They said we had no kin, that we shouldnt have taken them in. Why bring strangers into our home? they asked, pitying the poor souls we were now sheltering. Call the care officers tomorrow, as I told you, I heard them mutter. Let them sort it out!
John stared at his wife with a flash of anger. She had just returned from the funeral of her dear friend, Sarah, and the children of the deceased were standing by the doorway. Little Lily, three, clutched her mothers skirt, while thirteenyearold James shuffled uncertainly, not knowing how to greet such an unwelcoming host.
Mary gently nudged the youngsters toward the kitchen and, in a calm voice, said, James, fetch a glass of orange juice for Lily and a drink for yourself. Its in the fridge.
When the children slipped away, she turned to her husband, her tone sharp. Arent you ashamed? Sarah was my closest friend. Do you think Id abandon her children in their misery? Imagine what theyre feeling now. Youre thirtyeight and still call your own mother at the slightest trouble! Think of them!
Johns expression softened. Alright, I understand, but youre not really planning to keep them here, are you? he asked more peacefully.
Yes, Mary replied. I intend to apply for guardianship. They have no one. Their father vanished, never even attended the funeral. Sarah lost her parents early. Theres an aunt, but she refuses shes far too old to take them in. And we have no children of our own.
Mary, Im your husband, remember that. Dont you want to hear my thoughts? John prompted.
John, whats the matter? Youre a good man; I know you. Otherwise I wouldnt have brought the children without asking. Are you frightened by the expenses? Well manage. The kids arent infants any longer. James will continue at school, and Lily can go to the local nursery. Our way of life wont need a complete overhaul, she assured.
John sighed. But my motherMary! Shell think Im living off Sarahs estate if she finds out. She already nags me for not having grandchildren.
Mary shrugged. Your mother neednt meddle in our affairs. We always wanted to adopt a child, didnt we? Why take strangers? James and Lily already know us, and we know them. Itll be easier for everyone.
John nodded slowly. Perhaps youre right, Mary. But we had hoped for a single babyjust one. Lilys still tiny, but James is a teenager; hell be a handful.
Mary smiled. We were all teenagers once. Our problems were solved, we grew up, and we became reasonable adults.
Fine, well sort it out as we go. Let them stay for now, John said, conceding.
Mary planted a warm kiss on Johns cheek and beamed. She trusted him completely; he had always been the sort to grumble, then swallow his pride and help her through everything.
She moved to the kitchen to prepare dinner, already planning the next days errands: a visit to social services, gathering documents from work and the bank, arranging the necessary paperwork.
Thus began an endless parade of hurdles. In films, orphaned children magically find families, but in reality one must wrestle with a mountain of forms and certifications. At one point James and Lily even considered a temporary stay in a childrens home, yet John and Mary pooled every ounce of resolve and secured the right to keep the youngsters with them.
Lily, being young, quickly shrugged off sorrow, finding comfort in new toys and treats. James struggled more; John could see the boy fighting back tears. One evening John pulled James aside, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said, I know it hurts, lad. Im nearing forty and cant imagine what would happen if my own mother were gone. For Lilys sake you must stay strong. If you need to cry or shout, tell me. Well step away somewhere private. You must not let that pain show to Lily, or shell be frightened. Speak to me, alright?
From then on James regarded John with respect. Mary often saw them leaving together, returning as close as old friends.
The couple endured a barrage of inspections from every agency imaginable. To prove they could support the children, they even took out a modest loan, refurbished a spare bedroom, bought a cot, toys, and new clothes. A sum was needed to enrol Lily in the nursery down the road, and when James confessed he missed his friends from the football club, they paid for his weekend sessions as well.
At last the trials were over; the guardianship was granted. John took a second job to clear the debts. Mary found extra work teaching physics at the local school and tutoring struggling pupils at home for a fee. Their financial worries eased.
A year passed. The children settled into the new routine, forming close bonds with their guardians. Lily began calling Mary Mum, and even Johns mother, Vera, who had initially opposed the arrangement, grew fond of the youngsters.
Summer approached, and John suggested, How about a seaside break? Not Brighton this timelets go to Cornwall. Ive seen a good holiday deal; Ill ring them up now and book us.
Mary welcomed the idea. She was weary after the long year and longed for a distraction. Soon a colleague called Mary out of the blue, chatting about nothing in particular. The colleague sighed, Lucky you! Ill be stuck at my cottage all summer, funds are tight. You must be getting a decent allowance from the council, eh?
Mary felt a sting. For a moment she saw herself as greedy, taking the children for money. She voiced her thoughts to John, who reflected, Ive heard similar remarks. One mate said I should have upgraded my car by now, that Im living off the childrens benefits while still driving a rust bucket.
Mary laughed, Your mother also says I should start looking after my teeth now that our income has risen, or else youll run off with some other woman and leave me and the kids behind.
John added, My boss told me not to count on extra holidays because the children arent my own, so Im not entitled to any special leave.
A neighbour on the stairs chimed in, Life must be easier now, with two men in the house and all those bags from the shops! James is always hungry, growing up fast.
John summed up, They all think we took the kids for the money.
Mary shrugged, Let them think what they will.
But we cant go to Cornwall, John warned, theyll say were spending the childrens allowance on a holiday! Everyones asking if weve transferred the kids flat into our name. They sympathise when I tell them your friend had no home.
Mary faltered, What shall we do then? She had never imagined any profit; the pension the children received after losing their father was saved for a rainy day. James was about to apply to a technical college for programminga costly ambition.
John smiled, Well do nothing about their gossip. Well go to Cornwall regardless. Everyone judges for themselves.
Soon the family set off for Cornwall, enjoyed a splendid break, and grew even closer. Upon returning, Mary felt illnausea and a sudden weakness seized her. John, terrified she had caught something abroad, called an ambulance.
She was taken for tests. James worried bitterly, fearing he might lose the woman who had become a mother to him. He even wept. A few days later Mary called John, her voice bright, John, you wont believe itwere having a baby!
Darling, is it true? John asked, astonished. We never thought this could happen.
She said it can happen, Mary replied, laughing with relief. It must be a blessing from above, perhaps gratitude from my late friend.
She then grew serious, John, you understand the children will stay with us, just as before.
What other options are there? John said, gathering James and Lily. Come here, you two! I have wonderful newsyoull soon have a little brother or sister! Hooray!
