The Choice
So, turns out Tom is thoroughly married sighed Emily, sitting on a bench in the park, her fingers clutching the hospital referral inside her coat pocket.
The other girls in the student halls envied her when they saw her with that dashing, clean-shaven, blue-eyed dark-haired gent. They thought she had lucked out with such a charming fellow. But there was really nothing to envy after all.
Emily shivered, remembering her first and last brush with Toms wife, whod waited for her by the factory gates to put her straight.
Well, hello there! Emily, isnt it? the woman began, her gaze sharp as she looked Emily up and down.
And you are? Emily stammered, unnerved by the tall, slim woman with platinum blonde hair.
Im ClaireTom Jenkins wife.
What?
You heard me.
Another plain little thing, Claire said coolly, honestly, how many of you are out there? Theres never a shortage of women keen to chase after someone elses happiness.
How dare you!
Look, Claire took hold of Emilys elbow, more advisory than threatening, lets get one thing straight Im his legal wife. I saw you with my husband, and now you have the nerve to act high and mighty, when you should be ashamed and apologising. But I suppose decent people act that way, and that clearly doesnt include you.
She gave Emily another long, evaluating look. There have been more girls like you than Ive got fingers and toes to count.
Getting involved with a married manshameless, arent you? she went on. Hes just a bloke, a bit of a hunter. Understand? To him, youre just a fleeting affair. Hell tire of you and youll be forgotten. Best keep away from him.
Oh, and we have two daughters I can show you a family photo, if you like. Claire reached into her bag and pulled out a worn snapshot, offering it to a stunned Emily. There! Proof, a real family. Taken in Brighton just two months ago
Well? Cat got your tongue?
What do you want from me? Sort out things with your husband yourself.
Oh, I will, dont worry! He only got this job at the factory recently, the pays decent, and then you show up. Claires eyes flashed. Im telling you: let go while you can. Dont fall for Toms promises; he has no intention of divorcing. Dont waste your time. How old are you nowthirty?
Twenty-five! Emily retorted, wounded.
Exactly. Still plenty of time to find a husband and settle down. Leave Tom be.
Emily no longer stayed to listen. Her legs felt weak as she left, the reality of Toms wife suddenly erupting into her blissful life and smashing all her rosy hopes and dreams in one blow.
Traitor Emily muttered, tightening her lips against the lump in her throat. But she wouldnt let everyone in the street see her pain. She didnt want office gossip.
That evening, Tom turned up at Emilys flat as if nothing had happened, brandishing a bunch of flowers. Her eyes were swollen, but she threw him out all the same, heedless of his swearing hed leave his wife, that theyd long been strangers to each other.
Emily spent two weeks in a daze. Tom steered clear of her now, pretending not to notice her if their paths crossed at work.
Trouble never comes alone. At first, Emily blamed her morning sickness and dizziness on heartacheuntil she realised her passionate, silly affair with Tom had left a consequence.
Six weeks, the doctor said solemnly. It sounded like a sentence.
Emily didnt want to become a single mum. She was terrified. It felt as though everyone around her knew, and watched with silent judgment. Shed been foolish enough to trust a man she barely knew.
Tom had kept his family life hidden. What more could she have doneask for his ID on their first date? He hadnt worn a wedding ring, but then not all married men do.
She wondered why she hadnt been suspicious when he insisted their relationship be kept quiet at work.
Hed misled heryet knowing the truth now made things no easier. And gossip swirled among her colleagues about the day Claire paid her a call.
Im pregnant, Emily finally told Tom over her lunch break, desperate.
Ill give you cashjust sort it, he muttered curtly.
The next day Tom resigned. He vanished from her life for good.
Emily knew she couldnt delay. Despite her doctors warnings, she collected her referral for the procedure.
Now she sat on a bench, gripping the folded letter as if afraid to let go.
In a rush? said a sharp-dressed man as he dropped onto the seat beside her, clutching a massive bouquet of dark red chrysanthemums.
Pardon? she glanced at him, her eyes hollow.
Your watch is fast, he nodded at the gold wristwatch she wore.
Oh, its always ten minutes ahead. I keep setting it back, but its hopeless, she said flatly, turning away.
Glorious weather today, isnt it? True Indian summer. My mum loves this time of year. She told me, on a warm autumn day like this, she made the right choice in life and never once regretted it.
He chattered on, oblivious to her gloom. You know, my mums a star! He gave her a thumbs up. Im so grateful to her.
What about your dad? Emily asked before she could help herself.
She never talks about him and Ive never askedcant bear to cause her pain.
He was beaming, Ive just come from a job interview, you know. Out of ten applicants for a top spot at the firm they chose me! And Ive never even worked in an office before! Can hardly believe it Mum always taught me to believe in myself.
He shifted the bouquet on his lap. I already know how Ill spend my first paycheque Ill get my mum a holiday by the sea. Shes never seen the sea.
Have you ever been? he asked.
No, Emily admitted, staring strangely at the young man beside her, her gaze drawn to his burgundy tie.
He caught her look and smiled. Mums present, he said, running a proud hand over it.
Im probably boring you with all my babbling, but I just wanted to share my happiness with someoneyou looked so sad Thought you might want to talk. Am I annoying you?
Emily silently shook her head. He didnt irritate her at all. Somehow, hed managed to stop the spiral of bleak thoughts in her mind. His devotion to his mother touched her deeply.
What a loyal love, she thought, more curious now, watching him as he spoke. His mums so lucky Wish I could have a son like that one day.
Well, Ill be off. Mums waiting for me and shell be anxious And youdont rush!
Sorry, what?
I meant your watch, he grinned.
Oh, she smiled in return.
A moment later the young man disappeared around the corner. Emily looked at the hospital referralshe wasnt afraid to let go now and tore it into tiny pieces.
She sat for a long while, breathing in the golden autumn air.
A sense of peace and warmth washed over her, thanks to this stranger who felt like an old friend. She was not alone. That woman had raised a wonderful son on her own. Pity Emily hadnt asked his name, but it didnt matter now
Shed made her choice.
***
Twenty-three years later
Mum, Im going to be late, said James as he fussed with his reflection, while Emily carefully tied his new burgundy tie, bought just yesterday for his big job interview.
Maybe forget about the tie, then?
Its for confidence, Mum. Trust me, everythings going to work out fine. Theyll definitely hire you! she said, finishing the knot and standing back to admire her son.
Im nervous what if
This job is yours. Dont worry, just answer the questions clearly, dont forget to smile youll be irresistible.
Alright, Mum, James grinned, kissed her cheek, and hurried off to the interview.
Emily watched him from the window as he walked off towards the bus stop, her dearest walking out into the world, full of hope.
Suddenly, she felt a strange joltas if struck by a memory long buried.
Shed seen this before That lad in the park more than twenty years ago James, in his sharp suit now, looked just like him
She realised shed forgotten that incident for years. But now the memory blazed into life.
How? How could it be? Was it fate, letting her glimpse, so many years ago, the child she almost gave upsteering her towards the right path?
Why hadnt she asked the boys name back then? Why didnt she find out his mums name? But, in truth, none of that mattered anymore.
Everything had turned out beautifully.
That afternoon, James burst in with a huge bouquet of dark red chrysanthemums, perfectly matching his tie, and proudly announced hed got the job.
He also promisedin a voice brimming with love and purposethat hed take Emily to the seaside someday, since shed never seen the sea.
It was his turn to look after his beloved mum. For her, hed move mountains, turn rivers backwards. Thats just the sort of son hed become.
No matter the troubles over the years, whenever Emily pressed her face to her boys head and breathed him in, all was well again.
Theyd got through everything and never lost heart.
Emily never once regretted having her son. Shed made the right choice for herself.
So let it be!
