Her parents spent her entire childhood debating where to put her. She arrived in their family at a terrible time, and the truth is, they never really wanted her. For a while, her grandmother would help take care of her, but when nan had a stroke, there was no one left willing to raise their granddaughter. The modest pension and her parents wages were barely enough to afford care for an ill pensionerlet alone a little girl. After a few difficult months, they decided to place Emily in a childrens home, promising it would only be temporary.
Youll stay here for a bit while your dad and I try to earn some money, her mother had told her.
Emily really believed her, and she waited, because life at the orphanage was no fairy tale. There was no private room, no warmth or affection; everything was run nearly like a boarding school on strictest rules. She struggled to make friends with the other children, and the staff hardly noticed her. To cope, Emily lost herself in bookscharities would occasionally send them to the orphanage, and she devoured every story.
Emily always got high marks at school, and when she finally got into university, she was thrilled to move to another city. She had very little money starting out, but found a part time job and saved every spare penny, so she could start her own business someday. Plenty of people laughed when she set up a tiny online shop selling homemade candles.
What kind of work is that? Youll never make real money at it, people would scoff.
But it turned out her little business started to take off. She was one of the first online selling hand-poured candles, and more and more customers began to come her way. There was a young man who started helping her pack orders; eventually, he left his job and they began making candles together. Gradually, the shop turned into a fully fledged family business.
With all the publicity she was the face of her brand word got around, and Emilys success caught the attention not only of her former caregivers, but also her estranged parents. Using the pretence of buying some candles, they reached out, and after receiving their order, they turned up at the senders addressright at Emilys own front door.
Emily was not happy to see them. They had forgotten about her, and shed done the same in return. Perhaps it was harsh, but with her husbands support, she turned them away.
They had never wanted to raise her and never bothered to check how she was doing; now, suddenly, they acted as though they loved her. It was too late for that. They should have looked for her all those years ago. They should have brought her home. Now, Emily is an adult, a mother herself, and she doesnt need parents like them anymore.
