You’re Not Alone, My Dear…
“Bradford, should I bring the baby to you for feeding?”
“No, I’ve told you already. I’m going to write up a waiver.”
The nurse shook her head and left. Lily turned towards the wall and began to cry. The other mothers in the ward exchanged glances and continued nursing their babies.
Lily had been admitted in the night with contractions and delivered quickly. A boy, weighing eight pounds. Healthy and handsome. On seeing him, the new mother cried, but her tears didn’t seem joyful.
“You’re okay, so why the tears? He’s a cheerful chap, a sturdy little fella. You were hoping for a girl, weren’t you? Don’t worry, you can try for a girl next time.”
“I’m leaving him. I won’t be taking him home…”
“Well, that’s a turn-up for the books… But why? You’ve really got to think this through; he’s your child after all, how can you not feel anything for him?”
Emma, Lily’s roommate, sat on a bench in the visitors’ corridor with her husband. She was telling him how cutely their daughter twitched her nose, and they laughed heartily. A woman came in with a bag and asked for Lily. Emma went to the ward to bring her.
“Sweetheart, how are you? And the baby? By the way, have you thought of a name yet?”
“He hasn’t got a name… Let his new parents call him whatever they like. I’m leaving him, Mum… We’re all alone in this world, no one cares for us…”
Lily covered her face with her hands, shaking with sobs. Emma felt awkward witnessing such a scene and quickly bid farewell to her husband and left.
“You’re not alone, sweetheart, you’ve got me. And Robert’s a scoundrel, what can I say? His mistress got in his head, convinced him the child wasn’t his, that you were unfaithful, and he went mad. He’ll come to his senses and return. Here, I’ve brought you something to eat, to keep your milk rich. Name your son Johnny.”
Lily put the bag into the cupboard, listening to the shrill cries of a baby from the corridor. She stepped out.
“That’s not my baby crying, is it?”
“It is…”
“Let me feed him…”
The nurse hurried over with the baby. He screamed desperately, his little face red from the effort.
“Shh, don’t cry so. Your mummy’s here to feed you.”
Lily awkwardly tried to position the noisy baby to breastfeed. Emma approached and helped her. The baby quieted, the process underway. Lily’s face broke into a smile, amazed at how adorable the little rascal was, puffing and trying so hard.
From then on, Johnny was brought to his mother for every feeding. Lily enjoyed watching his button nose and furrowed eyebrows.
“Lily, was that your mum who came to see you? A lovely woman.”
“No, it’s my mother-in-law. Mum passed away when I was little, and Dad drank himself into oblivion; my aunt raised me. I got married and moved in with my husband. We were happy until he started seeing someone else. He left, wanted nothing to do with me. I was beside myself with the news when the contractions began…”
“So, what are you going to do with the baby now?”
“My mother-in-law suggests staying with her. She’s alone; her husband’s gone, and her only son’s run off… She’s kind and always treated me well.”
“Then stay with her. She can help with her grandson, and your husband will come to his senses.”
Lily decided to do just that. Anna Chapman helped with everything and adored her grandson.
A month later, Johnny’s father reappeared. Lily wasn’t home; she’d gone to the store.
“Mum, I’m moving up north with Katie, got a job offer there. Just came by to say goodbye… and maybe borrow some money, if you don’t mind…”
“I do mind. You left your wife at the hardest time, she nearly left your child in the hospital out of despair. Shame on you… And your father’s not here to give you a proper talking-to. I won’t give you any money. I’ve got a grandson to raise, he needs it more, and you’ll earn your own.”
Just then, Johnny cried out, and Anna dashed to the crib.
“What, you won’t even look at your son? He’s the spitting image of you.”
“He’s not my son… Lily fooled around, he’s not mine.”
“Well, you idiot. Off you go, carry on without a brain.”
Anna Chapman retired, and Lily took up the job. Johnny started nursery, and the three lived happily together.
“Anna, isn’t your daughter-in-law planning to leave? It’s unheard of for a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to live together with the son gone.”
“Lily’s more precious to me than my dopey son, and my grandson’s my pride. I live for them, Vera. You should watch your sharp tongue…”
Neighbor Vera shook her head and went on her way. She couldn’t understand Anna’s behavior; her son was always her priority, even though he was a drunk, but she figured it was fate.
Anna Chapman noticed Lily started sprucing up more often and heading out in the evenings.
“So, Lily, what’s his name?”
“Who’s, Mum?”
“The one you’re seeing. Tell me, darling, I’m curious.”
“Well, we’re just friends… He’s a military man, visiting family, we met by chance.”
“And does he know about Johnny?”
“Of course, he knows everything…”
“Well, bring him by for a visit, no sense hiding him from me. If he’s a good man, then so be it…”
Alex, her friend, brought a basket of berries and a pie his aunt had baked. He gave Johnny a toy car and a football.
The evening was delightful, with Alex sharing funny stories that had Lily in stitches, and even Anna Chapman laughed till she cried.
After he left, Lily eagerly asked,
“So, what do you think of him? A good man, don’t you think, Mum?”
“He’s a good one, dear… Respectful, interesting, well-mannered. And most importantly, he loves you. Don’t let happiness slip through your fingers!”
A month later, Alex came to ask Anna Chapman for Lily’s hand in marriage.
“Rest assured, ma’am, I’ll never harm Lily or Johnny. We’ll live in Norfolk, I have a large house there. We love each other, and Johnny is like a son to me. Will you bless us?”
Anna Chapman saw Lily off with Alex and Johnny. They moved to the city, promising to write and visit… How would she cope without them now?
A year later, Robert reappeared. Dirty and unkempt.
“Goodness, look at you, Robert. Isn’t Katie doing your laundry?”
“Nah… There’s no more Katie. She left for some wealthy bloke… We drank all we had. Nothing left… So I thought of you, Mum, and this house…”
“Took your time remembering about me, didn’t you? All these years, not a word if I was alive…”
“And she confessed she lied to take me away from Lily, and I believed… So now I want to meet my son… Where is he, anyway?”
“You’ve missed your chance. Lily’s remarried a decent man and is happy. Johnny’s been adopted by him, so you’ve no son. I’m packing up to join them. Lily’s had a girl, and I want to help and care for my granddaughter. You can stay here and look after the house, got it?”
Anna Chapman sat on the train, pondering how life can surprise you. What a joy it is to be needed, to have people to help and support, just like she once supported Lily. Without her help, who knows how things would have turned out for all of them…
