ll never hurt Zoe or little David. We’re moving to York, I have a large house there. We love one another, and I see David as my son. Bless us, please.
Ann K. saw Zoe off with Alex and David. They’d left for the city, promised to write and visit. And here she was, alone without them.
A year later, Roger arrived, unkempt and unwashed.
— Lord, what’s happened to you, Roger? Doesn’t Cathy do the washing?
— Ah… Cathy’s gone. Ran off with someone who had money… We drank what we had, nothing’s left. I remembered I had a mother, and a home…
— You remembered just in time, not a word all these years, not knowing if I was alive…
— Cathy told me then, she lied so I’d leave, and I believed… I’d like to meet my son… Where is he anyway?
— You missed out on your chance. Zoe married a fine man and is happy. David was registered as his, so you have no son. I’m packing up to go to them. Zoe’s had a daughter, and I want to help, spend time with my granddaughter. As for you, live here and take care of the house, understood?
Ann K. was sitting on the train, pondering how life sometimes unfolds in mysterious ways. What a blessing it is to be needed, to have someone to support and care for, just as she had once supported Zoe. Without her help back then, who knows how their lives would have turned out…
