Laura and Michael leave the flat of friends where they have just celebrated a birthday, heading home. Outside, November has settled in, and the dim glow of street lamps reveals a gentle snowfall, with a light breeze nudging the flakes forward.
Isnt it beautiful! Laura exclaims, admiring the evening scene.
Indeed, Michael replies, wrapping his arm around her.
They walk a little farther when Laura suddenly stops.
Do you hear that? she asks.
I hear a baby crying, Michael says, looking around.
Are they really walking around with infants at this hour? The cry sounds so fresh, Laura worries. The child must be right nearby, but I cant tell where.
They pause and scan their surroundings.
It must be over there! Michael points, hurrying toward the city park. On a bench already dusted with snow they spot a small bundle from which the wail emanates.
What a tiny thing Laura murmurs. But where are the parents?
It seems they left her here alone, Michael guesses.
Laura lifts the infant gently, and the baby instantly quiets.
Little one, who could have hurt you? she coos. Did such cruel parents abandon a child in the cold?
Soon they reach their flat. Laura places the baby on the couch, unwraps her, and gasps: its a newborn girl, barely a month old. She wears a threadbare shirt and is swaddled in a tattered blanket.
She needs to be fed right away, and her nappy was probably changed a few hours ago, Laura says, tears trembling in her voice.
Ill go out and buy everything, Michael offers.
Get formula, a bottle and nappies, Laura replies, rocking the warm infant in her arms, eyes on the brink of tears.
Fifteen minutes later Michael returns with a bag of supplies.
These are disposable nappy liners; we dont have any other stock yet, he says, setting the bag down.
Great, lets get her changed and fed, Laura says, bustling around the child. The babys skin is mottled; Laura carefully spreads baby cream over it and lays fresh liners beneath her. The infant eagerly grabs the tepid bottle, as if she hasnt eaten in ages.
We should call the police, otherwise it will look like we stole her, Michael suggests.
Agreed, Laura replies, gently laying the sleepy girl back down.
Early the next morning social services and police officers arrive. Laura watches, heart heavy, as they take the baby away. She had already formed a bond with the tiny girl, and the separation feels like a punch to her chest. Laura and Michael have been childless for seven years; Laura once miscarried at four months and since then they have given up hope of ever becoming parents. Perhaps the found girl truly lost her own parents
Left alone, Laura and Michael contemplate the childs fate.
My love, I would love to hold her again. Shes so precious, Laura says.
You know, I actually enjoyed all the fuss around that little bundle, Michael replies thoughtfully, watching mothers push prams in the playground. He imagines Laura among them and smiles.
Three months pass. The couples dream comes true: the authorities never locate the biological parents of Sophie, the name they have given the girl. Laura and Michael are overjoyed. They buy everything a child needs a pram, a cot, clothes, toys and more. Sophie becomes their pride. Laura now strolls through the garden with a pink pram, chatting cheerfully with other mums about their tots. No one doubts that adoptive parents will do anything for their child.
Sophie grows up well. At seventeen she graduates school with a gold medal and plans to study education.
After the graduation ball the whole family gathers for a celebratory dinner when a knock sounds at the door.
Ill get it. You all have a seat, Michael says with a grin, heading to the hallway.
Soon a drunken couple stumbles in, a man and a woman, pushing their way into the living room.
Little miss, congratulations on finishing school! the woman in a worn grey jacket shouts.
Little miss, were so proud of you! the man adds, scratching his head as if looking for more to say.
Who are you? Sophie jumps up from her seat. Why are you here?
Were your real parents, love, the woman croaks, introducing herself as the mother. We found you on that park bench seventeen years ago.
Dad, Mum, whats going on? Is this some sort of joke? Sophie looks bewildered between the strangers and Laura and Michael, who exchange uneasy glances.
Sophie, ignore them. Theyre just drunks looking for a drink, the father says.
Ah, youre handing out hangovers now? Sophie retorts sarcastically. Whats your excuse?
Laura steps in, tears in her eyes, and tells the story of how they found the baby in the park. Sophie, stunned, almost breaks down but then summons herself:
If this is true, both of you are out of here! she orders, pointing the unwelcome guests toward the door.
The drunken woman slurs, Darling, why are you like that? Youve got younger brothers and sisters, while her husband shifts nervously, looking as if hed lost his way in time. They finally stumble out, apologising profusely as they go.
Michael sighs with relief as he shuts the door.
What a stench they left! Laura exclaims, throwing open a window.
Sophie looks at her adoptive parents and asks, Is that really how it happened?
Her mother lowers her eyes.
Yes, love, the father admits.
They explain how they discovered her on a snowy bench, wrapped in an old blanket, and how they scrambled to complete the adoption paperwork.
Then then, Mum, Dad, I love you even more! she says, almost crying, hugging them tightly and thanking them for being there that night in the park.
Time moves on. The odd visitors never return. The family knows the drunken couple only wanted money for more booze, and the girl they abandoned was a financial burden. Sophie, however, thinks differently. She worries how such people can have children and neglect them, realizing that such parents only need child benefits.
Years later Sophie finishes college and takes a job at a teaching college. She never forgets that somewhere out there she might have siblings. Determined, she decides to visit them.
She travels with her boyfriend Ben, who has pledged to support her. They arrive at a rundown cottage where someone still lives.
Is this it? Ben asks, eyes wide.
Looks like it, Sophie replies, stepping into the overgrown yard that seems untouched for a century.
They knock on the sagging wooden door. After a moment, footsteps echo inside.
Ah, you remembered us? a disheveled aunt croaks, waving them in. Who’s that with you? Your fiancé? If so, pour a drink for him.
Im the fiancé, but we arent here for that, Ben answers seriously.
And why then? Throw a penny to the kids, theyre starving, while I have nothing. Your father died last year, the aunt mutters, shrugging.
Two wary eyes peer from the doorway. Ben hands the children two large boxes of sweets. The kids snatch the gifts and dash into another room.
At the kitchen table sits a skinny boy, eyeing the newcomers nervously.
This is our Mick. Meet him. Hes shy but a good lad, dreaming of school, the aunt mutters.
Sophie leans forward, smiling gently. Nice to meet you, Mick. Im your sister.
Mick glances at her, hesitates, and reluctantly shakes her hand.
Sophie and Ben bring Mick with them. He proves quick-witted and eager to learn. With Sophies help, he secures a place at a local college and a flat in the city. She visits often, and Mick blossoms, laughing, telling jokes and brightening his familys days.
The alcoholic mothers house still shelters two other children, ages nine and ten. Sophie sometimes meets them after school, bringing bags of groceries. She feels sorry for her brother and sister, whose mother spends every benefit on alcohol. Sophie invites them over, giving them a taste of a normal childhood, taking them to the cinema, amusement parks, or simply for walks in the park. One day the mother passes away, her lifestyle finally catching up with her.
Laura and Michael have earned a reputation as caring parents. Soon their family welcomes two more children. Artem and Vashti are mainly looked after by their older brother Colin and Sophie, who have the most free time. Growing up in a loving adoptive home, they forget the hardships of their early years, dreaming once of escaping the crumbling cottage and its harsh mother. They achieve education, become psychologists, and open a practice together, welcoming clients with open arms.
