Sophie, Take Her Away! I Can’t Stand It Anymore! I Even Find Touching Her Disgusting!

Sarah, please take her! I cant do this anymore! I even hate touching her!
Liz was shaking as the baby in her arms cried so desperately it almost sounded like a siren.
Sarah took her niece and gave a quiet nod.
All right. But youre sure about this? You wont have regrets later?
No, what regrets could there be? Take her, I dont want her!
The little one had only entered the world a month ago. From the start, it seemed like something was wrong with Liz. Sarah had put her wild mood swings down to late pregnancy. Liz had been a widow for over seven years, and her older children were all grown and had moved out. A sudden holiday at the seaside, a fleeting affair, and then an unplanned pregnancy surprised them all. Liz was never impulsive. At first, everyone thought she was happy about the coming babyshe would rush to shops for tiny outfits, research prams, and then suddenly she would retreat into silence for weeks, hiding behind a wall of indifference.
Just before the birth, Liz cut off all contact: no calls to their mum, or to Sarah, or even her own children. Sarah started to worry and tracked her sister down at the hospital, where Liz was about to sign away her rights to the baby.
Liz, whats going on? Why are you doing this?
I dont know. I feel nothing. She doesnt feel like mine.
What do you mean? Shes your own child!
She wont be, Liz said, turning her face to the wall.
Sarah called in the heavy artilleryshe brought their mum. With great effort, Liz finally agreed to bring the baby home. Mum insisted they move in with her for a while under the pretense of helping out, but really, it was so they could all keep an eye on Liz. Liz looked after the baby mechanically, never lingering a moment longer than necessary. It was Granny who gave the baby a nameAliceand Aunt Sarah who carried her about.
Liz, if I take Alice, Ill raise her, but soon shell be calling me Mum. Is that what you want?
I dont care. As long as its not me.
The legal papers were sorted within the week, and Sarah became Alices guardian. Liz left for another city.
Little Alice grew into a lively, giggling child. She walked early, spoke early, and always called Sarah Mum.
A dozen years passed.
Mum, I got three As today! And tomorrow our class is going to the cinema! Alices voice rang through the flat.
Is that her?
Yes, Liz, thats her. Please
Hello! Im Alice. Who are you?
There stood a tall girl with huge eyes at the kitchen door, glancing curiously from the stranger at the table to her mum, who looked as white as chalk by the window.
Im Liz. Im your mother, Alice.
I asked you! Sarah snapped at her sister, stepping toward her daughter. Alice! Let me explain
No need, Mum. Lets listen first. So, you say youre my mother. And?
Ive come back for you. I want you to live with me.
Why?
Because youre my daughter.
No, Im not yours. Ive only ever had one mum, and shes standing right here. And I dont want another. If I never see you again, thatd be just fine. With that, Alice turned and left the kitchen.
Sarah sank down onto a chair, exhausted.
What have you achieved, then?
Not yet, but I will. Even if I have to take it to court.
Why, Liz? You were the one who didnt want her back then. No one ever understood why you made that choice, and now, after all this time, youve come expecting her to just run into your arms? Im sorry, but maybe you should go see Mum and we can talk later. I need to check on my daughter.
My niece! Liz shot back, rising to go.
Sarah just sighed and closed the door softly behind her, then made her way to Alices room.
Alice
Wait, Mum. Before you say anything, I want to tell youI know everything. Remember last year when we cleared out Grans loft? I found the guardianship papers. At first I was furious that youd kept it secret, then I wanted to meet her just to ask why. But then I realisedI didnt need it. Youre my mum. I dont need anyone else.
Alice, my darling. Youll always be mine.
And Im not going anywhere! Alice laughed. Do you remember my classmate Chris? His mums a solicitorfamily law specialist. Call her, just in case.
Steady on, Alice, dont grow up too fast. Im still the mum around here, you know! Sarah laughed, hugging her girl. Of course, Ill call her and well sort everything.
The legal battle was exhausting, but the court left everything as it was. Alice made it clear she wouldnt live with her birth mother or accept her.
The sisters stood together outside the courthouse.
Well, thats it at last. This nightmares finally over, Sarah breathed, relieved. What will you do now?
Ill go, Sarah. Im not going to get in the way. Ill help, thoughdont refuse. I set up a savings account for Alice long ago. The details and cards are with Mum.
Why, Liz? Why did you give her up all those years ago?
There was no affair, Sarah. Nothing like that. It was a dark park, a late night.
Sarahs breathing caught.
And you kept that to yourself? All these years?
There was no fixing it, so I locked it away. At first, I thought I was going through early menopauseit was too late when I realised. Please dont tell Alice. Let her not know. Its my life, not hers. Maybe, one day, shell be able to forgive me.
Sarah hugged her sister tight, both looking towards little Alice, who stood by their mum.
Sometimes, the worst thing that happens becomes the most beautiful part of your life. Shes so lovely, Liz whispered, wiping her eyes. For the first time in years, Sarah saw her sister smile.