Not a mother, a cuckoo, Max muttered as he stared at his newborn son.
Where are you going? he shouted, his voice cracking through the thin wall. What are you thinking?
The sudden scream of his brother ripped Olivia out of the halfsleep shed been drifting in. She propped herself up on the narrow guestroom bed, ears straining for any more noise. For the past two weeks shed been staying with her older brother Max while she hunted for a job and a flat in the city. The move had been hard, but there was no point staying in her hometownthere were no prospects there.
A highpitched baby wail filled the flat. Fourmonthold Tommy had woken up after his parents argument. Olivia winced, pulled the nightgown tighter and sat on the edge of the bed.
Ive got an interview, Lena, Maxs wife, called from the kitchen, her voice muffled by the door.
An interview? Are you out of your mind? Max shouted back, his tone rising. Youve just had a baby! What job could you possibly be thinking about? Your place is at home, with the child!
Olivia waited for Lenas reply, but the flat fell into an uneasy silence. Only Tommy continued to sob, then the front door slammed shut as Lena stormed out.
Olivia slipped out of the bedroom and headed for the kitchen. Max stood in the middle of the room, rocking the wailing infant with a helpless look that mixed anger and defeat.
Thats how it always is, he muttered when he saw Olivia. She abandons the baby and runs off to her own business.
Without a word, Olivia took Tommy from Maxs arms. The little boy gradually settled, his head buried against her shoulder. Max sank heavily onto a chair, his hands covering his face.
Lenas completely lost it, Max kept on, eyes staring into empty space. How can anyone leave a newborn and still think about work? At least my holidays started, so I can look after Tom.
Olivia gently rocked the sleepy infant, weighing Maxs words.
Max, maybe you should talk to Lena calmly, without shouting, Olivia suggested softly. She might be dealing with something. Postnatal depression is common; she may need professional help.
Max brushed her off as if swatting a fly.
Depression? No, Lenas always been a free spirit, a careerdriven woman. I hoped shed change after the baby, become a proper mother, but she shows no sign of it. She doesnt even care about the child!
Olivia wanted to argue but stayed silent. Tommy finally fell asleep and she carefully placed him in his cot.
Lena didnt return until evening. Olivia was tucking Tommy in when she heard the lock click. The sisterinlaw passed the nursery without looking inside. In the hallway Olivia saw Lena silently preparing dinner. Max sat in the living room, eyes glued to the television, deliberately ignoring his wife.
The atmosphere grew suffocating. Olivia retreated to her room and dialed her mother.
Mum, you wont believe whats happening here, Olivia whispered, recounting the days events.
Her mother sighed heavily on the other end.
Oh, dear, Lenas been like this since the baby was born. Max has complained to me many times. It seems her maternal instinct never woke up. Poor boy, it must be terrible for him. I cant even imagine how a child feels when his mother is absent.
The words lingered. Olivia lay awake, puzzling over how the gentle, caring woman shed known before pregnancy could become so cold toward her own child and husband. Something was terribly wrong.
Lena was often out of the house, disappearing from sunrise to sunset, leaving Max alone with the infant. He took Tommy to the shop, on walks, trying to juggle childcare with housework. Olivia helped where she could, but she knew this couldnt go on forever.
A week later Lena returned home with a bright look that made Olivia see a hint of a smile for the first time.
Ive got a job, Lena announced at dinner.
Max froze, spoon halfway to his mouth, his face draining of colour.
Youre joking, arent you? he barked. You have a fourmonthold son! You should be caring for him, not running off to an office!
Its my life, Lena replied coldly.
Max leapt from his seat.
Youre selfish! You only think of yourself! Thats wrong! Youre a mother; your place is beside the baby!
Olivia watched Lena retreat into the bedroom, the room closing around her. They never saw her again that night.
The next day Olivia and Max took Tommy for a walk in the park. Max pushed the pram, still complaining.
Did you see how she treats him? Our own son and shes indifferent, he said, eyeing the sleeping baby. She never picks him up, never kisses, never hugs. What kind of mother is she? Not a mother at alla cuckoo!
Olivia stayed silent, her heart aching for her brother, yet a quiet voice inside told her the story was more complicated than it seemed.
When they got back, the flat was unusually quiet. Olivia flicked on the hallway light.
Lena? You home? she called.
No answer. She walked through the roomsempty kitchen, empty living room. Max entered with Tommy cradled, headed for the bedroom. He inhaled sharply, and Olivia rushed to him.
Max stood before an open wardrobe. Half the shelves were bare; Lenas belongings had vanished.
Shes gone, Max exhaled hoarsely.
He sank onto the bed, still holding his son, his shoulders trembling.
Ungrateful! After everything Ive given heran apartment, love, marriage, a child! he shouted. She just left!
Olivia sat beside him, trying to calm him, while a cold dread settled in her chest.
Max, what could have driven her to do this? Tell me honestly what happened between you two.
Maxs eyes reddened as he stared at his sister, then fell silent, gathering his thoughts.
It was an unplanned pregnancy, he finally admitted. Lena didnt want a baby. She said she wasnt ready, wanted to focus on her career. I pressed her, saying we were thirty, it was time to settle down, have a family. She agreed, but after the birth she never loved him. I hoped motherhood would change her, that shed bond with Tom, but she just drifted farther away.
Olivias world shattered. She had thought Lenas behavior was mere temperament, but the truth was darker: Lena had been coerced into motherhood she never wanted.
Max Olivia could only manage a breathless whisper.
A few days later Maxs holiday ended. He returned to work, effectively dumping the care of Tommy onto Olivia. She didnt objectTommy was innocent in his parents fight.
A week passed. One morning Max burst into the flat, waving a stack of papers.
Shes filing for divorce! he shouted. And she wants to give up parental rights! She said on the phone, If I wanted the child, Ill take care of him myself! I have a job, an apartment, I can manage. She doesnt need any of this!
Olivia rocked her nephew in silence, absorbing Maxs tirade. With each passing day she understood Lena a little more.
The following week Olivia was practically a single parent. Max came home from work, ate dinner, collapsed on the bed. On weekends he slept or watched TV. All the rest fell to Olivia. She began to see why Lena had fledMax did nothing around the house, offered no help, only demanded.
Finally good news arrived for Olivia. She secured a job and found a modest onebedroom flat close to the office. She was ready to move out of Maxs chaotic home. Max, however, reacted badly.
Youre abandoning us too! What about Tommy? Who will look after him? How can you just walk away?
Olivia looked at her brother calmly. She knew her words would sting, but she echoed Lenas earlier stance.
You wanted a child, Max. Now you have to look after him yourself. Dont push your responsibilities onto others.
In her new flat, Olivia unpacked boxes, the quiet settling around her like a balm after weeks of infant cries and Maxs shouting. She pulled out an old photograph of herself and Max as children, both grinning. Her finger traced the image as she thought about how even the people we idolise can reveal selfish sides. Her brother, once a hero in her eyes, had shattered his wifes life. And Lena, whod been condemned, had simply been protecting herself.
Olivia placed the photo on a shelf and turned away. A fresh start awaited herher own life, built on her own terms.
Sometimes love requires letting go, and true responsibility means caring for those who cant care for themselves, even when the people you trust fail to do so. The real lesson is that freedom and compassion must walk hand in hand, lest we become the cuckoo that abandons its own nest.
