Mum, I forgive you!
Anne Parker collapsed. One quiet evening she called her daughter over.
Ethel, love, Im dying. Its time I told you everything. Im afraid I dont have much left. Forgive me, my girl!
Dont say that, Mum! Ill call an ambulance right now!
No ambulance, Ethel. Just listen to me!
The ailing woman began her tale. It happened a long time ago, darling. I had a friend, Gillian. We both grew up in the orphanage and became friends there. After that we both went to teacher training college. When we finished, we were each posted to a country school.
The Ministry put us in different places: they gave me a tiny cottage beside the school, and Gillian was placed with an elderly couple. All our free time we spent together. Wed go to the village hall for dances with a squeezebox band. The accordionist was a handsome lad. The moment I saw him I knew he was the one Id been waiting for all my life. His name was William, darkeyed and charming.
Every weekend Gillian and I would race to the hall. I never took my eyes off William, soaking up his warm voice. My heart fluttered whenever he threw a casual glance my way. Then I noticed he kept looking at Gillian, smiling at her, while she seemed to blossom under his gaze. I realised William preferred the shy, unassuming Gillian.
I tried countless times to catch his attention, but it never worked; he barely noticed me. I was furious and jealous! I grew to hate Gillian to the point of madness. She was beaming with happiness, blissfully unaware of my dark feelings. One day she burst into my room, smiling, and whispered, Anne, William and I are getting married soon.
I understood that was the end of my life. Despair crushed me. I stopped eating and sleeping, and the only thought in my head was that William had to be mine! Id do anything for that. I heard from locals that a witch named Mabel lived in the neighbouring hamlet, so I went to her for help.
I know why youre here, the crone said.
Fear seized me at first, but thinking of William gave me courage. Mabel brewed a love potion, filled a bottle, and handed it to me.
Pour it into his drink, she croaked.
I tried to hand her some money, but she burst out laughing.
No money needed, dear. Youll learn what I want later. Off you go.
That evening Gillian and William came over. Perfect timing. I set the table, slipped the potion into Williams glass. He drank it and seemed to change instantly. Gillian, sensing something off, whisked him home. The next morning William stood on my doorstep, insisting he belonged only with me. The witchs promise held I had my beloved! We married soon after and lived happily ever after. William adored me, and I couldnt breathe without him. You might wonder about Gillian?
She avoided us, but we still had to meet occasionally. I still see her sorrowful face and tearfilled eyes. The old couple whod taken her in spat at me, calling me a witch. Rumours spread through the village that Gillian was pregnant with Williams child and had almost taken her own life. I felt sorry for her, but I loved my husband more than anything.
One day the old man Arthur, who lived with Gillian, knocked on our door.
Come with me, he said.
What for? I asked.
Your friend is dying. Shes calling for you, Arthur replied.
He looked at me, and I followed him silently. In the old couples cottage a baby cried. On the bed lay Gillian, pale and barely breathing. My heart clenched painfully and I wanted to run. Then Gillian opened her eyes and whispered faintly,
Anne, Im dying. Take my daughter with you. Let her be with Ethels father
Her hand fell limp. The elders muttered a prayer and the village midwife, Martha, wailed and thrust a bundle into my arms. It was you, my child. I didnt want to take you, but Arthur growled,
Id never have left you this child, but Gillians wish must be honoured! She was a good soul. Take the girl home and God forbid you hurt her!
Thus you appeared. Your father was angry that Id taken you in. Your endless crying pestered him and me alike. William changed, started drinking, and often didnt stay home. My happy life crumbled, and I could do nothing. Daughter, you have no idea how much I hated you!
I dreamed of having my own child, and then you fell into my lap. A while later I discovered I was pregnant. When William learned this, he quit the bottle and began dreaming of a son. It seemed happiness had returned. A night before the birth, I dreamed of a dark creature in a forest clearing, its paws covered in shaggy black fur.
Do you know me? it hissed in Mabels voice. Ive come for whats mine.
I woke screaming in pain, and by evening I delivered a dead boy. Your father, stricken with grief, returned to the bottle and soon died, frozen in the snow. Arthur and Martha followed him. I was left alone with you on the bleak world. Ethel, you became the meaning of my sinful life, which I cannot imagine without you.
You grew up looking just like your mother. I kept trying to tell you the truth and ask forgiveness, but never managed. You married, had a wonderful grandson. Now I have no time left for heavy talks, and Im terrified to leave this world with such a heavy burden, the woman paused.
I am responsible for your parents deaths. Will you forgive me, my child? My sin is great before God and before you.
A nervous tremor ran through Ethel. Tears streamed down the young womans cheeks. She gathered her strength, embraced the pleading mother, and whispered,
Mum, I forgive you.
Anne Parker died that night in her sleep, a faint smile frozen on her lips.
