shadows

they came for her, stayed for him (3)

It hadn’t been what Fanny would call a pleasant conversation. They were playing with their baby when the phone rang. The smile was wiped from Fanny’s face when she saw who it was. She threw up her hands. Walked out to the outer room, before answering.

“Hello mother. How can I be of help today?”

She got her mother’s exasperated laugh in reply.

“Where are you?” Came her mother’s question in reply.

“Out,” Fanny answered, honestly.

“Oh really? And I thought you had gone invisible at home. Or maybe slipped into another dimension. So even though we were in the same room, I wasn’t able to see you. How happy I am knowing you are actually just out.”

“Mum. What is it?”

“You tell me. What do you think it is?”

“Alright. Fine. I’m sorry. I should have called. Told you where I am. I apologise. What do you want now?”

“Come home. Right now.”

“Mum. I can’t.”

“Fanny. You’re not listening. I don’t care about your opinion. I’m telling you to come home right now. And that means, you can. And you will. Am I clear?”

“Crystal.”

“Good. I’ll see you.”

“Bye. Mum.”

Fanny walked back into the bedroom.

“Emilia, Emil, I have to go home.”

“Mum?” Emilia asked.

“Yeah,” Fanny said, nodding, and meeting Emilia’s eyes. “I think she knows.”

“Of course she does. You’re not subtle. And you did make the reservation on your card.”

“I did.”

“Clearly, you weren’t trying to make a secret of it. Let me think. She also knows about the fight.”

“Yes. She does.”

Fanny was embarrassed. Emilia’s smile didn’t falter.

“She doesn’t like me very much anymore. Maybe she’ll ask you”

“No,” Fanny cut in. “Let’s not try to figure out what mum will say. I’ll go home. She’ll tell me what she’s thinking. I’ll let you know. It’ll be fine. Alright? I’m not losing you again. And after what we’ve been through, I think we’re better off sticking together.”

“Good luck convincing your mum.”

Fanny glared at her friend. Played with her boy a whole minute. Kissed him. Said goodbye. And left.

Around forty five minutes later, she was home.

-

It was just mother and daughter at lunch. Still, they ate in silence. And then, they went to Fanny’s room. Where the conversation began.

“How did you find out?” Fanny asked.

“It’s a hospital. There will be people. Many people. People who recognise you. People who know you. People who know me. People who would call me. And it wasn’t very difficult for me to ask around. Wasn’t a big mystery what brought you to the hospital. How is she? How is he?”

“They’re both fine, mum. They’re both very good.”

“Good. Good. I have nothing to say about what you did. I heard about the hospital. The night. I can only say, good job.”

“Thank you mum.”

“What we do have to ask about is what happens now. You put your name down as a mother?”

“Yes.”

“Are you out of your mind?”

“No, mother. I am of sound mind. I know what I am doing. It was all well thought out. And acted upon with clear intent. I am Emil’s mother. He will grow up with two mothers.”

“And any plans about your marriage?”

“Not really. I will marry. The right guy. Or some guy. I don’t know. I know I will marry. And that man will be Emil’s father. Emil will have two mothers and a father. If I can’t find someone who can accept that, then it’ll be just two mothers for poor Emil. But I don’t believe that. There will be many guys who would be completely fine with that. One of them would be the guy for me.”

Her mother was quiet, studying her a long while. And then sighed, as if in defeat.

“I don’t understand you. Both of you girls. What are you going to tell Emil, and the rest of the world? That his father is dead? His biological father.”

“Yes,” Fanny said, jumping at the idea. “That’s a great idea. We’ll say, there was a guy. He died. And it was always Emilia’s and my plan to both be mothers. Worked out great, since the father died anyway.”

“Alright Fanny. Just as you care for your son, I care for my daughter. And so, I will say this. I do not approve. Not of your friendship with that woman who you grew to hate so bad and then suddenly love again overnight. Not of your decision of calling yourself his mother. Not of any of this. And so, you will stop. Here. Now. I know, it doesn’t sound easy. Not even acceptable. You will want to fight it. So, I have a suggestion. A middle ground. You will go away. A few years. Three. Five. One of the two. When you return, if you still feel the same, then, I will be convinced. Think over it. Give me your decision tonight. Until then, stay in your room.”

This wasn’t a suggestion. Fanny knew her mother well enough to know this. She didn’t get up from the bed. She watched her mother leave. She wasn’t surprised when she heard the sound of the door locking after her mother left. She let out a smile. And fell back on the bed. She decided to give it a real good thinking.