Nina Parker still remembers the day she had to decide the fate of another womans child. It was a Wednesday, and her husband, Victor, came home from work earlier than usual, his face darker than storm clouds. Without a word, he handed her an envelope.
«What’s happened?» she asked.
«Veras gone. Without my consent, they cant send Jamie to an orphanage.»
Nina had known about her husbands son long before they married. A typical storyVictor had fallen in love while serving in the army. After his service, he brought the girl back with him, renting a small flat. But she quickly packed her things and returned home. Later, a telegram arrived: «Congratulations, you have a son.» Victor never shared what went wrong between them, and Nina never pressed. What was the point in dredging up the past?
When Nina was four months pregnant, the ex unexpectedly appeared with one-year-old Jamie in tow. She made a scene, demanding to rekindle things. Victor sent her away, choosing his wife.
Nina never blamed himhow could she hold a grudge over something that happened before they met? Vera filed for child support, which Victor paid faithfully, and after that, she never wrote or called. Years later, they learned she had married twice and, unable to bear the second divorce, took her own life.
By then, Nina and Victor had two children of their ownJohn, just a year younger than Jamie, and little Emily, barely one. Theyd decided to have a second child after buying their own homea modest wooden house with four rooms, no modern comforts, but a yard, a shed, and a vegetable patch. After years in a cramped rented flat, it felt like heaven. John had spent the first week racing through the rooms like a mad thing.
Raising another womans child Of course, Nina had never expected this. Shed last seen the boy seven years ago and knew nothing about him. What was he like? What had he been through? It was terrifying. Even with her own wild handful, John, she sometimes strugglednow thered be two boys, nearly the same age. Would they get along? Victor worked long hoursthe children were mostly her responsibility. These thoughts flashed through her mind in seconds. Victor sat silent in the hallway, his face ashen.
Her heart twistedsuddenly, she imagined herself in his shoes. What would she do if an orphans fate came knocking at her own sons door? The answer was clear.
«Victor, of course well take him. Hes your sonour childrens brother. If we turn him away, how could we live with ourselves? Where two can manage, three can too. Well make it work.»
A month later, Jamie arrived. Quiet, shy, obedientnothing like bold, rowdy John. Perhaps that difference saved themthe suddenly appearing older brother didnt try to lead, happy to follow, and the boys quickly bonded. Emily, sweet and funny, lightened every moment. She seemed to love the whole world.
In autumn, Jamie started primary school. He did wellhis mother must have prepared him. Money was tight, but Victor worked tirelessly, and Nina later took a job too. The children grew, becoming real helpers around the house. They lived happily, never treating Jamie as anything but family.
When James got into university, Nina fell seriously ill. Hospitalised for months, she underwent surgery. It was terrifying, but she refused to despairshe thought of her children, still finding their way, and clung to the belief shed recover for them. She wanted to see them grown, happy, and to meet her grandchildren. But the ordeal broke Victor. He started drinking heavily.
At eighteen, James became the familys rock. He switched to remote studies, found work, and visited Nina almost dailyreading to her, asking for recipes John and Emily loved, bringing her samples. He hid the worst from herthat John had fallen in with a bad crowd and faced charges. Thankfully, he avoided prison, getting probation instead.
Nina recovered. Her marriage never didshe couldnt forgive Victors weakness when she needed him most. Fortunately, the house was big enoughthey lived like strangers under one roof. He tried quitting the drink, but still spiralled now and then.
A year ago, James brought home his bridea girl hed loved since nursery. Training to be a psychologist, she immediately set to work helping her father-in-law fight his demons. Life moved on. Soon, grandchildren would fill the housethe newlyweds had just learned they were expecting twins.
Every day, Nina thanks God for her eldest son, certain shes alive only because she once made room in her heart for another womans child.
