It took a misfortune to bring about a blessing.
There’s no happiness
What a disaster, you fool! Who now needs you with a child? How do you intend to raise it? I wont help you, understand that. Raising you was already a burden, and now this extra weight! I dont need youpack your things and never set foot under my roof again!
Marie heard the shouting, head bowed. Her last hope that her aunt would let her stay, at least until she found a job, faded before her eyes.
If only mother were alive
Marie never knew her father, and her mother had been run over at a crossing by a drunk driver fifteen years before. She was about to be placed in a shelter when a distant cousin of her mother suddenly appeared, took her in, and, thanks to her house and salary, secured guardianship without trouble.
The aunt lived on the outskirts of a border town in the south of France, green and warm in summer, rainy in winter. The girl lacked nothing there, was always welldressed and accustomed to household chores. Perhaps she missed maternal affection, but who really cared?
Marie was a good student. After high school she entered a teaching college. Her studies flashed by, as did the carefree days, until she returned to the town that had become her home. This time, however, the place gave her no joy.
After a tirade, the aunt finally calmed down a little:
Leave this place, I dont want to see you again!
Aunt Françoise, cant I at least
Its over, I said!
Catherine silently took her suitcase and walked out. She hadnt expected to leave like thishumiliated, rejected, and pregnantbut she had decided to tell everything.
She needed a roof over her head. Marie walked, lost in thought, oblivious to her surroundings. Summer was in full swing. Apples and pears ripened in the orchards, apricots turned golden under the sun. Vines bowed with heavy bunches, plum trees hid beneath green leaves. The air carried sweet scents of jam, grilled meat, and freshly baked bread. Her throat was dry. She approached a door and called out to a woman in the summer kitchen:
Madam, could you give me something to drink?
Louise, a sturdy woman in her fifties, turned around.
Come in, if youre here on friendly terms.
She scooped water from a bucket into a cup and handed it to the girl. Marie sat on a bench and drank greedily.
May I stay a while? Its so hot.
Rest, dear. Where are you coming from with that suitcase?
Ive finished my studies and want to teach, but I have no place to live. Do you know anyone renting a room?
Louise examined Marie. She was clean, a bit tired, and wore a worried expression.
You could live with me. I wont charge much, but you must pay on time. If thats okay, come see the room.
Louise welcomed a tenant. A few extra coins never hurt, and in their small town far from the capital, opportunities were scarce. Her son lived far away and visited rarely, so she would have someone to share long winter evenings with.
Skeptical yet grateful for the unexpected offer, Marie followed Louise. The room was small but cosy, overlooking the garden, equipped with a table, two chairs, a bed, and an old wardrobeenough for her. They quickly agreed on the rent, and the newly changed Marie headed to the education office.
Days flew bywork, home, work. Marie had no time to watch the calendar turn. She got along well with Louise, a kind and compassionate woman. They grew attached; whenever possible, Marie helped with household chores. Often in the evenings they shared tea in the garden, enjoying the gentle autumn air.
The pregnancy progressed smoothly. Catherine experienced no nausea, her face stayed bright, though she had gained weight. She confided her story to Louisea tale all too common.
In her second year, Marie fell in love. Not with just anyone, but with Paul, the only son of a welloffended academic couple who taught at the same university. They had refused to send him to Paris; his future was mapped out: studies, doctorate, then teaching or research alongside his parents.
Intelligent, courteous, sociable, he attracted many girls, yet he chose Marie. Was it her shy smile, her soft hazel eyes, her slender figure, or the inner strength she displayed? It was hard to say. What mattered was that they barely left each others side until the end of their studies. Marie imagined a rosy future with Paul.
She remembered that day vividly. In the morning she suddenly realized she could no longer tolerate food; certain smells repulsed her, and shed been feeling queasy for days. And she was late! How could she have forgotten? Marie bought a test, returned to the dormitory, drank a glass of water, and waited. It was positivetwo lines. Exams were looming, and now this! How would Paul react? Children werent part of their plans.
A wave of tenderness for the little life growing inside her rose instantly.
Little one, Marie whispered, rubbing her belly.
Informed, Paul suggested introducing her to his parents that evening. Remembering that meeting, Maries eyes filled with tears. Pauls parents urged her to abort and leave town after exams, alone. Paul needed to focus on his career; she was not enough for him.
The next day Paul slipped in silently, placed an envelope on the table, and left.
Marie had no intention of aborting. She already loved the fragile being inside her. Their life would be hard, with no one to help, but after careful thought she decided to keep the money Paul had left, knowing she would need it.
After recounting everything, Louise comforted her:
These things happen; its not the worst. You did right keeping the baby. He isnt to blame and will bring you comfort. With time, perhaps things will improve.
But Marie could no longer bear to hear Pauls name. The memory of his rejection was still raw; she couldnt forgive the humiliation, let alone consider reconciliation.
Time passed. No longer able to work, she moved around like a cane, counting the days until her childs birth. The ultrasound couldnt tell whether it was a boy or a girl, but it didnt matter as long as the baby was healthy.
At the end of February, on a Saturday, contractions began. Louise took her to the hospital, where she delivered a robust, healthy boy.
My little Pierre, she murmured, stroking his round cheek.
Marie befriended the women in the ward. They told her a customs captains partner had given birth two days earlier, then abandoned the infant, feeling unready.
Can you imagine? He covered the baby with flowers, gave gifts to the staff, visited daily! But she didnt want children and left a note of abandonment. Crazy!
What about the baby?
Theyre feeding him with a bottle. A nurse suggested breastfeeding, but who would do it? Everyone has their own child to feed.
During lunch, the abandoned infant was brought in.
Someone to nurse her? Shes so fragile, the nurse said, looking at the new mothers.
Give her to me; we wont let a baby suffer, Marie said, gently placing her own son down and taking the little one.
Oh, shes so white, so tiny! Shell be called Manon.
Compared to Pierre, she seemed minute. Marie put the baby to her breast, and the child latched eagerly.
Shes so weak, the nurse remarked.
Thus Marie was feeding two babies at once.
Two days later a nurse announced that the captain, the little girls father, would come to meet the woman who was nursing his daughter. Marie met Captain Duboisa mediumbuilt man with piercing blue eyes.
The events that followed became talk of the entire hospital, then of the whole town, their story destined to be remembered.
On the day of her discharge, doctors, nurses, and aides gathered outside the hospital where a car adorned with pink and blue balloons waited. The young officer, shoulderpadded, helped Marie into the vehicle where Louise was already seated, handing her first a blue package, then a pink one.
The horns blared, the car rolled away around the corner.
Thus life moves onunpredictable and full of unimaginable surprises.
It Took a Misfortune to Bring a Blessing
