Chance Encounterby Oksanatranslated by Olga |
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For two weeks Mary was doing nothing but enjoying her freedom! Matt would sometimes mention Mark, but Mary tried to explain that Mark had gone far away and would never come back. Matt was quite satisfied with this explanation: he had never been attached to Mark. In the mornings, as soon as Mary got up, she picked Matt and went to the park or to the lake to feed ducks, took long walks, played and ate out in cafes. During one of such outings, they got acquainted with their neighbours, Sheila and Patrick Johnson, who appeared to be very pleasant companions. They had been married for quite a long time, but were still in love with each other like adolescents, and Mary looked on them with admiring envy. Jane, their daughter, had just graduated from school. She reminded Mary of her sister Christie as she was as sweet and as cute. She played with Matt with pleasure, and the boy loved his new friend. “Your Matt is so cute,” said Sheila once, watching her husband and Mary's son play with kids' railway on the floor in their sitting room. “He'll grow to be a very handsome man! On my word, he'll be a real heart breaker!” “Just like his father,” Mary smiled. “What are you going to do?” Sheila asked, hurrying to distract Mary from the dangerous topic. “I do not know,” Mary became thoughtful. “Before Matt was born I had been a nurse.” “I think we can help you. My pal works in a local clinic. Jane is working there as a nurse this summer, she's planning on entering a medical college. I think they will be happier to have you, she's no good yet,” Sheila smiled. “Can you really help me out?” Mary said with joy. “Sure.” “But what shall we do about Matt?” Mary asked anxiously. “Do you know if they have a kindergarten around? I am afraid I won't be able to pay a baby sitter.” “What do you need a sitter for? I stay at home all day long and get pretty bored. I'll be happy to look after Matt.” “Sheila, I hate to bother you…” Mary said embarrassedly. “Don't, daughter. Jane doesn't need me any more, Patrick works all day long. Honest to God, I'd be happy. Let's give it a try,” Sheila persisted. “If I fail we can always try the kindergarten, just give me a chance, will you?” “Okay,” Mary smiled and impulsively embraced her neighbour. “I am so grateful to you!” In the evening after dinner Mary got to sort out the papers in search of her nurse diploma. It appeared at the bottom of the box. When Mary took it out, a picture fell down on the floor. Mary picked it up, and her heart was wrung with emotion: it was a picture of Mason and her standing on the beach. Oh God, how came Mark had not destroyed the picture! He must have piled up the papers without looking through them. Mary touched Mason's face in the picture cautiously. She still loved him. She gave a sigh. Matt was watching his mother with interest, “Give me!” He climbed into her lap and took the picture in his hands. “Mom,” he pointed to Mary in the pic. “And what's this man?” “This man… this man is your daddy,” Mary sighed with a sad smile. Matt's little eyebrow lifted in puzzlement. “Daddy? You said daddy ‘way.” “It was Daddy Mark. He just was around. And this is your real father. Honey, it's too complicated for you yet. You just remember him, all right?” Mary smiled at her boy tenderly. “This is your father, Mason.” Matt looked at the picture, concentrated, and then gave it back to Mary. “Okay. Let's play now.” In a couple of days Sheila gave Mary a visit. “I've got good news for you! You have an interview tomorrow at 10 a.m. My pal said he'd be happy to have a qualified nurse.” “Oh my, Sheila!” Mary exclaimed and hugged her friend. “I just don't know how to thank you!” So in the morning Mary took Matt to her neighbours. It was the first time she'd part with her son for so long, and she was worried about his reaction, but Matt just rubbed his nose against her cheek and ran away to play with the Johnsons' dog he adored. “Don't worry,” Sheila cheered her up. “Good luck to you!” “Thanks,” Mary nodded. The interview was a success. The head of the admission room where Mary was to work asked but a few questions, looked at her diploma and then shook her hand, “Congratulations. I'll be glad to have you. We've got loads of work and we do lack people, especially good specialists.” |