Found someone to have a baby with.
Who did you have a baby with? Mrs. Lawrence says, her voice sharp with disbelief.
Yes, I told you its Victor! Blythe replies, a hint of defiance in her tone.
Mrs. Lawrence narrows her eyes. I dont mean who he is, I mean youve finally found a man to give birth for!
Mom, you wont believe me if I say it was an accident, Blythe says, biting her lip into a shy smile.
Accidentally getting pregnant is possible, darling, but you cant accidentally give birth or carry a child, sorry! Mrs. Lawrence says, suspicion flickering across her face. Or are you trying to say you were in a fit of passion?
Blythe sighs. I got pregnant, then one day Im like, What the? and the baby says his first words: Hello, Mum.
Sweetheart, it wasnt that simple, Mrs. Lawrence snaps, shaking her head. Youve been in that good times, bad times cycle for five years now. Its high time you realised a relationship with Victor is a deadend.
I thought hed changed, Blythe protests.
People can improve, but not someone whos nice one minute and makes you want to kill him the next, Mrs. Lawrence rolls her arms. Hes drained you of nerves, yet you keep going back to him like its a habit.
Its like a broken record, Blythe mutters, pressing her lips together. Ive already sprinted past the sons birth.
If you dont like that Ive come back to you, I can leave, Blythe says, voice edged with hurt.
Leave Victor? Mrs. Lawrence asks, a laugh escaping her.
Blythe forces a smile. The thought of ever returning to Victor seems absurd, even in the worst case.
Mom, I could rent a flat, she says. I have some savings, plus the child support money. I wont disappear.
Mrs. Lawrence sighs, conceding. No ones after you. So, whats your plan now?
Well raise Elliot together, then Ill get a job in the garden centre, and later go back to work, Blythe says.
And the father?
Nothing yet, she shrugs. Victor wants to marry me and be the legal dad, but
Has he even been listed on the birth certificate? Mrs. Lawrence asks.
Why would I put him there? Blythe snaps. What can he give the child? Hes all talk, a selfproclaimed eagle, but I cant even compare him to anything.
He promised me a car for the baby and a flat if I agree to marry him. When he came last week to see his son, I asked, Do you actually want to see him? You know you have to support him. He handed me five hundred pounds, and the baby was only a month and a half old!
What about that? Mrs. Lawrence leans in, intrigued.
Only at the storys end does she appear. Blythe had tossed Victors dirty diaper down the stairs to the ground floor.
I shoved the cash in his face and told him it wouldnt even buy nappies, Blythe recalls, her irritation resurfacing. Then I kicked him out!
What did he do?
The next day he called, demanding rights to see his son. I told him he must legally recognise paternity, otherwise Ill sue for child maintenance, Blythe smirks. He fell silent.
Oh, Blythe, Mrs. Lawrence shakes her head. Where do you find men like that? First husband was a surprise, now Victor! Youd be better off without himmore trouble than its worth.
Im chasing him away, but he wont go. I scolded, insulted, hurt him, and he was as cool as a cucumber. Still, Im done. I dont want to be with him again. Hes all talk, no action.
What did you even have a baby for? Mrs. Lawrence asks, exasperated.
Mom, Im thirtyfour now
***
Blythes love life has become the talk of the town. Whenever her name surfaces, people lean in, curious, because no one messes up like she does. Shes blessed with looks and a sharp mind, yet somehow always picks the most peculiar partners.
Her first serious romance starts at university, when she moves into a flat with a boxertype lad named Bob. Bobs appeal is mostly his physique; his intellect is thin, and his only hobby is punching the bag.
What were you thinking, getting involved with him? her mother asks. Hes got no brain, just a throat!
I hoped hed build both muscles and a mind, Blythe defends.
And what drove you to the club while he hadnt even stretched his head a bit? Mrs. Lawrence shakes her head. Shouldnt you have said you were only there to dance?
I did explain that, Blythe snaps.
Bob chased after Blythe, even though he had a strict training schedule. When he saw other men dancing around her, he turned it into a oneonall sparring session, avoided heavy blows, and eventually withdrew from the scene for two years to redeem himself.
After that, she drifted until she met Andrew. Andrew had the looks and the brains. He adored her, essentially worshipped her, though his job was constantly in flux. He earned a modest wage, while Blythe, fresh out of university, made twice as much.
Even though his income was lower, Blythe didnt mind; she expected him to eventually step up, take initiative, and aim for a promotion. Shed even coach him if needed. Andrew never acted like a macho; he admitted Blythe was smarter, more capable, and the head of their household.
They married, with Blythes parents footing the bill. Two years later, Andrews jealousy flared when a colleague caught his eye. He took his husband on a corporate night out, treating it as harmless flirtation. When they got home, he took advantage of Blythe on the first night, leaving her in the hospital for weeks. The only outcome was divorceno apologies.
Andrew barred Blythe from the flat they shared. Once she left the hospital, she slept on a park bench and begged a friend for a nights shelter. The flat still held her belongings, jewellery, and the money shed been saving for a car.
Andrew claimed he hadnt seen any of it, that only his stuff was there, and that she couldnt prove otherwise. He called it compensation for moral damage due to her alleged infidelity. The police got involved.
He eventually got rid of his possessions, which were later found in a communal dump. The cash was untraceable, but the jewellery was clearly hersphotos of her on social media proved ownership. When Andrew stubbornly refused to return them, Blythe filed a theft report, then withdrew it after he finally repaid the money for the car.
How does that look? she asked herself. My second man lands in prison, and the pattern repeats itself.
Then Victor entered the picture. He never grew up to be anything more than a boy named Victor. Over five years of their onandoff relationship, no one ever called him anything else.
Why did she get involved with Victor? Apart from his obsessive compliments and the way he stared into her mouth, he seemed safe. She imagined herself as a punching bag, promising never to let that happen again. Victor, however, was incapable of raising a hand.
Describing him as incapable fits perfectly. He talked a lot, made grand promises, but never acted.
Blythe never lived in her hometown. She moved to a larger city for university and stayed, first meeting a boxer, then a second one, and finally Victor. She never owned a home; she rented a onebedroom flat on the fifth floor of a council block in Manchesterthe cheapest option, allowing her to save for a future purchase.
When she started seeing Victor, she also met his mother, who beamed with pride at Blythes beauty, intelligence, and kindness. From the first meeting she announced, Well remodel this flat, and then Ill move in with my sister, leaving the place to you!
The renovation never really began. Three years pass and the flat shows no signs of improvement. Victor keeps moving between his mothers place, where he pretends to work on the remodel, and Blythes rented flat.
One day Blythe arrives in her car, feeling a sudden pain in her stomach, and rushes to Victors mothers bathroom. Nothing changes in the flat for three yearsno renovation, no progress.
She decides she must send Victor packing forever, not forgiving him even when he crawls back on his knees, inventing excuses about buying a flat as a surprise when they eventually marry. Blythe, scarred by past betrayals, isnt in a rush to wed.
After over four years of broken promises, Victor finally does something drastiche sabotages her contraception. When Blythe tells him shes pregnant, he suddenly becomes overly attentive, showering her with cash and support, making her think he finally got his act together.
His generosity lasts three months, then he vanishes. Hes gone for six months, missing the birth and the hospital discharge. Blythe, through mutual friends, informs him of the baby, refusing to rely on social media.
She gives birth and, with the newborn, returns to her mothers town. Victor turns up, pleading, Im the father; I want to see my son! I have the right! He never registered the paternity at the registry office.
Mom, Im thirtyfour already! When will I find a decent husband? Blythe repeats, exasperated.
Are you going back to Victor? Mrs. Lawrence asks, surprised.
No, of course not, Blythe waves her hand. Hes just a donor, nothing more. He doesnt want any responsibility. Ill get rid of him eventually. At least I have my son!
She had thought the same when Victor disappeared during her pregnancy. A healthy, strong, goodlooking man, perfect as a donor.
Mrs. Lawrence opens her mouth to reply, but a knock interrupts them.
Whos at the door? Blythe calls out, heading to the entrance.
Its me! Victor stands there, eyebrows raised. You sent me away again, but Im not angry. Can you give me a ticket home?
What? Blythe bursts out laughing. Are you insane? You made a child and now you wont support him! You cant even give his mother money for a ride home.
You dare come in here asking for money? she snaps. Get out! If you show up again Ill file a harassment complaint.
What about my son? Victor tries to peek over Blythes shoulder, as if hoping to catch a glimpse.
Hes not yours! Its not on any record! If you want to be a father, start supporting the child! My word is finalprove paternity in court, pay child support, and youll lose parental rights if you default. Youll never see him again.
Please, just give me fifteen hundred pounds so I can get home, Victor pleads.
Blythe tosses a few notes at his feet and slams the door. He never returns.
With that attitude, dear, youll raise a fine lad, but youll never find a husband, Mrs. Lawrence says.
That’s my lot, Blythe shrugs. At least I have a sonmy wealth, my happiness, my proper family without any Victors.
