You are not alone, my dear…
“Thompson, should you bring your baby for feeding?”
“No, I’ve already mentioned. I’ll be writing a refusal.” The nurse shook her head and left. Zoe turned to the wall and started to cry. The nursing mothers in the room exchanged glances and continued feeding their babies.
Zoe arrived at night with contractions and gave birth quickly. A boy, 7 pounds 11 ounces. Healthy and handsome. She glanced at him and began to weep, but not with joy.
“Everything’s fine, why the tears? He’s a strong little lad. You wanted a girl, didn’t you? Don’t worry, you’ll come back for a daughter later.”
“I’m leaving him. I won’t take him…”
“Well, that’s a surprise… Why? Don’t be foolish, girl, you have time to think. He’s your child after all, don’t you feel sorry?”
Daisy, Zoe’s roommate, was sitting on a bench with her husband in the visitor’s corridor, sharing stories about how their daughter adorably wiggles her nose, and they laughed heartily. A woman came in with a bag, asking to see Zoe.
Daisy went to the room and brought Zoe out.
“How are you, dear? How’s the little one? Have you thought of a name yet?”
“He doesn’t have a name… Let his new parents decide. I’m leaving him, Mum… We’re just alone in the entire world.”
Zoe covered her face with her hands and shook with sobs. Daisy felt awkward witnessing this scene, said a quick goodbye to her husband, and left.
“You’re not alone, dear, you have me. As for that good-for-nothing William, what can I say? It’s his lover’s doing, telling tales that the child isn’t his, that you strayed, and he believed her. He’ll come around. I brought you something, eat up so the milk is nourishing. Name the boy Jack.”
Zoe returned to the room and stuffed the bag into the bedside cupboard. The corridor was filled with the piercing cries of a child. Zoe stepped out.
“Is that my baby crying so intensely?”
“Yes, it’s yours…”
“Let me feed him…”
The nurse hurried to get the baby. He was wailing, his little face flushed red with effort.
“There, don’t cry so. Mummy’s going to feed you now.”
Zoe awkwardly tried to position the screaming baby to her breast. Daisy stepped in to help her. The baby quieted, and began to feed. Zoe’s face broke into a smile; he was such an adorable little chap, all huffing and puffing.
From then on, they brought Jack to his mum for every feeding. Zoe delighted in studying his little button nose, his furrowed brows.
“Zoe, was that really your mum who visited? She seemed lovely.”
“No, that’s my mother-in-law. My mum passed when I was very young, and my dad drowned his sorrows, so my aunt brought me up. I got married and moved in with my husband. Life was good until he found someone else.”
“He left for her and wants nothing to do with me. I was barely myself upon hearing the news when labour started… Where will you go now with your child?”
“My mother-in-law says I should live with her. She’s alone now, no husband, only one son—who’s up and left… She’s always been kind to me.”
“Then live with her; she’d love to babysit her grandchild. Your husband might come to his senses and return.”
Zoe did just that. Mrs. Anne was all too happy to help and adored little Jack. When Jack was a month old, his father showed up. Zoe was out grocery shopping.
“Mum, I’m leaving for up North with Kate; I’ve been offered a job there. Just dropped in to say goodbye and, well… I need some money if you can spare any…”
“No way. You left your pregnant wife, you scoundrel, and she nearly left the baby in the hospital out of despair. Well, I’ve no handle on you; if your father were here, he’d have given you a session. I’m not giving you money. I have a grandson to look after, and he needs it more. You’ll earn.”
At that moment, baby Jack wailed from his cot, and Anne rushed to him.
“What, don’t you even want to look at your son? He’s just like you.”
“He’s not my son… Zoe caused me all this trouble, why should I care for someone else’s child?”
“You’re such a fool, William. Go on, live your life without a clue.”
Anne retired, and in her few roles, Zoe took a job. Jack started nursery, and they lived happily together, a cheerful trio.
“Anne, why doesn’t your daughter-in-law want to move out? Where does it happen that a mother-in-law lives with her daughter-in-law while having driven out her own son?”
“I value Zoe more than my foolish son, and my grandson is all the joy. That’s the life I live for, Vera. You better mind your tongue…”
Neighbour Vera shook her head and went on about her errands. She didn’t quite get Anne’s choices; for her, her son was her everything. A drinker, surely, but that’s how destiny is sometimes. Anne saw Zoe start to spruce herself up and go out in the evenings quite often.
“Zoe, who’s the lucky man?”
“The who, Mum?”
“The one you’re seeing… Come on, I’m curious.”
“Oh, we’re just hanging out… He’s a soldier, visiting relatives, we met by chance.”
“And does he know about Jack?”
“Of course, he knows everything…”
“Well, then bring him over. Have no secrets from me. If he’s a good man, let it be…”
The man’s name was Alex, who brought a basket of berries and a pie made by his aunt. He gifted Jack a toy car and a soccer ball.
The evening was filled with laughter as Alex shared funny tales from his life. Zoe’s laughter was infectious, and even Anne laughed her heart out.
After the guest left, Zoe eagerly asked:
“So, what do you think of him? Do you reckon he’s a good chap, Mum?”
“He’s a fine man, dear… Respectful, interesting, well-mannered. Most importantly, he loves you. A worthy suitor – don’t let your happiness slip away!”
Within a month, Alex asked for Zoe’s hand in marriage from Anne.
“Rest assured, I’ll never harm Zoe or Jack. We’ll live in York where I have a big house. We love each other, and Jack is like a son to me. Bless us.”
Anne saw off Zoe, Alex, and Jack. They headed to the city, promised to write, and visit often. Now without them, how will she manage…
A year later, her son William turned up, dirty and unkempt.
“My goodness, William, what have you turned into? Does your Kate not wash clothes or what?”
“Ah… Kate’s long gone. Ran off with some wealthy bloke… We drank away everything; there’s nothing left… Suddenly remembered I’ve got a mum and a home…”
“Good timing with that memory, after all those years not knowing if I’m still around or not…”
“And she admitted to lying about the birth to break up my marriage, and I believed her then… So now, I’m meeting my son… Where is he anyway?”
“You squandered your happiness. Zoe married a decent man and is happy now. Jack’s his declared child, so you’ve no son, really. I’m packing and moving to them. Zoe had a girl, and I want to help with the baby, and be with my granddaughter. You stay here and take care of the house, got it?”
Anne rode the train, reflecting how life can unfold so interestingly. The joy you get from being needed, having someone to help and support, as she did for Zoe back then. Had she not, who knows where they might be today…
