What a joy, my boy has arrived, Evelyn exclaimed, her voice trembling with a mixture of relief and dread.
Nicholas clutched his flat cap at the doorway. Greetings, Mother. Im not alone, he said, pausing, and heres my lad. He nudged forward a thin, spectacled youngster with a canvas rucksack slung over his shoulders.
My word, a grandgrandson! Is that Tommy or Henry? I cant tell without his glasses.
Nicholas sank onto a wooden chair. Put them on, then. This is Billy, my son out of wedlock. Remember when I and Mabel were apart for a year? During that time I fell in with Valerie, and Billy was the result. I signed his birth register in my own name, foolishly.
Evelyn snapped at him, What are you prattling about in front of a child? Hes too young to know the crooked turns of your life. Billy, go to the sittingroom and watch the telly while your father and I sort things out.
The boy rose without a word and slipped into the next room. Evelyn whispered, Does Mabel know about him?
Mabel never liked my wife, always quarrelsome and sharptongued, Nicholas muttered.
Evelyn shivered. You think, mother, that if she had found out shed have fled the house barefoot? Yet I built this boy from the ground up with my own hands.
Evelyn sighed, Youre a rogue, not a man. Youve lived beneath Mabels heel all your life, and now you bring a stray son into the mix. If Mabel learns, itll be the end of us.
Nicholas, becoming agitated, tried to explain. Valerie, a proper woman, was about to marry a sailor. She ran off with a new fellow down south for a month, then called me. She said, Take the boy wherever you like, even home. I told her Id go mad, that I had a wife who would throw us both out. She warned me shed make life hard. Ill give Mabel the birth certificate and youll sort it out. Thats all. Im at my wits end. Valerie barely forgave me, didnt speak to me for half a year. So I thought, let him stay with you a month, then Ill fetch him. He didnt even look at his mother.
Evelyn shook her head. Youve been that way since childhood and never changed. If anything, Ill help you. Where shall we put him? Leave the lad here. He isnt of our stock, she hesitated, Are you sure hes yours?
Nicholas waved his hand. Hes mine, no doubt. Valerie isnt sweet, but shes a faithful woman.
Silence fell. Evelyn sprang up. What am I doing sitting here? Lets at least feed him before he goes.
Nicholas rose. Forgive me, Mother, but I must be off. Mabels waiting at home. I told her I was heading to town for spare parts. Feed Billy, Ill be on my way.
Evelyn embraced her errant son and whispered, God be with you, my blood.
Billy ate swiftly, eyes never leaving his plate.
More, dear? Evelyn asked, pitying his haste.
No, thank you, he replied, rising from the table.
Take a walk outside while I finish dinner. Whats in that rucksack of yours? she inquired.
Just my things, he muttered.
Will you wash them yourself, or must I?
For the first time he met her with frightened eyes. I cant. Mother always did the washing.
Evelyn lifted his small sack. Go, then, and Ill rinse whats dirty.
He vanished, and she began sorting the modest contents: two shirts, a pair of shorts, and a couple of underpants.
Hardly a lot, she chuckled, Not even a warm jumper. The mother must be a poor soul. She soaked the garments in a basin and turned to bake a cherry pie.
A sudden cry rose from the lane. Evelyn hurried out, flour still clinging to her apron.
Whats happened?
Billy wailed, clutching his leg. A goose pecked me. It hurts! Tears streamed down his face.
Why were you near them? They were grazing out back while you were in the yard, she asked, eyeing the red sore on his shin.
I only wanted to look at them, Billy sobbed.
Youve never seen geese before? she asked, surprised.
I have, but never got close, he whispered.
Very well, lets get you into the house, Ill rub some ointment on that wound, she said, taking his hand.
After supper she laid him on the settee, unable to sleep. What a tangled life this had become! She would never have sent her own child to a strangers care. The old woman, perhaps, was a stubborn sort. The child, a ragged boy, his trousers more precious than gold.
A soft whimper reached her ears; she recognized the sound of a boy crying. She eased closer. Whats the matter, my son? Dont you like it here?
He lifted his head, voice trembling. She wont take me back. I overheard Uncle Victor telling Mother that when they return theyll send me to a boarding school, only to fetch me for holidays. I dont want that. I was happy at home with Mother. Until Uncle Victor arrives, Im not needed. Uncle Colin never even calls me by name. Youre kind, Grandmother, but Im no use to you either.
Evelyns heart clenched. She wrapped her arms around his frail frame. Dont cry, Billy boy. I wont let you be hurt. Shall I speak to your mother and have you stay with me? We have a good school here, teachers, and we can walk for mushrooms and berries, milk our cow. Youre thin now, but a good draught of milk will give you strength. Dont you believe me?
She added, Tomorrow Ill introduce you to Peter, a sturdy lad as solid as a biscuit. Hell show you how milk can make you strong.
He clutched her neck. Ill stay, if you keep your word.
Evelyn kissed his crown gently. I promise.
Years slipped by. Virginia, a sister of Evelyns, visited now and then, bringing trinkets, yet always hurried away by Victors urging. Nicholas appeared infrequently. Mabel learned of Billy and blamed not her husband but Evelyn, claiming she didnt need any grandchildren, only the little bits that came her way.
Evelyn cared little for the blame. The skinny boy grew into a sturdy man. Each morning she prepared his favourite dishes, glancing out the window, hopeful.
One day a young soldier entered the house, his voice low. Grandmother, Im home, where are you?
Evelyn rushed to his side, wrapping an arm around his neck. Billy, my dear grandson!
Will you go with mother? she asked. He set his fork down, surprised. Which mother? The one who tossed me aside and only once a year brings me trinkets? No, I wont go. You are my mother, and thats settled, no discussion. He ate calmly.
Evelyn wiped a stray tear, grateful for the grandson she had at last, a comfort and aid in her twilight years. Her blood, her family, at last, truly hers.
