Theres a mother and theres a daughter, and the daughter turns out to be my friend Emmas little girl.
A holiday in Spain ends with Emma getting pregnant, and later she gives birth to a daughter she names Katie. Shes a rosycheeked girl with dark eyes.
Emma works, Katie stays with her, but in the evenings Emma slips out to unwind from the daily grind. Sometimes she brings someone home. I know about it, but I never pry into her affairs.
When Katie turns five, Emma tells me shes moving in with a man who still doesnt know about the baby. She asks that Katie stay with me.
I have to quit my job and live on a meagre state pension. Emma sends a few pounds now and then.
Katie misses her mum terribly. She stares out the window, flinches at every creak in the hallway.
Emmas visits become rarer; she transfers money to my bank card instead.
One evening she decides to see Katie. She buys some sweets and shows up just as Katie, fresh from a bath, sits in her pajamas watching Sleepytime Kids on the telly.
Hearing her mothers voice, Katie jumps off the sofa, rushes to Emma, and wraps her little arms around her neck.
Mum, Ive missed you so much! I love you, she squeals.
I love you too, love, but ease up on my neck, Emma says, trying to pull away. Katie clutches even tighter, and Emma can barely free her tiny hands.
Then Katie grabs Emmas legs.
Are you not going to leave? Are you staying with me forever?
Hold on a bit longer, Katie, Ill be back soon. Ive got to go now, Emma replies, heading for the door.
I sit in the kitchen, tears streaming down my cheeks. Emma rummages through the firstaid cupboard for some aspirin.
Emma shuts the door with a soft bang. Katie sits on the floor with her hands on her knees, eyes fixed on a point in the distance, not crying but silent.
Mommy doesnt love me, shes gone. Ive got no dad. Everyone else has one, I dont.
My dear, Im here for you, I say, lifting her from the floor.
Katie leans into my shoulder, hugging me.
Grandma, will you tell me the story about the rooster and the fox?
Of course, love. Ill tuck you in and well start right away.
I wave goodbye to Emma, and she meets my eyes with a silent plea.
May God keep you healthy, Grandma, so you can raise this child. Maybe Mum will change her mind yet. Life throws all sorts of curveballs.
I recall a similar tale from back in the day when a woman in a small town got together with a man and hid the fact shed had a baby. A year later, the truth surfaces when she needs medical help. The man, on learning how shed treated his child, walks out, saying a mother like that isnt fit for his future kids.
Still, I cling to hope for better days.
