When I agreed to babysit my neighbor’s daughter, I expected laughter and crayons, not a question that would shatter my world. She looked at me with wide eyes and asked, “Why are you wearing my mommy’s necklace?”, and in that moment, nothing in my life made sense anymore. There’s no greater happiness in life than being a mother, at least that’s what I’d always believed.
And when I finally got pregnant, that belief became even stronger. My Ethan and I had agreed to start trying a year into our marriage. We both waited for those two little lines on the test like kids waiting for Christmas.
When they finally appeared one quiet morning, I screamed so loud I woke Ethan by jumping on the bed, waving the test in front of his sleepy face. Motherhood felt like my purpose. I spent hours imagining what our baby would look like, how it would feel to hold them for the first time, what kind of parents we’d be.
One morning, when I was seven months along, I stepped out into the garden with a cup of herbal tea. Then I heard laughter and a woman’s voice coming from the other side of the fence. My neighbor, Hannah, was chasing her four-year-old daughter across the yard.
I admired Hannah. A single mother, working hard, always patient, always gentle with her little girl. I couldn’t imagine how hard that must be, raising a child alone.
My hand rested on my belly, a quiet thank-you in my heart for the husband who shared this journey with me. I walked closer to the fence. “Good morning, Hannah!”
“Hey!
How are you feeling?”
“Big and slow,” I laughed. “How about you?”
“Honestly? Not great.
I just got laid off. So now I’m trying to find something new before the rent’s due again.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said softly. “I’m sure you’ll find something soon.”
“Thanks.
I’m trying to stay positive. Anyway, I should go, I promised to drop Lily off at my mom’s before lunch.”
“Good luck with everything,” I said, and she waved before running inside with her daughter. A few days later, I was coming back from a walk when I saw Hannah sitting on her front steps, her head in her hands.
Lily played quietly beside her, drawing on the pavement with chalk. I crossed the yard. “Hey, is everything alright?”
“I have a job interview tomorrow, but my mom’s sick, and I’ve got no one to watch Lily.
I might have to cancel.”
“Cancel? No way,” I said. “I can watch her.”
Hannah blinked.
“Oh, no, I couldn’t ask you that.”
“You’re not asking, I’m offering,” I said. “It’s no trouble at all. I love kids, and honestly, I could use the practice.”
Her shoulders relaxed.
“You’re sure?”
“Absolutely. Go nail that interview.”
She smiled gratefully. “You’re a lifesaver.”
I started walking back home, then turned around.
“Hannah, can I ask you something?”
She shrugged. “Go ahead.”
“Lily’s dad… does he help out at all?”
Hannah let out a short laugh. “Help?
He doesn’t even admit she’s his kid. Complete idiot.”
“That’s awful. Why don’t you take him to court for child support?”
“I don’t want anything from him,” she said firmly.
“We’re fine on our own.”
“But it’s his responsibility,” I said. “He has a family now,” she answered quietly. “I just hope he’s changed.”
I frowned.
“Men like that never change. I’d give him a piece of my mind if I could.”
Hannah chuckled. “You and me both.
Anyway, I’d better start dinner. Thanks again for tomorrow.”
“Of course,” I said, smiling, but as I walked home, her words stayed with me longer than I expected. That evening, after dinner, I leaned across the table and hugged Ethan.
He laughed, a little surprised. “What was that for?” he asked. “For you,” I said.
“For being here. For being the best husband and future dad.”
“Okay, that’s sweet, but where’s this coming from?”
“I was talking to Hannah today,” I said. “She told me about Lily’s dad.
Can you imagine? He doesn’t even admit she’s his child. She’s raising that little girl all alone.”
Ethan’s smile faded.
“That’s rough. But, you know, things happen. You never really know what went on between them.”
I shook my head.
“No, that’s not an excuse. If it’s your child, you take responsibility. Always.
I could never forgive anyone who walked away like that, and I’d never let him live peacefully after it.”
Ethan looked like he wanted to argue but then nodded. “You’re right. Guys who do that are jerks.”
“Exactly,” I said.
“Jerks.”
The next morning, I went over to Hannah’s house to watch Lily. Hannah was dressed neatly for her interview, a little nervous but smiling. “Grace, thank you again,” she said.
“You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“It’s no trouble at all,” I said. “Good luck, you’ve got this.”She smiled, gave Lily a kiss on the head, and left. When the door closed, I turned to Lily.
“So, what do you want to do first?”
“Play!” she said, holding up her stuffed bunny. We played with blocks, danced to silly songs, and later I made her grilled cheese and apple slices. She giggled with crumbs on her cheeks, and for a while, I just watched her, thinking what a sweet kid she was.
After lunch, we sat at the kitchen table with crayons and paper. Lily drew her mom, her house, and a giant pink sun. I leaned over to reach another pencil, and my necklace slipped from under my sweater, catching the light.
The story doesn’t end here — it continues on the next page.
Tap READ MORE to discover the rest 🔎👇
