Found someone to have a child with, Ethel announced.
From whom did you have a child! Margaret Green shouted, her voice sharp.
I told you, from Victor! Ethel replied.
Its not about who the man is, its that youve finally found a father for a baby! Margaret snapped.
Mom, you wont believe me if I say it was an accident, Ethel said, smiling shyly.
You can get pregnant by accident, but you cant accidentally give birth, dear, Margaret said, eyes narrowed. Or are you saying it happened in a fit of passion?
Ethel went on, I got pregnant, then thought What the hell? and now the little boy says his first words: Hello, Mum!
It wasnt like that, Ethel whispered, pressing her lips together. It was during a period when everything seemed fine.
Lord, its been five years of ups and downs! You should have realised by now that a relationship with Victor is a dead end! Margaret retorted.
I thought he had changed! Ethel protested.
A decent person can change, not someone who starts off charming and then makes you want to kill him! Margaret flailed her arms. Hes wasted so many of your nerves, and you keep going back for reasons I cant understand!
Its like stepping on a rakeeveryone else learns quickly, but you keep getting bruised!
If you dont like that Ive taken you back, I can leave! Ethel said, hurt.
To Victor? Margaret asked, laughing.
Ethel smiled too. Even the worstcase scenario didnt make sense.
I could rent a flat, Ethel said. I have savings, even child support. I wont disappear!
Fine, Margaret sighed. No ones chasing you. So whats your plan now?
Well raise Elliott together, then Ill go back to work and put him in school, Ethel answered.
What about the dad? Margaret asked.
Nothing yet. Victor wants to marry me and be the official father, but
Has he been entered on the birth certificate? Margaret wondered.
Why would I? What could he give the child? Hes all talk, a rooster in the sky, and I dont even know who to compare him to!
He promised me a car for the birth and a flat if I agreed to marry him!
When he came last week to see the baby I asked, Do you want to see your son? You know you have to support him. He handed me a crisp five hundred pounds. The baby is only a month and a half old!
What? Margaret asked, intrigued.
She only appeared at the storys end. Ethel shoved the money into Victors pocket, told him it wouldnt even buy nappies, and tossed him out.
The next day he called, demanding I let him see the child. I told him to recognise paternity officially, otherwise Id file a counterclaim for maintenance, Ethel smirked. He fell silent.
Oh, Ethel, Margaret shook her head. Where do you find these men? First husband was a surprise, now Victor! Hell only bring more trouble.
Im shooing him away, but he never goes. He curses, insults, hurts, lies, and it rolls off him like water off a ducks back. Im done. Im not going to be with him again. Hes all talk, no action.
Why did you even have a child with him? Margaret asked again.
Mom, Im already thirtyfour
Ethels tangled love life became the talk of friends and neighbours. Whenever her name came up, people were curious because no one else got into messes like hers.
Nature gave Ethel beauty and a sharp mind, but no one could explain her odd taste in men.
Her first serious relationship began at university, when she moved in with a boxer called Brett. She was drawn to his physique; his brain, frankly, was missing.
What were you thinking, getting involved with him? He has no brain, only a gut! Margaret asked.
I hoped hed work out both his muscles and his head, Ethel defended.
Did you ever explain that you only wanted to dance while his head stayed undeveloped? Margaret teased. Or did you think I didnt hear?
Brett tried to keep up, but after a few fights he gave up his freedom for two years to atone, as Ethel put it.
Later, Ethel met Andrew. He had a good look and a brain to match. He adored her, though his job was always a mess. He earned enough, but Ethel, after university, earned twice as much.
She expected him to push for a promotion, and she would help if needed. Andrew never argued with her; he admitted she was smarter and the head of the family. They married, with Ethels parents footing the bill.
Two years later, Andrew got jealous of a colleague and took a night out with her at a work party. He turned it into something more, and when they got home, he beat Ethel badly. She ended up in hospital, then left the flat, staying with a friend. Their house still held her belongings, jewellery and the money shed saved for a car.
Andrew claimed ignorance, that hed never seen the stuff, that the house only contained his things, and that she couldnt prove anything. He called it compensation for her infidelity. The police got involved. The items were later found in a rubbish skip; the moneys origin was unclear, but the jewellery was proved to be hers from photos shed posted online.
When Andrew refused to return them, Ethel filed a theft report, then withdrew it after he finally gave back the money for the car. She told friends that the second husband ended up behind bars, but that was just gossip.
Then Victor appeared. For five years Ethel never met anyone else. She chose Victor because he seemed safeno violence, endless compliments, and he promised everything. He never delivered. He was a talker, not a doer.
Ethel lived away from her hometown, having moved to a bigger city for college and never left. She rented a modest flat on the fifth floor of a council block, cheap enough to save for her own place.
When she started seeing Victor, she also met his mother, who gushed over Ethels looks and intelligence, promising to help with renovations. The work never finished; three years passed with no progress.
One day, while Ethel was driving her car to Victors, she felt cramps and rushed to his mothers bathroom. Nothing changed in the flat for three yearsno sign of a renovation.
She finally decided to send Victor packing, refusing his excuses that the renovation was delayed because he wanted to surprise her with a flat when they married. Shed learned her lesson and didnt trust his promises.
After four years together, Victor sabotaged her contraception. When Ethel told him she was pregnant, he suddenly became attentive, gave money, and acted like a proper father. But after three months he vanished, missing the abortion deadline and the birth itself. He didnt show up for the delivery or the discharge. Ethel informed him through a mutual friend, refusing to rely on social media.
She gave birth, then returned to her mothers town with the baby. Victor turned up demanding visitation rights, saying he wanted to be recognised as a father but hadnt registered at the registry office.
Mom, Im thirtyfour now! When will I find a decent husband? Ethel repeated.
Are you still thinking of Victor? Margaret asked.
No, of course not. Hes just a donor, nothing more. He wont take responsibility. Ill get rid of him, at least I have my son!
Just then the doorbell rang.
Whos that? Ethel called, heading to the door.
Ethel, its me! VictorVictor stumbled inside, pleading for a chance to see his son before disappearing forever.
