Are you alright, love? Hows the baby boy? By the way, have you picked a name yet?
He hasnt got one. Let his new family choose what they want to call him. Im going to leave him, Mum I must. No one wants us; were all alone in this world.
Sophie, do you want your baby brought in for feeding?
No, thank youIve already said. Ill be signing the release.
The nurse shook her head and slipped out. Sophie turned her face to the wall and burst into tears. The other mothers in the ward exchanged worried glances, then continued to feed their little ones.
Sophie had arrived late in the night and delivered quickly. Her son weighed nearly eight poundshealthy, beautiful. When Sophie caught sight of him, she cried, but it was hardly tears of joy.
Oh, darling, why the tears? Hes a lovely, strong boy. Were you hoping for a girl? Never mind, youll come back for a girl another time.
Im leaving him I cant take him home.
Oh, dont be hasty! Whats brought this on? Hes your baby, lovesurely youll think twice?
Anna, Sophies bedmate, was sitting in the visitors lounge with her husband, describing how their daughter wrinkled her nose in the funniest way. They giggled together. Then a lady with a shopping bag arrived and asked Anna to fetch Sophie.
Anna went back to the ward and brought Sophie into the corridor.
Darling, how are you? Hows your boy? Got a name yet?
He hasnt got a name. His next parents can choose it. Im leaving him, Mum No one cares for us. Were just alone in the whole wide world.
Sophie hid her face in her hands and wept. Anna quickly said her goodbyes and disappeared.
Youre not on your own, pet. Youve got me. And Jamie is a scoundrel, what more can I say? His mistress told him the child wasnt his, said youd been running around. So, he got angry and stormed out. Dont worry, hell come to his senses. I brought you a treathave something proper to eat, helps with your milk. Call your son Jack, wont you?
Back in the ward, Sophie pushed the bag into her nightstand. The corridor echoed with childrens voices. She drifted out into the hall.
Is that my boy?
It is.
Ill try to feed him.
The nurse fetched the baby. He was crying, his face red and scrunched up.
There now, dont cry Mummys here to feed you.
Sophie fumbled to settle her baby, unsure how to hold him. Anna came over to help, and soon the boy quietened, busy eating. Softer now, Sophie found herself smiling. What a funny little thing he was, fussing and sucking so desperately.
From then on, every feeding, Jack was brought to his mother. Sophie loved studying every detailhis button nose, his little frown.
Was that your mum visiting, Sophie? She seemed so nice.
Oh, no, thats my mother-in-law. Lost my mum young, Dad was never around. My aunt raised me. Then I married Jamie and moved into his familys house. It was good, until his affair.
He left for herjust dropped you?
Yes. The news shattered me, and labour started soon after.
So where will you and baby go now?
My mother-in-laws offered for us to live with her. Shes on her ownher husbands long gone, and her only son has run off. Shes always been kind to me.
Well, thats something, love. Shell help, and your fella might come back one day.
Sophie accepted the offer. Margaret, her mother-in-law, doted on her grandson and helped in every way.
A month later, Jamie showed up. Sophie was at the shops.
Mum, Kats and I are off up northgot offered work. Just dropping by to say goodbye, and, well could you spare a bit of cash?
Not a chance. You left your pregnant wife, nearly abandoned your own child. Ive got a grandson now, he needs looking after. Earn your own keep.
Jack started crying, and Margaret rushed to the crib.
Not going to look at your son? Hes the spit of you.
Hes not mineSophie played me, didnt she? Why would I care for someone elses child?
Oh, Jamie, you poor fool. Carry on as you please, but dont expect anything from us.
Margaret eventually retired, and Sophie took her place at work. Jack went off to nursery, and the three of them thrivedhappy and close-knit.
Margaret, are you sure your daughter-in-laws not thinking of leaving yet? Never heard of such a thingliving with your daughter-in-law, not your son!
To me, Sophie is more precious than Jamie, and Jack is my dearest boy. Theyre my life now, Sarah, and youd do well to mind your business.
Sarah the neighbour shook her head and carried on. She could never have put her son second, but perhaps life is different for everyone.
Margaret was quick to notice that Sophie was dressing up and often out in the evenings.
Sophie, whos he then?
Who, Mum?
The one youre sneaking off to see. Come on, love, you can tell me.
Oh, were just going for walks. Hes just visiting family nearby, and we met by accident, thats all.
Does he know about Jack?
Yes, he knows everything.
Well then, bring him by. No need to keep secretsif hes a good man, thats all that matters.
The young mans name was Ben. He brought over a basket of strawberries and a homemade pie from his aunt, as well as a toy car and football for Jack.
The evening was full of laughter, with Ben sharing funny stories. Sophie laughed, and even Margaret laughed so hard her eyes watered. When hed gone, Sophie asked at once:
Well, what do you think? Is he a good man, Mum?
He is, loverespectable, interesting, and well-mannered. Most of all, he loves you. Dont let your chance at happiness slip by.
Within a month, Ben officially asked Margaret for Sophies hand.
Please dont worry, Mrs. Smith. Well be settling in OxfordI have a lovely house there. Ill love them bothJack is like a son to me. Would you give us your blessing?
Margaret watched as Sophie, Ben, and Jack drove off together, off to their new life in the city. They promised to write and visit, but the flat felt so empty now.
A year on, Jamie resurfaced with a small, ragged boy by his side.
Heavens, Jamie, what a state your son is in! Doesnt his mother wash his clothes?
I theres no mum now. She left me for a bloke with money. I squandered what little we had. Nowhere else to go thought maybe Id come home.
You remember me just in time, do you? All these years, you hardly knew if I was alive.
She lied about our son too, just wanted to split up the family. Turns out I believed her. So, where is my boy, Jack?
Youve lost your chance, Jamie. Sophie married a good man, shes happy. Ben adopted Jack; hes his father now. Im off to help Sophie with her new baby girl. Youll have to stay and look after the house.
On the train, Margaret gazed out, thinking of the strange turns of life. But what a blessing it is to be needed, to have someone to help and care for, as she once helped Sophie. Who knows how life would have turned out if she hadnt offered her hand?
In the end, we find the deepest joy not in what we lose, but in those we choose to loveand care for.
