Leave her at the hospital, the relatives kept urging, their voices echoing like a distant choir.
My love, why did you even think of taking her? her husband, Thomas, raged, gesturing at the tiny newborn swaddled in the cot. They told you her condition in plain words!
How can you be so? Do you even realize what youre getting into?
She, Eleanor, tried to think, despite the judgments piled on her like heavy snow. Not only her partner Sam, but every aunt and uncle seemed convinced she was deluding herself. Even her own mother, Nancy, and the grandmother she called Granwho insisted on calling the little girl Lilyshouted:
Why, Ellie? Youll have another child yet! Thats a wound! Take a support frame so you dont stumble, love!
Theyd whispered that the baby wouldnt survive long.
Yes, theyd said that, and theyd suggested leaving the infant in the maternity warda perfectly reasonable offer, they claimed, since not every parent could bear such a shock. If some mothers could abandon healthy babies, surely a sick one was even more
The infant didnt even whimper; her lips were a pale blue, the tips of her fingers a shade of cyan that doctors called peripheral cyanosis. A heart defecta moderate ventricular septal defecthad been diagnosed. She can survive, but itll be hard, the consultant warned.
Eleanor, feeling the weight of maternal authority, decided she would bring the child home. In any matter concerning a child, the final word always rests with the mother, they said.
And so the cascade began.
Thomas, the loving husband, fled almost immediately when it became clear Eleanor would not give up her daughter. He snarled that if she changed her mind, perhaps hed return, and if she still wanted a life with him, shed better hurry. Their love, once fierce, now felt like a brittle twig.
Eleanor didnt blame Thomas; not everyone can sacrifice themselves, and in this case, that sacrifice was demanded. He did turn up later, but without any bouquets or balloonswhats there to celebrate?
Both grandmothers, on either side, declared the same: Leave her at the hospitalthis little one isnt needed in our family.
Do you really think strangers children dont exist? they scoffed.
Eleanor tried to see their perspective, but she faltered; could she at least bring a wilted bouquet? No one stood by the new mother. Only one person didher school friend, Michael Corbett, who had loved her since childhood.
Theyd spoken less lately; Sam warned her:
Theres no friendship between opposite sexes, dont talk nonsense! Ill never believe there was anything between us!
Both Michael and Eleanor resigned themselves. Yet Eleanor often recalled her jovial mate, Alex, from a modest background, who Nancy detested.
Alex is a proper sort, not like that factory lad after college, shed mutter, as the world around them buzzed with new tech and factories humming.
Michael worked as an operator on the line, proud of his mastery over the machines.
You know, Ellie, hed call her, a nickname that made Nancy roll her eyesyou village girllisten, theyve raised my wage! Maybe your mum will let you marry me?
He hoped that, with her mothers blessing, sweet Ellie would become his wife. Their friendship had, over time, blossomed into love for Michael, but Eleanors heart already belonged to Sama gentleman from a respectable family, approved by her mother.
Thats the kind of man Id show my friendsnothing like your simple suitor, worth three pennies! laughed Nancy.
Ellie couldnt understand why her chosen one should be displayed to anyones friends, but she was pleased that a woman of outward influence approved of her choice. Otherwise, the matriarch would have crushed her will.
And indeed, the matriarch had a habit of dictating:
How dare you disobey, little thing? From now on I have no daughter! Dont you dare bring your?
Resultantly, Eleanors takenin baby turned into a scene reminiscent of a British film about London tearsonly with a crucial twist: Lilys condition was severe, and a quick leap from grim reality to a happy ending was impossible.
Eleanor never imagined that, upon agreeing, everyone would abandon her at onceThomas, both mothers, the fathers, even distant cousins.
All the relatives rallied behind Nancy:
Are you mad? Do you want to wander forever? Take her back before you get used to it! Sam will come back!
Her husbands admirers, even the mother, cheered wildly. Yet, betrayed and stunned, Eleanor, still in love with Thomas, did not want him to return. Though she still loved him, a slow erosion of that love had begun.
It became clear that living handinhand and parting in a single day was no longer possibleso much had changed, not for the better.
Thomas left that very day, driving them home; the flat belonged to Eleanor, his belongings to be fetched later.
Alone with her grief and sick Lily, Eleanors imagined futurea pink nursery, white furniture, a bright tomorrowfelt shattered.
Sam had even wallpapered the walls with a promise: My daughter will have the best of everything.
Now the nursery was painted pink, the furniture pristine, yet Lilys future was a misty haze. No tears fell, only a flood of raw emotion.
Eleanor called Michael, whose connection had almost faded: Do you remember, brother? The husband, too, objectedhed overindulged in pears.
She poured out the absurdity to her new lover, a distraught young man, who, despite the madness, couldnt hide his delight.
Outside the waiting lounge, where hed spent years, a coveted train roared inMichael, at last, claimed his happiness.
Inside the flat, a bustle began: Eleanor, soothed with tea and milk as was proper, watched Michael dash to the shop for baby supplieseverything Lily, as Michael called her, would need was already purchased.
The cot was shifted to another roomOlivia must sleep within arms reach! No argument.
She didnt argue; an inexplicable fatigue washed over her, the kind that follows intense nervous strain and finally releases. The firstborn beauty, Olivia Benson, began to come to herself.
She collapsed, mind empty, because Michael was there: Dont worry, EllieI’ll look after her. And he did, in a way only a true friend could.
When she awoke, Lilys nappy was fresh, the kitchen simmered with broth, Michael dozed beside the sleeping infant, while Olivia lay on the other side of the double bed.
A strange calm settled over her, a certainty that everything would be alright. Together, the three of them would pull themselves out, little by little.
Michael visited daily, offering both physical help and money; Lilys treatment was expensive.
To ease Eleanors burden, a nanny was hired for a few hours each day.
In the evenings, Michael walked with the girl, bathed herEllie could not manage alone. Neither husband nor mother called.
One and a half months later, Sam returned for his things:
I knew you were behind me maybe the defect isnt mine after allour family has no such flaw! Dont you dare call my mother! And forget about maintenance!
She hadnt hoped for alimony, nor anything else.
Michael, with gentle firmness, nudged the shrieking, indecent programmer from a respectable family out the door:
Scram, you techie!
The programmer left, and Ellie filed for divorce. Yet the biological father could not escape his obligations.
Time passed; Lilys health improved, her cheeks gaining a rosy hue. A major operation was scheduled, promising a radical turn.
Michael remained by her side, and when the moment came, Ellie asked him to staynot out of gratitude, but because she needed him as more than a helper.
Lilys surgery went smoothly; recovery was uneventful, followed by rehabilitation and adjustment to a healthier life.
When the girl eventually started school, she was placed in a folkmusic studio, where her perfect pitch shone.
By then, Olivia ran a popular blogstarted at Michaels urging:
Youre brilliant, Ellie! Photograph Lily, write engaging captions, post regularly!
The public adored the simple chronicles of a childs recovery, her hobbies, her joy. The onceoverlooked bluetinged lips and chapped skin became a sensation. Lily began winning competitions, and Ellie posted not just photos but recordings of her songs. Followers multiplied exponentially.
Relations with her own mother stayed chilly; she never forgave Lilys defiance. Granddaughter Lily, sick or healthy, held no interest for Nancy, who muttered, Raise yourself!
The first call after a contest win came from the former motherinlaw:
Ellie, that girl looks just like my Samsame face! Were both amazed! She sings wonderfully! Im single, no wife, no kids. Maybe we could meet?
Later, her exhusband rang:
I was angry then, but now I see I was wrong. Shall we meetme, you, and Lily? I can finally talk to my own daughter.
Of course, Sam! But Lily must agree too.
Thirteenyearold Lily, aware of having two fathers, replied:
Why? I dont even know him, Mum! What would we talk about?
So, dear readers, its not for youthis isnt a story about a girl, but a hole in a bagel, not a Sharapova.
The next day, Nancy called, obsessed with appearances. A gorgeous picture appeared: a charming child with a luxurious voice, winning prizesno shame in showing friends.
Yet sweet Olivia, surprisingly vengeful, could not forgive her grandmother for demanding a meeting with the granddaughter.
Its wonderful to receive a readymade, smart, healthy, beautiful, successful child.
But its far more rewarding to raise such a miracle yourself, feeling a deep satisfaction that you truly are a mother. Michael, indeed, became a true dad, and that is priceless.
All others may hold hands and wander wherever they wishthrough woods, to a village, with nets for catching butterfliesthough they may not be welcomed.
Harsh? Very harsh! Fair? Very fair! And it concerns you too, Sam and Nancy, especially
