Chapter 5
1096 Words
Sara's POV
‘I can’t do this anymore, Lily!’ I cried out, holding my newborn son in my arms. "It's too hard. "
Lily immediately went over to me and put her arm around me, “Sara, it’s alright, we are going to get through this. ”
I gazed at my baby boy, he was fast asleep and his small face was all red with anger. He was flawless, while I did not know what to do with myself.
The past few months were filled with doctors’ visits, sleepless nights, and constant stress about finances. Without Lily, I really can’t imagine how I would have gotten through it.
“I hate him,” I muttered looking at the man who was to be blamed for putting me in such a position. A common remark that people say when they are angry and disappointed is; “I will never forgive him for this. ”
Lily sighed and ran her small fingers over the baby’s face. “I understand it is difficult but do not let anger rule you and it is not healthy for you or little Jamie. ”
I gave a vigorous head bend after he said this, but in my mind, I knew that I could not surrender to forgiving him. Not yet, anyway.
Weeks turned into months. Jamie got bigger and I focused on being the best mother that I could for her. It wasn't easy. I remember days when I could hardly pay for diapers, not to mention anything, even for myself. But somehow, we managed.
Then came the day that changed everything.
I had at long last got a job in a bank with the help of Lily’s cousin. It was not much but at least it was something done for the cause. I was not willing to wait for a job to be created for me I was ready to climb the ladder.
“Good morning, Mr. Clark,” I said to Mr. Clark, putting on the professional smile that I had learned to perfect in front of my new customer. Hi, nice to meet you! My name is Sara, and I will be your account manager.
The man looked up and suddenly I was struck dumb. I knew those eyes. That face. It was him. Ben Clark. My child’s father.
He smiled, oblivious. : Hello, nice to meet you, Sara, it was good to hear that I will be banking with you.
I was very lucky to endure the meeting and not scream or faint. My mind was racing. How could this be happening?
When I got home, I flung the door open and ran inside the house, which made Lily jump as she was babysitting Jamie.
“Lily you won’t believe what happened today. ” I exclaimed as I collapsed on the couch.
She looked at me, worried. “What is it? Are you alright?”
I closed my eyes for a moment and then sighed. ”I came face to face with him, Jamie’s father that is, he is a client of our bank. ”
Lily's eyes widened. "What? Are you sure?"
I nodded. >Positive. It’s him. But he did not even know me.
“What are you going to do?” Lily asked.
I got up from the couch and walked around the limited space of the living room. “I don’t know… There is a part of me that would like to freeze his account and report him for r****g and abandoning me. ”
Lily gasped. Said a woman called Sara, You can’t do that! That is against the law!
“I know, I know,” I sighed and raked a hand through my hair. But don’t I deserve something? Don’t we deserve something after all that we have experienced and all that we have gone through?
Lily got up, putting her palms on my shoulders. Sara, please listen to me. Of course, you have every right to be angry right now, but you can’t go around doing something that is against the law.
I sighed, feeling deflated. ‘So what should I do?’
Lily paused for a while. ”Why don’t you tell him? Maybe explain the situation to him? If he has any shame, he’ll want to sort it out. ”
‘But if he doesn’t?’ I asked.
“Then we will go to the court,” Lily answered confidently. But let’s give the non-violent approach a shot, alright?”
I gave a brief nod of my head although I was still lost deep in my thoughts. "Okay. I'll try. "
That very night, as I was in bed trying to sleep, I couldn’t sleep. I could not help but imagine Ben Clark, sitting in that office, knowing he has a son out there but does not know him. A small part of me felt like getting right in his face and telling him to take responsibility. Another part of me wanted to run away and never see him again.
The following morning I was dressing for work, my hands more unsteady than usual. Today was the day. I was going to call Ben Clark and explain the situation with Jamie to him.
The moment I entered the bank I felt my heart beating with much force. Fortunately, he was at our bank that day again, sitting in the lobby. He smiled when he saw me, and for a moment I stopped what I was doing and felt weak. Could I do this?
“Good morning, Mr. Clark,” I said, my tone more calm than I was. In every conversation I have with people there is always a way I begin the conversation and the following is how I am likely to start the conversation with you:
He looked at me, interested. "Oh? What's that?"
I sighed. This was it. No turning back now.
‘’Mr. Clark, do you recall the night that was approximately one and a half years ago when you were at The Red Lion bar?’’
His brow furrowed. "I'm not sure. Why?"
“Because that night changed my life,” I said, I could hardly speak above a whisper. And yours too, though you did not know it. ”
Ben's face paled. ‘I don’t understand what you are saying. ’
I stared right into his eyes and said: Mrs. Clark: ‘Mr. Clark, I have a son And he’s yours.
Those words floated between us. On the face of Ben, one could see the expressions of confusion, disbelief, and shock.
‘That’s… that’s impossible,” he finally spluttered.
- Writer
