“Forgive Me, My Daughter”
Emily, Emmy, wait… Ive been waiting for you since morning. They gave me your address at the childrens home The unfamiliar voice reached Emily before she could even step out of the building.
Who are you? she demanded, glancing at her watch out of habit.
Im your your father, Emmy, the man said hesitantly, offering a small smile.
Youre mistaken. I dont have a fathernever have. Emily replied curtly, turning away and hurrying toward her car parked nearby. Outwardly, she kept her composure, but inside, her heart raced, and her cheeks burned as if radiating heat.
She slid into the drivers seat, fastened her seatbelt, and turned the ignition.
Emmy, wait I just wanted to talk, I
The man rushed to the car, his hands outstretched, but Emily pulled away, leaving him standing in confusion on the pavement. His dejected figure lingered in her rearview mirror.
At the petrol station, she bought coffee and dialed her husband.
David, there was some madman outside the flat When you take Oliver out, keep an eye on him, alright? Her voice wavered despite her efforts to stay calm.
What madman? David teased.
How should I know? Just some bloke!
Maybe an admirer? he joked.
Not funny. Im leaving.
Have a good day, love. Ill watch Oliver like a hawk.
Right
She hung up and drove to work, her thoughts restless all day.
Emily had never known a father. Logically, she understood one existed, but shed never laid eyes on him. Raised in a childrens home, her memories of her mother were faintscattered fragments from early childhood.
Later, she learned from the caretakers that her mother, a young woman taken by illness, had passed away. With no relatives willing to take her in, Emily had been placed in care.
Her childhood hadnt been happylife in an institution seldom wasbut shed been fortunate in one regard: the home was decent, and the staff kind. Most children there had been abandoned or removed from neglectful parents. Few, like Emily, had lost their mothers.
Part of her clung to the knowledge that her mother hadnt willingly left her. Yet she envied the otherstheir mothers were alive, somewhere. They could hope. Emily had no one to wait for.
By adulthood, shed settled on a conclusion: her father had abandoned her mother upon learning of the pregnancy. Hed never wanted her.
Youre awfully quiet today, her colleague Lucy remarked at lunch.
Just tired, Emily lied with a smile.
In truth, the mornings encounter haunted her. Could that man truly be her father? Why now? The thoughts swarmed like bees, refusing to settle. By evening, shed steadied herself. Shed lived without him. Why should a stranger upend her life now? She had a familyDavid, their four-year-old Oliver. That was what mattered.
Yet when she returned home, she was mistaken.
Im back, she called out.
There you are! We were starting to worry, David answered from the kitchen.
How was your first day off? Not regretting pulling Oliver from nursery yet?
Not at all. Weve been grand. Watching telly now. Em that man earlierhes your father, David said carefully.
David, dont.
He explained everything
I dont care what he said! Why did you even speak to him? Even if he is my father, I dont need him now. Where was he when I was in that home? Drop it, David. I wont discuss it.
Sleep eluded her that night, not even pills helping. The next morning, she made breakfast, roused David, and left for workonly to find the man waiting again.
Emily, please! Five minutes! I never knew you existed!
If you dont stop harassing me, Ill call the police! She drove off, leaving him staring after her.
The day passed in a haze, her mind circling back to her parents. That evening, male voices greeted her at the door. David and the stranger sat at the kitchen table.
David, have you lost your mind? she hissed, mindful of Oliver.
Just hear him out, Em. William here didnt know about you. You always say everyone deserves forgiveness.
Tears spilled down her cheeks.
Emmy, dont cry. I swear, I never knew. My motheryour grandmotheronly told me on her deathbed that I had a daughter. I loved your mother, truly. But life Ive no excuses. Just let me explain.
Trapped, Emily sat. William began his tale.
I met your mother, Anna, by chance. She worked at a shop near my parents house. We fell in love, planned to marry. Then I was called up for service. While I was away, Anna came to my motherpregnant. Mum turned her away, called her an orphan not fit for our family. Later, she wrote to me, claiming Anna had married another. I believed her. After my service, I never returned home. Only as Mum lay dying did she confessAnna had a daughter.
Emily wept as he spoke.
Dont cry, love. Ive no right to ask, but forgive me. Dont send me away. I found Annas grave I thought Id die alone. Now Ive a daughter, a grandson. Ive a housemy parents. Its yours by right.
Later, after William left, David asked, What will you do?
I dont know.
Hes leaving tomorrow to sort his affairs. Maybe see him off at the station?
Well decide in the morning.
At the platform, Emily spotted William first. Their eyes metand for the first time, she smiled at him. He slowed, returning the smile.
Minutes later, he held Oliver in his arms.
Ill be back for good in a month. Well sort the house paperwork then.
Theres time, Emily murmured.
Forgive me, my daughter.
Tears fell again as William embraced her. In that moment, she felt itparental love, warmth, a peace shed never known.
Id best go, William said sadly.
Come back soon.
I will. Ive been alone too long. Now Ive family to live for.
On the way home, Emily turned to David. Thank you.
For what?
If not for you, Id never have spoken to him.
Youre the one who always says everyone deserves forgiveness.
Everyone, she agreed, smiling.
A month later, William returned for good. Emily forgave him, accepted the house, and welcomed him into their lives. The man whod once been a stranger became a father at last.
