Their mother sent them to the orphanage right after New Years The girls cried. They had been raised at home. While their mother was busy arranging her personal lifesomething she did constantlythe sisters, Emily and Lily, lived with their grandmother. But just before Christmas, their grandmother passed away, and their mother sent them away. No, she wasnt recklessshe didnt drink or even smoke. Still, wasnt it unfair? Her ex-husband lived as he pleased, while she was left to raise two children alone.
Their mother undid Lilys coat buttons and muttered, Stop crying. Its just how things turned outam I to blame? Youll be fine here. Youll thank me later! Lily, only three, sobbed uncontrollably, not fully understanding what was happening. But the anger in their mothers eyes and the fear on seven-year-old Emilys tear-streaked face told her something was terribly wrong. Dont shame me, their mother hissed. Im not abandoning you. Ill come back for you at EasterI promise! The girls sniffled but fell silent. Their mother had said shed return.
Adjusting to the orphanage was hard, though the caretakers loved them for their quiet nature, intelligence, and deep bond. Emily captivated everyone with her serious dark eyes, while little Lily, plump and cheerful, was like a ray of sunshine. Lily tugged at Emilys sleeve. Whens Easter coming? Will it come and take us back to Mum? Emily answered patiently, Easter is a holiday in spring. Remember how Gran used to dye eggs? Lily nodded solemnly, but her eyes welled up at the memory. Emily wished she knew when Easter would arrive. She asked their caretaker, Mrs. Thompson, who was surprisedmost children waited for Father Christmas or birthdays. Still, she gave Emily a small calendar. See this circled date? Thats Easter. Every number is a day. When I was little, Id cross off days till summer break. Emily did the same, watching the chain of numbers shrink.
On Easter morning, Lily rushed to Emily, clutching a red-painted egg. Emmy! Todays the day! Mums comingIm so happy! Arent you happy? Emily had been waiting eagerly too, but after naptime, dread crept in. Lily fussed, and by evening, Emily knewtheir mother had lied. She soothed Lily: Maybe her bus got stuck. The roads are awfuleveryone says so. Dont cry. Theyll dig it out, and shell come tomorrow. Shes just staying in the village tonight! Lily nodded tearfully. But their mother never came, though the girls invented excuses for her absence. One morning, Emily couldnt find Lily. The caretakers explained their mother had taken her. Years later, Emily learned shed been given up for good.
But luck found Emily. Her fathers sister, Aunt Margaret, tracked her down. Kind and warm, Aunt Margaret became the mother Emily never had, slowly mending her broken heart. She tried not to think of her mother or Lilythough she knew Lily had been too young to understand.
Years passed. Emily trained as a nurse, married, had a son, and lived simply but happily. Then, a letter arrivedfrom Lily.
*Dear Emily, Do you even remember me? I only recall your braids and your checkered slippers. I long to see you! Weve moved back to the areaif youll have me, may I visit?*
Emily hesitated. Inviting herself over was odd, but she agreed.
Lily, in a pale blue jacket, limped toward her, waving eagerly. She recognized Emily instantly, hugging her tight. Its you! I knew right away! Emily grumbled, Still a crybaby, arent you?but her own eyes stung.
Over dinner, Lily explained, Dont blame Mum. Uncle Steve said hed take her with children, but she was afraid to bring two. Then they had their owna boy, then a girl. Little Sophie, so perfect Oh, dont be upset! Uncle Steves a skilled carpenterhe earns well. We even go to the seaside sometimes. But in Year 7, a bull gored me. Thank God no one else was hurt. Now I limp Your pies deliciousmay I have the recipe?
Emily asked, Do you work? Study? Any sweethearts? Youre so pretty!
Lily flushed. I was in hospital for agescost a fortune. I help at home now or with Uncle Steves accounts Mum works in council admin. As for friends, well the limp doesnt help. But Im used to it.
Emily insisted Lily stay overnight, promising to see her off in the morning. Lily fell asleep instantly. Emily glanced at her neatly folded clothesclean but worn, mended many times. Hospital workers earned pennies, but surely not even they wore such things to visit family?
At 3 a.m., Emily woke her husband. Take me to Willowbrook. Now. He grumbled but drove. On the way, she explained. He frowned, then nodded.
Finding her mothers house was easy. Emilys heart pounded as she knocked. Her motherstill elegant, though agedopened the door without recognition. Good morning, Mum. We meet at last. Her mother greeted her coldly, as if she were an unwanted neighbor. Wheres Lily? In the shed? Fetch herthe children need breakfast, and yesterdays mess is still here. Come in, since youre here.
Emily kept her voice steady. Lilys staying with me. Pack her things. And money, if you can spare it. Ill get her a job as a nurses aide, then proper training. Her leg needs treatmentshes too lovely to limp!
Her mother pursed her lips. Get out. Well fetch Lily ourselves.
Emily shook her head. Not LilyLily-*love*. Call your cow Lily. Youll milk her yourself now, wont you? Should I gather the whole village? Let them hear how the upstanding council worker dumped her kids in an orphanage? The local women wont forget that, will they? Try taking Lily back, and Ill shout it across the country!
Her mother scowled, slammed the door, and reappeared half an hour later with a thin, stooped man. Im Steve, he said, handing over a backpack. Lilys things. Give her my regardswell send money. Shes been Cinderella long enough. Dont blame your mum too much lifes complicated.
Emily walked to the car, weighed down by the bag and her thoughts. *Yes, lifes complicated. But is simple so hard? For men not to drink or stray, for women not to abandon children for new lovers, for siblings not to forget each other?*
*Just to be decent people Thats all. She buckled the seatbelt around Lilys sleeping form, smoothed her hair, and whispered, Were going home. The first light of dawn crept over the trees as they drove away, leaving behind the cold house and colder promises. In the rearview mirror, the shed door swung open in the windempty. Emily reached over and took Lilys hand. It was small, warm, and real. For the first time in years, she wept.
