May
I had just left home. I took the earliest bus I could find and left my hometown. I didn’t tell anyone. Not my Mom, nor my elder sister Summer, not even my own twin sister, April. I was Eighteen and pregnant, I felt like a disappointment. I was so embarrassed, so ashamed of our my family would react. I was so sure hearing about it would kill my Mom. She had so much faith in me. Such high hopes. But I ruined everything when I got pregnant for the rich PhD guy whose father was my Mom’s Boss. I knew she would probably die from guilt because she was the one who introduced us to each other.
That aside, she always joked around that she wouldn’t be surprised if my twin April brought home a pregnancy. April was the pretty one, with the luscious honey brown hair and matching brown eyes. April was the wild one. The one who cut classes and skipped school, the one who stayed out late past her curfew, the one who fooled around with dangerous people, the one who was all about exploring her sexuality. And I was the nice twin. The one who had blonde straws for hair. The one who had a perfect attendance, the one who was indoors the whole day, the one who was still a virgin and hadn’t even had her first kiss, the one who went to work with her on weekends. Don't get me wrong, My twin is nice and warmhearted but sometimes she can also be impulsive.
Telling my Mom that her good twin is pregnant would have been fatal to her. So I did what I thought was best.
I was seventeen and already preparing for college when Ben and I first met, it was a few weeks before my Eighteen birthday that things became intimate between us, technically I was still a minor and still in high school and he was 25 and doing his PhD. And our hometown is in one of the untied states where the legal consent age is 18 so we had to keep our relationship a secret. Nobody knew, not even my twins who I told everything.
I remember vividly how Donna and I met. I had run away and was at a bus stop where I planned to board another bus and get as far as possible as my little savings could take me.
The bus station was nearly deserted in the late hours of the night, with the only signs of life being the dim overhead lights and the occasional distant rumble of a departing bus. I stood there, nervously glancing around as I waited for the late-night bus that would take me to a new beginning, or so I hoped.
I glance at the huge clock in the bus station:2:43 AM. My heart pounded with anxiety, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of fear and vulnerability in the dark, empty station.
A soothing voice cut through the silence, drawing my attention. "Excuse me, dear. Are you all right?"
I turned to see a woman who appeared to be in her sixties, with silver hair that shimmered under the faint station lights. She wore a kind smile and a long coat that swayed gently as she approached me.
"I'm just... waiting for the bus," I replied hesitantly, my voice trembling slightly. I had never met this woman before, and it felt strange to be approached by a stranger at this hour.
She extended a hand, her gesture warm and reassuring. "I'm Donna Russo. You look like you could use a friend right now."
Relief washed over me as I shook her hand. "May. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Russo."
"You can call me Donna," she said, her smile never wavering. "Now, tell me, May, what brings you to this lonely bus station in the middle of the night?"
I hesitated for a moment, debating whether to share my story with this stranger. But there was something about Donna's presence that put me at ease, and I found myself opening up.
"I left my hometown," I began, my voice barely above a whisper. "I had to... get away."
Donna listened attentively, her expression never judgmental, as I recounted the events that led to my departure. I told her about my pregnancy, my fear of disappointing my family, and the decision to leave it all behind. I don’t know what made me pour out my sad tale.
When I finished, Donna placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "May, you've been through a lot, haven't you?"
I nodded, tears welling up in my eyes. "Yes. But I had to do it—for my own sake and for the sake of my unborn child." Back then I didn’t know I was expecting twins. The only thing I knew was that I was pregnant and I wanted to keep it.
Donna's eyes reflected genuine empathy. "You're a brave young woman, May. It's not easy to make such a decision, but you followed your heart."
The bus arrived with a soft hiss of air brakes, and I wiped away a tear before turning to Donna. "Thank you for listening, Donna. I should get on the bus now."
But Donna's gentle grip on my arm stopped me. "May, are you sure you want to go through with this? You don't have to leave here in the dead of night. If you need a place to stay, you're more than welcome to come with me. My home is just a short drive away, and you can stay for as long as you like."
I blinked in surprise, touched by her offer. "That's really kind of you, Donna, but I couldn't impose like that."
Donna chuckled softly. "Nonsense, dear. You're not imposing at all. It gets lonely living alone, and I've always believed in helping those in need."
I hesitated for a moment, torn between the unknown path that awaited me on the bus and the warmth and kindness offered by this stranger. Finally, I made my decision.
"Okay, Donna," I said, my voice filled with gratitude. "I'll accept your offer."
Donna's smile widened, and she motioned for me to follow her. "Wonderful! My car is just outside."
As we walked out of the bus station together, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. In Donna Russo, I had found an unexpected guardian angel, someone who had reached out to me in my darkest hour.
The drive to Donna's home was quiet but comfortable. She shared stories about her life, her love for gardening, and her late husband, all of which made me feel like I was getting to know her better.
When we arrived at her charming house, nestled among trees and gardens, I was struck by the peacefulness of the place. It was a stark contrast to the chaos and uncertainty I had left behind.
Donna led me inside and offered me a cozy guest room with a comfortable bed. "Make yourself at home, May. You're safe here."
Over the following days, I settled into a routine at Donna's house. She introduced me to her neighbors, who welcomed me with open arms, and we spent evenings chatting over cups of tea. Donna's kindness knew no bounds, and she made sure I felt like part of her extended family.
One sunny morning, as we sipped tea on her porch, I couldn't help but express my gratitude. "Donna, I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me. You've been my lifeline."
Donna smiled warmly. "May, you're like a daughter to me now. My josh and I never had kids, no matter how hard we tried. You needed help, and I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time."
As the days turned into weeks, Donna's support became a pillar of strength for me. She helped me prepare for the arrival of my child, teaching me valuable parenting lessons and sharing her knowledge on everything. Her wisdom and guidance were invaluable.
Finally, the day came when I went into labor. Donna rushed me to the hospital, staying by my side throughout the process.
My scan never showed that I was having twins, so it was a huge surprise when after eight hours of enduring labor pain, I pushed out my Alistair. I felt relief for about five minutes before I felt the labor stab again in my stomach, at first I got scared and screamed for the doctor. He took one look at me and announced that the second baby is here, he was always surprised as he was my doctor for the whole of my pregnancy and there was never any indication of me carrying twins. He quickly called back his colleagues who’d helped with Alistair’s birth, and we made quick work of getting Amanda out. She was so much smaller than Alistair, according to the Doctor it was because Alistair had hid her in the womb so he ended up with more food and nutrients than she did. He assured me that she’d get bigger within the first few weeks.
When I held my newborn babies for the first time,one on each hand, tears of joy streamed down my face.
Donna was there, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "They are beautiful, May. You're going to be an amazing mother."
With Donna's support, I felt more confident in my new role as a mother. She became a beloved grandmother figure to my kids.
As time passed, Donna and I grew even closer, forming a bond that was as strong as any family connection. She was a constant source of love and strength, and I could never repay her for all she had done for me. I stayed with for two more years until I felt comfortable doing things on my home. I saved up all I made from working various jobs and it was finally enough for me to get my own place. She took it really hard when I told her I wanted to move out with the kids. But after steady reassurance, she came to terms with it.