Emily was staring out the kitchen window at that typical English summer rain a steady drizzle with the sun trying to poke through. Shed just gotten home from work and was thinking about what to whip up for dinner while waiting for her daughter, Lucy, to finish her shift.
She found herself musing, When Lucy finally grows up and starts dating, I cant help but feel uneasy about her new boyfriend, Mark. Hes a few years older, looks a bit shifty, never meets my eyes. How on earth do I bring this up without making myself her numberone enemy? Shes genuinely headoverheels, and if I ruin it Ill be the villain. Ive tried dropping hints that Mark isnt right for her, but she brushes them off. If only I knew the proper way to handle this.
Emily had raised Lucy on her own, never having married. It just turned out that way. Back when Emily was a thirdyear student at university in Manchester, shed been dating Tom, another student. He never finished his degree the university expelled him at the end of his third year. Emily was relieved, thinking it meant she might be pregnant, and she decided to tell him.
Dont make me guess this is my baby, Tom snapped. I dont want kids, and Ive got no idea what youre talking about. And with that, he vanished.
Emily was left reeling, barely having time to explain that no one else had ever been in her life. Tom never even looked her way at university; he was already flitting between other girls. Soon enough, the university sent him packing.
One evening, Lucys grandmother, Margaret, popped in to see why Emily was crying in the hallway.
Somethings happened, Mum? Margaret asked, eyes sharp.
Tom dumped me and Im pregnant, Emily blurted out.
What? I told you a dozen times to think with your head! Youre only in your final year you need to finish university, not start raising a child. A baby will ruin everything for you, and I wont be there to help. Youre on your own. Margarets voice was icecold, and the sting of that look hurt Emily more than any words could.
Knowing there was no help coming from home, Emily headed to the GP the next day. The waiting room was empty except for a young mother cradling a sixyearold with freckles, Emma. As the door opened and the next patient shuffled in, Emmas mum whispered, Hold on a sec, love, Ill be right back.
The girl perched beside Emily, eyes wandering over the colourful posters on the walls, then fixing on Emily. Their gazes met and the little girl flashed a bright grin.
Auntie, why do you look sad? Are you sick? she asked.
No, just somethings off, Emily replied, not wanting to burden the child.
Do you have kids? the girl asked.
No Emily said.
Too bad. My mum says kids are happiness. Im her happiness, the girl giggled. Even when I get in trouble, she scolds me but still says Im her joy. She always tells me to smile and never cry. Yesterday Jack pulled my braid and I started bawling, but Mum told me to grin. I did, and Jack even gave me a sweet. Now were friends again.
Emily laughed. The pure honesty of a child can crack open a frozen heart. She felt something shift inside her.
What am I doing here? she thought. Even if Tom walked out and even if my own mother refuses to help, I wont give up on this.
The mother of the little girl emerged, and they shared a warm smile, handinhand. The scene was so comforting that Emily practically leapt up and fled the clinic. She found herself winding her way to Gran Elsies cottage her fathers mother. Though Gran Elsie and Emilys mother Margaret hadnt spoken since the divorce, Emily still visited. Gran Elsie adored her granddaughter.
Have a baby, love. If Mums against it, Ill help you. You can even stay with me. Youll manage, Ill be there for everything. Dont let guilt get you down; youll thank me later, Gran Elsie said, patting Emilys head.
Emily snapped out of her reverie, whispering aloud, Gran was right. Lucy is my happiness, my life, my everything. I cant imagine living without her.
A key turned in the front door and Lucy walked in, eyes red from crying. She stared at the hallway, stunned.
Darling, whats happened? Sit down and tell me, Emily said, pulling Lucy onto a kitchen chair.
Mark? Lucy sniffed.
Yes, Emily prompted.
Hes married, Lucy sobbed, her voice breaking again. His wife lives in Bristol. I found out when she showed up at his flat, grabbed his phone, read our messages, and saw my number saved. She realized I was there.
Emily felt oddly relieved rather than heartbroken. Shed always sensed something off about Mark.
Hes a liar, thats what he is, Emily said gently. Youll find someone proper, Im sure.
Lucy wiped her eyes. I told his wife Id stay away. I blocked him and put him on my blacklist.
Good on you, love. Emily replied, proud.
Mom, theres more, Lucy hiccuped. Im pregnant too. She whispered, cheeks flushed.
How far along? Emily asked as calmly as she could.
About two months, Lucy managed, eyes dropping to the table.
The words hit Emily like a punch to the gut. Everything shed feared and hoped for swirled together. She reached out, squeezing Lucys hand. Well get through this, love. Ill help you, well raise this child together. Youre not alone.
Months later, Emily stood in the living room watching Lucy cradling a tiny newborn swaddled in a beige bundle with a soft blue bow. The house was decked out in balloons and flowers, thanks to Gran Elsies touch. A little cot, a stroller, and a pile of rattles were set up. Emily and Lucy beamed at each other, the room humming with pure joy.
Happy people always wear a smile, and thats exactly what they were doing.
