Youre a mistake of youth.
She was just sixteen when she gave birth. The boy who fathered the child was also sixteen. Lets bypass the scandalous detailsthe small town didnt stop whispering for monthsbut after her son arrived, the couple parted ways almost immediately. When she realised the boy had no interest in her or their child, she lost all feeling for the baby as well. Her son was raised by his grandparentsher own mum and dad.
By the time she turned eighteen, she was off to Birmingham with a new young man. She never called, never wrote. Her parents didnt look for her either. There were accusations and wounded pridehow could their daughter abandon her child? It was shameful. It hurt to see they’d raised someone capable of such carelessness.
They brought up their grandson as their own. The young boy grew up seeing them as his parents. He was deeply grateful for his childhood, for his good education, for everything.
When he reached eighteen, his cousin was getting married. The whole extended family gathered at a hall in Liverpool, even his birth mother. By then, she was on her third husband and had two daughters with her.
The elder girl was ten, the youngest a toddler just over a year old. The young mans heart beat wildly he wanted to meet his mother, to see his sisters. Most of all, he wanted to ask, Mother, why did you leave me?
His grandparents had been wonderful, but he’d never stopped missing his mum. He had saved her only surviving photograph, even though his grandfather had burnt the rest. She stood chatting with an aunt, boasting about her lovely daughters.
And me, mother? What about me? he asked, voice trembling.
You? She shrugged, barely glancing in his direction. You were my youthful mistake. Your father was right. I shouldve had an abortion, she said, turning away.
Seven years later, hed made a life for himself living with his wife and son in a comfortable two-bedroom flat in Manchester, all thanks to his grandparents and his in-laws. One evening, his mobile rang; it was an unknown number.
Hello, son. Its your mother. Your uncle gave me your number. Listen, I know you live close to the university where your sisters started. Could she stay with you for a bit? Youre family, after all. She doesnt like the student halls, and rents sky-high. My husbands left, Im struggling; one daughters a student, anothers still in school, the third will be off to nursery soon, she said, her voice matter-of-fact.
You must have the wrong number, he replied, hanging up.
He went to his son, scooped him up, and smiled.
Right then, lets get ready. Were going to see Grandma and Grandpa, shall we invite Mum too?
Can we go to the countryside this weekend, all together? his small son asked eagerly.
Of course! Family traditions mustn’t be broken.
Some relatives criticised him, saying he could have helped his sister. But he was sure: his help was owed only to Grandma and Grandpa, not to a stranger who saw him as a mistake.
