My fathers wife became my second mum
My mum passed away when I was only eight years old. Dad started drinking heavily, and there were many days when we barely had anything to eat at home. I ended up begging for lunch at school, my marks slipped, my clothes were always worn and tatty, and soon the teachers noticed.
Social services visited our flat several times, and soon my dad was given strict conditionsif he didnt straighten up, he could lose custody of me. Thankfully, Dad sobered up. He stopped drinking, and after that, the check-ins from social workers went without trouble.
A while later, Dad told me he wanted me to meet a lady he liked. We went round to Aunt Marys house. I was uneasy about meeting herthe memory of Mum was still terribly raw, and I wasnt too pleased about Dad seeing anyone else so soon.
But as soon as Aunt Mary and I started talking, I could feel the warmth of her heart. I grew close with her son, who was just a year older than me. We started going to athletics club together. Dad was so happy that Id taken a liking to his new partner. After a month, we moved into Aunt Marys house, and our old flat was let out for some extra income.
Dad never got a chance to marry Aunt Maryhe was killed by a drunk driver. Officially, I was nothing to Aunt Mary, so the council took me to a childrens home. Before I left, Aunt Mary promised shed get me back as soon as she could.
She kept her word, and only two months later, I was home with her again. Those two months were more than enough for me to experience the harsh reality of a childrens home. I will always be grateful to Aunt Mary for never turning her back on me, for being a real second mum. Shes a wonderful woman, and her son has become my true brother.
Now were both grown up with families of our own, but Mum Mary remains the closest person in both our lives. Twice a mother-in-law, shes never argued with her new childrennot once have we called her mother-in-law. Both my husband and my brothers wife lovingly call her Mum Mary, for her kindness and understanding. Every time she hears someone call her that, a genuine joy lights up Marys eyes.
