Their mother sent them to the orphanage right after New Years Day
The girls cried. They had been raised at home. While their mother focused on her love lifesomething she did constantlythe sisters, Emily and Lily, lived with their grandmother. But when their grandmother passed away on Boxing Day, their mother handed them over to the orphanage. No, she wasnt irresponsibleshe didnt drink or even smoke. Still, wasnt it unfair that her ex-husband lived as he pleased while she had to struggle alone with two children?
As she unbuttoned Lilys coat, their mother muttered, Stop crying. Its just how things arewhat am I supposed to do? Youll be fine here. Youll thank me later! Lily, only three, was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe. She didnt fully understand what was happening, but the anger in her mothers eyes and the frightened, tear-streaked face of her older sister, seven-year-old Emily, told her everything was wrong. Their mother hissed, Dont embarrass me. Im not abandoning youIll sort things out and come back. Ill fetch you at Easter! The girls quieted down, still sniffling, but clinging to their mothers promise.
Adjusting to the orphanage was difficult, though the caretakers loved them for their quiet manners, quick minds, and touching devotion to each other. Emily charmed everyone with her serious dark eyes, while Lily was a sweet, round-cheeked little thing. Lily tugged at Emilys sleeve. Whens Easter? Is it coming soon? Will Mummy take us home? Patiently, Emily explained again, Easter is a holiday in spring. Remember how Gran used to paint eggs? Lily nodded solemnly, but tiny tears welled up at the memory. Emily wished she knew when Easter would come too. She asked one of the caretakers, Mrs. Collins, who was surprisedmost children waited for Father Christmas or their birthdays. Still, she gave Emily a small calendar. See? Easter is on this dateI circled it. Todays this number. Every digit is a day. When I was in school, I crossed off the days till summer break. Emily started doing the same, watching the chain of numbers grow shorter.
On Easter morning, Lily rushed to Emily, clutching a red-painted egg. Em! Em! Mummys coming today! Im readyare you ready? Emily could hardly wait either. At first, the anticipation was joyful, but after naptime, she felt like crying. Lily hovered, whimpering. By evening, realizing their mother had lied, Emily soothed her sister. Mum mustve taken the bus, and it got stuck. Honestly, the roads are awfuleven the caretakers say so. Dont cry, Lil. Theyll dig it out, and Mummy will come tomorrow. Shell stay in the village tonight. Lily nodded, swallowing tears. But their mother never came, though the girls waited daily, inventing new excuses for her. One morning, Emily couldnt find Lily. The caretakers explained her little sister had been takenby their mother. Much later, Emily learned her mother had formally given her up.
But Emily was lucky. Two years later, her fathers sister found her. Aunt Valerie was kind, and before she knew it, Emily was calling her Mum. Her aunts warmth slowly mended Emilys heart. She tried not to think of her mother or Lilythough she knew Lily had been too young to understand. Still Emily would never have left without her.
Years passed. Emily trained as a nurse, married, had a son. They werent rich, but they were happy. Then, out of nowhere, a letter arrivedfrom Lily.
*Dear sister, you probably dont remember me? I only recall your braids and your checked slippers. Id love to see you! Weve moved back to the arealiving in Willowbrook. If you dont mind, may I visit?*
Emily shrugged. Oddinviting herself over. Still, she agreed.
Lily, in a blue jacket, limped toward her, waving excitedly. She recognized Emily instantly in the station crowd, hugging her tightly. Sister! I knew it was you straight awaymy Emily! Emily huffedstill a crybabybut her eyes stung.
After dinner, Lily explained, Dont be angry with Mum. Uncle Steve said hed take her with kids when they met. She just didnt dare bring us both. Then they had a son, then a daughterVickys such a doll! Oh, dont be upset! Uncle Steves a brilliant carpenteralways busy. We even go south sometimes. But in Year Seven, a bull gored me. Thank God no one else was hurt. Now I limp Em, this pies lovelycan I have the recipe?
Emily asked, Do you work? Study? Got a boyfriend? Youre so pretty!
Lily flushed. After the accident, I needed lots of treatmentcost a fortune. I help at home or with Uncle Steves accounts. Mums an accountant at the council. As for friends well, I limp. But Im used to it.
Emily convinced Lily to stay overnight, promising to see her off in the morning. Lily fell asleep instantly. Later, Emily glanced at her folded clothesclean, but worn and repeatedly mended. Hospital orderlies earned pennies, but no one wore such things, especially visiting!
At 3 AM, Emily woke her husband, demanding a drive to Willowbrook. He grumbled but went. On the way, she explained. He frowned, then nodded.
Emily found her mothers house easily. Her heart raced as she knocked. Her mother opened the doorstill elegant, though olderand didnt recognize her. Morning, Mum. Here we are. Her mother greeted her coolly, as if Emily were a nuisance, not her long-lost daughter. Wheres Lily? In the shed? Tell her to come inthe kids need breakfast, and the place is a mess. Well, come in.
Emily kept calm. Lilys staying with me. Pack her things. Give her money if you can. Ill get her a job as a hospital aideshe can train. And her leg needs treatment. Shes too pretty to limp. Hear me, Mum?
Her mother jutted her chin. Get out, do-gooder. Well fetch Lily ourselves.
Emily shook her head. Her names Lily, not Lil. Call your cow that. Want me to gather the whole village? Let them hear how the respectable council accountant dumped her kids? Your mates wont forget that. Try taking herIll shout it nationwide.
Her mother scowled, slammed the door, but half an hour later, a thin, stooped man emerged with a backpack. Im Steve. Lilys things. Tell her Ill send money. Shes been Cinderella long enough.
Walking back, Emily thought: Lifes hard. But is it harder than being decent? Than men not drinking or straying, women not abandoning kids for new men, siblings not forgetting each other?
Just being humanthats the hardest part.
