Nancy settled comfortably with a photo album in her hands, often spending hours flipping through its pages. Memories of those joyful times warmed her heart.
The first photo in the album was already faded. A young woman with a bouquet of flowers stood on the steps of a maternity hospital. Beside her, a beaming husband cradled two tiny babies. The black-and-white image hid the fact that the ribbons swaddling the infants were different colors: blue and pink.
A flood of memories washed over the gentle elderly woman. In those not-so-distant times, having a first child after 30 was considered reckless. By 25, a woman was cruelly labeled “old mother.” At the prenatal clinic, a barrage of grim predictions rained down on the expectant mother. The local gynecologist did everything to convince her to terminate the pregnancy.
— Do you even know, my dear, — she asked, — what your chances are of giving birth to a sick child? You don’t? Well, I’ll tell you: significant! Want to be the mother of a disabled child? And that’s not even mentioning that you’ll probably not carry this pregnancy to term.
Doctors scolded, nurses sighed, and shook their heads in disapproval. Over nine months, she grew accustomed to it.
— The woman’s lost her mind! — the midwife barked each time the laboring mother couldn’t stifle a groan. — Do you even realize what first childbirth at 35 means, you fool? Push, come on! Decided to give birth? Then try harder!
And she tried, oh, she tried so hard. The twins, Olivia and Caleb, were born healthy, with good weight, and cried immediately after birth. The new mother laughed as her babies eagerly latched onto her breast: they were so hungry, her children! Even years and decades later, Nancy (now Nancy Elizabeth) loved recalling those first days of blinding maternal joy. She was incredibly lucky: she rarely heard her babies cry. Her little ones were remarkably calm. They slept well and, when awake, cooed softly in their cribs. They had hearty appetites and steadily gained weight. As the children grew, their quarrels were so few they could be counted on one hand. Instead, the bond between brother and sister was nothing short of perfect. “Team Double C,” their father would say of their relationship, “Care and Courage.”
— And this, — the elderly woman picked up the next photo, tears welling in her eyes, — their first day of first grade.
Son and daughter were inseparable, always sharing everything and never fighting. The only near-argument happened right after their eighteenth birthday. As per tradition, the siblings celebrated together, which greatly displeased Lily, Caleb’s girlfriend. It seemed she was jealous of his sister. More accurately, Lily was jealous of Caleb’s attachment to everyone, but especially his sister. Olivia invited her boyfriend to the birthday celebration.
— You’ll love him, I’m sure, — she said excitedly to her parents and brother. — Michael is wonderful! He works in a carpentry shop and already gets custom orders. He’s so talented!
— It’s good that he’s hardworking, — their father smiled. — I like his trade. A good carpenter will never be out of work.
— What do his parents do? — asked Nancy Elizabeth.
— He’s an orphan, — Lily sneered. — Caleb told me. Your Michael’s a street kid, Olivia. A nobody. A pathetic little pauper.
Olivia spun toward her brother, her lips trembling.
— Olivia, I didn’t say it like that! — Caleb exclaimed. — I just said he’s from an orphanage, so what?
— And you think he’s… — Olivia trailed off, hanging her head.
— I don’t think anything like that, — Caleb said firmly. — I couldn’t care less about his background if he’s a good person. And you, Liv, don’t listen to anyone. — He glared at Lily.
She immediately pouted and fluttered her long eyelashes.
— Listen to yourself, Olivia. Your heart will guide you. It won’t steer you wrong.
That evening, after the guests left, they talked for hours. Michael, shy, hopelessly in love, and endearing in his modest suit, won everyone over. Only Lily couldn’t stop spewing venom.
— Don’t marry him! — she sang in a venomous tone. — Who knows what kind of genes he’s got? He might turn into a drunk or a drug addict. And what kind of kids would you have with him?
— Enough! — their father snapped. — As if only orphans drink or do drugs! Stop talking nonsense!
Lily fell silent, clearly offended. It wasn’t her best day.
A year later, Caleb married Lily, and Olivia wed her beloved Michael. The joint wedding was modest; the young couples firmly declined their parents’ financial help. The wedding photo captured Olivia hugging both her husband and brother, with a sulky Lily standing off to the side. Lily was, of course, deeply upset. She had dreamed of an extravagant wedding dress, a crowd of guests, and a lavish menu at the finest restaurant. But her fiancé firmly stated that until they could afford such luxury themselves, burdening their parents was unconscionable. Lily had to temper her expectations. She knew when she could push her fiancé to get her way and when it was futile. This was the latter.
The night before the wedding, Caleb visited his sister’s room.
— Nervous?
Olivia shrugged uncertainly.
— You know, Caleb… I’m sure about Michael. But I keep thinking: what’s married life like? Will I manage? Look at Mom—she cooks, cleans, shops, does laundry, and takes care of us. That’s so much! How do you do it all?
— You’ll learn, — Caleb laughed. — And a good husband will help. But here’s what I want to say, Liv: remember you’ve got a brother, okay? No matter what happens, I’m always here. I’ll always help you.
— And I’ll help you, — Olivia replied.
They made this promise without fanfare, and likely didn’t even commit the moment to memory.
“And that’s probably not surprising,” Nancy Elizabeth smiled to herself. “They were always there for each other, and caring for one another was as natural as breathing.”
— You’re an idiot! — Lily screamed at her husband.
Nancy Elizabeth heard the shouting from the staircase. She had planned to visit her son and daughter-in-law to share some of the harvest: the apples this year were especially juicy and sweet. Now she stood at their door, hesitating to ring the bell.
— Five years we’ve been together, and you still haven’t learned to make money? How many pairs of shoes do I have? Four! And your precious sister?
— What’s she got to do with it? — Caleb asked, stunned.
— Everything! Her orphan husband provides for their family far better than you do! Olivia’s drowning in gifts, dresses, and shoes she’ll never wear out! They vacation five times a year! And they’ve got a kid now.
— But you’re the one saying it’s too soon for us! — Caleb tried to defend himself.
— Of course it’s too soon! — Lily raged on. — How could I have a kid with someone like you? You can barely feed yourself, let alone a child! We’re practically starving, scraping by on crumbs. You’re a loser, and you’ve made me one too!
Nancy Elizabeth, without pressing the doorbell, quietly descended the stairs and headed home.
— Lily’s tearing him apart, just eating him alive! — she complained to her husband.
— Stay out of it, — he advised sadly.
— But Caleb earns well! What more does she want? She keeps pointing to Olivia and Michael, saying they live better. How is that fair?
— I know, Nancy, I know. Lily’s called me with her complaints too, more than once. I didn’t tell you; I was worried about your blood pressure. What can we do? — Arthur William spread his hands. — At least Olivia and Michael are happy together. They’re bringing Sophia over tomorrow. They say she misses her grandparents and wants to stay with us for a week.
Thinking of her granddaughter, Nancy immediately smiled.
— I should bake something tasty. She loves apple pie.
— So do I. — Her husband hugged her shoulders. — Let’s think about that pie. Want me to peel the apples?
But the next day, tragedy struck. Nancy Elizabeth rose early to clean before Sophia’s arrival. Usually, Arthur got up with her to walk their spaniel, Lord. But today, he decided to sleep in. Nancy busied herself quietly around the house and was about to wake her husband when she heard the dog’s mournful howl. Her heart pounded with dread. Approaching her husband, she sank to the floor beside him and wept bitterly.
Two weeks after the funeral, Olivia and Michael drove to check on Nancy Elizabeth. They offered to have her move in with them, but she refused each time. Olivia and Caleb agreed to take turns visiting their mother daily.
The weather that evening was dreary. Their car skidded on a road slick with autumn rain and veered into oncoming traffic. They died instantly. Nancy Elizabeth barely remembered those days. They blurred into a sticky, black void, like tar. It felt as though the darkness was creeping over her, binding her limbs and clouding her mind. To pull herself out, she repeated: “Sophia! She’s alive!”
That thought alone gave her the strength to survive. Her only granddaughter anchored the grieving woman, who, by fate’s cruel hand, had buried her husband and daughter. Now she faced a daunting battle through bureaucratic offices to ensure Sophia wouldn’t end up in an orphanage. The guardianship office was blunt:
— Sorry, Nancy Elizabeth, but you’re too old to be a guardian for a four-year-old.
“Age…” Nancy thought, recalling both the prenatal clinic’s gynecologist and the harsh maternity ward midwife. “Why does everyone always talk about my age? And always to tell me it’s too late.”
— But the girl has an uncle, right? Maybe he’d agree to take her in? Talk to him…
— She’s not a toy! People don’t abandon cats on the street, and this is a child! — Nancy pleaded.
Her plea was directed more at Lily than Caleb. Her son, hearing about the guardianship issue, started to speak but fell silent under his wife’s fierce glare. Now Caleb sat quietly in an armchair. Sophia, perched on his lap, munched happily on an apple.
— I won’t hear of it! — Lily shouted. — Why should I care for someone else’s kid? Fine, she’s Caleb’s family, but who is she to me? Can’t I have my own children? Let the orphanage take her—that’s where orphans belong!
— Please, adopt the poor girl, I beg you, — Nancy Elizabeth pleaded, nearly on her knees, looking hopefully at her son.
Lily glared at her mother-in-law with contempt. Nancy flinched as if slapped and shrank into the corner of the sofa. She wanted to hide from this hatred, to run, but that would mean Sophia would be sent to an orphanage…
Caleb, who hadn’t said a word, suddenly looked up.
— What did you say? Lily, are you serious? Sophia’s not an orphan; she has family. And we, her family, are supposed to send her to an institution? Do you hear yourself? Mom, get up. — Caleb hugged his mother, and she broke into sobs.
— Oh, look who’s talking! — Lily sneered. — She’s got family, huh? Fine. And what am I to you, not family? Choose, Caleb: me, your wife, or this stray!
She smirked triumphantly. Throughout their marriage, Caleb had always given in to her. Lily was certain she’d win this time too.
— There’s no choice to make, — Caleb said calmly. — Sophia, come here, sweetheart. Don’t worry, and don’t listen to Lily. She’s leaving, and no one will dare say such things again.
The little girl wrapped her arms trustingly around her uncle’s neck, sniffling as she rested her head on his shoulder. Caleb’s heart clenched. He closed his eyes for a moment, memories of childhood in their parents’ home flooding back… Olivia… It was too painful to think about.
— Sophia will live here, with me. That’s final, — he said hoarsely, looking at his wife.
Lily gasped; there was no retreat.
— Call me back, and I won’t return! — she snapped in a sharp, grating voice and stormed out.
— Packing her things? — Nancy whispered.
Caleb smirked.
— Let her go wherever she wants. I’m done. Here’s the plan, Mom: move in with me. It’ll be better for you, and Sophia will have us both.
— But what about Lily? What if you reconcile? — Nancy asked timidly, glancing at the door.
— No, Mom, — Caleb’s voice carried an unshakable certainty. — You and Sophia are my family. Only you.
Lily clattered her suitcases down the hall and slammed the front door.
— I’ll file for divorce tomorrow, — Caleb decided.
Nancy thought she heard unmistakable relief in his voice.
— Here you go, Sophie, you’ll start kindergarten this fall, — the young pediatrician stamped the final document needed for enrollment. — And guess what? Fall starts the day after tomorrow! Excited to go to kindergarten?
The little girl nodded eagerly. Her grandma and Uncle Caleb had told her how fun kindergarten would be: playing with other kids, learning, going for walks, and making new friends. Awesome!
— So, you’re saying she’s sleeping through the night now?
— Yes, — Caleb nodded absently. — She used to wake up crying…
— Yes, that’s a reaction to… the tragic loss. But it looks like everything’s okay now. You and her grandma have done a great job. — The doctor handed Caleb the medical file. — Here’s the file. All set!
He hesitated briefly before taking it. The woman’s eyes were brown with golden flecks, warm and smiling. For a split second, Caleb felt her gaze envelop him like a soft, cozy blanket. It warmed him, soothed him, and he wanted to stay in that comforting glow forever.
— Thank you, — he said, taking the file.
He noticed, out of the corner of his eye, that she wore no wedding ring.
“Calm down, you idiot!” he scolded himself. “She’s got pretty eyes, but what’s her personality like? You don’t know, do you? You fell in love once before. Remember how that turned out?”
The morning of September 1st was sunny. Nancy Elizabeth turned the page of the album. In the photo, Caleb held a joyful little Sophie, who clutched a bundle of balloons.
— You’re here too? — a voice called from behind him.
He turned and was once again lost in the warm glow of those kind, dark eyes.
— It’s you! — Caleb couldn’t believe his eyes. It was the same pediatrician. This is fate, he thought.
— Yep, — she laughed. — I brought my son to kindergarten. I think he’s in the same group as Sophie. Maybe she’ll become friends with my Sammy. What do you think?
— Definitely! — Caleb blurted out. — And you and I… we could be friends too. What do you think?
She looked at him for a long moment, squinting slightly.
— I’m Nina, — she smiled at last.
Looking at the photo, Nancy reflected, “They took their time getting to know each other. I didn’t believe it at first either… But it all worked out! Nina turned out to be so kind…” Smiling, Nancy Elizabeth recalled the days when her son became truly happy, and Sophie couldn’t stop raving about her new kind auntie, who was as loving and attentive as her mommy had been.
— Grandma, you home? — A grown-up Sophie burst into the room. — Hey, Grandma! I brought you groceries! Quarantine’s still on, so don’t go outside, okay? Dad Caleb and Mom Nina say hi—they’ll video call tonight.
— How’s Sammy? — Nancy Elizabeth asked, standing up.
— He’s fine; he’ll stop by tomorrow. Come on, let’s have tea, Grandma! I’ve already poured it.
— Coming, dear, coming.
Nancy Elizabeth glanced at the final photo in the album. A radiant Caleb and Nina stood arm in arm. Sammy and Sophie stood nearby, gazing in awe at the bride’s snowy white dress. Closing the album, the elderly woman brewed her signature tea, and she and Sophie sat for a long time, chatting merrily.
Nancy looked at her granddaughter, beaming with pride at her achievements in school and sports. The girl had grown into a kind, good-hearted person. Only one thing dimmed Nancy’s joy: the heavens had taken her beloved family members too soon. But she believed that from those very heavens, her dear husband, daughter, and cherished son-in-law were watching, smiling down, happy that everything had turned out well for their Sophie.
No comments