Two Word Prompts in One

She had thought about and imagined this moment for years, but she’d never expected

She had thought about and imagined this moment for years, but she’d never expected the overwhelming surge of love for the child she didn’t know. Her first steps, words, and another mother heard them.

Her only consolation; her little bundle was loved, and had everything she wanted from life. What could she offer? A damp bedsit, with hand-me-down clothes.

It was a different time then, being an unmarried mother was something you were ashamed of. Sent away to the home for fallen women, you came back home without the baby. An excuse ready – a visit to an aged aunt, or a holiday by the sea.

Sleep little baby, don’t say a word, still lingered across her tongue. It was difficult not to fall in love. It was living, moving, and there was nothing more special than being a mother.

She was only sixteen.

Love, and a fumble around in the dark, and she didn’t even realise she was pregnant. Her periods non existent, it was a surreal few months. Her sickness put down to pressure at school, her weight gain to over indulging.

Now she wasn’t sure what do do. Mary, as she was called, screamed her way in the room. She wanted to see her, but that didn’t mean it was a good thing. Masie stared at her nails, and picked a tiny bit of skin away.

To walk away now wasn’t shameful

As her footsteps backed away, she caught her daughter’s gaze. The same blue eyes, and even the colour of her hair. When Mary smiled, it was Billy as he waved goodbye at the station.

Promising to see her soon.