Dad, Do You Remember Mrs. Nadia Martynenko? It’s Late Now, But Tomorrow Come Over—I’ll Introduce You…

Dad, you remember Mary Alexander, dont you? Its already late, but come over tomorrow. Ill introduce you to my younger brother your son. Thats all. Goodbye.

The boy was sleeping right outside her door. Sarah was surprised. Why would a child be sleeping in the stairwell at this hour? As a teacher with a decades experience, she couldnt just walk past. She bent down and gently shook his bony little shoulder.

Oi, young man, wake up!

Huh? he mumbled and awkwardly sat up.

Who are you? Why are you sleeping here?

Im not really sleeping. Just your doormat is soft, so I accidently nodded off, the boy replied.

Sarah had only lived in this building for six months. Shed bought the flat after divorcing her husband and hardly knew any of her neighboursyet she was sure this boy wasnt from the building.

He looked about ten or eleven, wearing old but clean clothes. He shuffled from foot to foot, almost dancing on the spot.

Sarah realised what was wrong. He needed the loo.

Quick, go on then. Im running late for work, she said, and let him in.

He looked at her with unusually pale-blue eyes, full of cautious suspicion.

Such rare eye colour, Sarah thought suddenly. As he came out of the bathroom and washed his hands, she quickly made him some ham sandwiches.

Here, have these, she offered.

Thanks! he said, already standing at the door. Youve saved me. Now I can wait in peace.

Who are you waiting for, then? asked Sarah.

Granny Antonia Pearson. She lives near you. Maybe you know her?

Ive met Antonia Pearson briefly, but she was taken to hospital two days ago by ambulance. I came home from work just as they carried her out.

Which hospital? The boy visibly tensed with worry.

The A&E at St Georges. Thats likely where shes gone.

Alright. Whats your name? the boy asked, finally deciding to introduce himself to his rescuer.

Sarah Wilson, she replied, already moving towards the door.

At work, Sarah threw herself into the endless bustle of school life, yet her mind kept returning to the boy outside her door.

Perhaps its just a motherly instinct, she thought, feeling a pang. She had no children of her own, which was part of why her husband and she divorced. Shed let him go without drama to the woman who bore him a daughter.

During lunch, Sarah rang the hospital and found out that her elderly neighbour had suffered a stroke. The prognosis was poor. She was seventy-eight, after all.

That evening, she found the boy in her stairwell againperched on a windowsill.

I was waiting for you! he greeted her cheerfully. They wont let me visit my gran, and she wont be coming home for a while.

Sarah asked his name. He introduced himself as Edward. And made a point to clarifyEdward, not Ed.

With her unexpected houseguest washed and fed, Sarah began to question him.

Have you run away? Your parents must be frantic!

I havent got parents. I live with my aunt.

So your aunt must be beside herself, Sarah replied, concerned.

No. I told her I was visiting Gran. She doesnt know Grans in hospital. I dont want to go back. Shes nice, barely drinks, but my uncles drunk most nights and turns nasty. Theyve already got four kids, and another on the way. Im just an extra burden.

They said theyll send me to care, but I dont want that. Am I being a burden to you? Mum reckoned I was hyperactive, just like my dad, with the same blue eyes. Mum passed away two years ago.

What was your mums name? Sarah asked gently.

Mary Alexander. She was kind and beautiful, worked as a secretary for some chemical factory boss. I cant remember which company.

And your dad? Sarah pressed, feeling a strange tension rising.

I never had a dad. Not ever, Edward said, staring at his feet.

And then Sarah suddenly realised why she was so moved by this blue-eyed boy. Those eyes. Shed only seen that exact blue in one other personher own father.

And her father used to run a factory!

Sarah caught her breath. An affair between the boss and his secretarywhat could be more cliché? Did he know shed had his child? Did he notice her disappearing from his office?

And Mary? She named her son after himshe must have really loved him

Sarah had always been an only child, though shed dreamed of a little brother or sister as a girl.

Pop over to the shop for a loaf, please. Its just over the road, she told Edward, seeing him off.

She immediately phoned her father.

Dad, you remember Mary Alexander? Its late now, but come round tomorrow. Ill introduce you to your sonmy little brother. Thats it. Goodbye. Well talk tomorrow! Sarah said, and hung up.

She prepared the sofa for Edward in the sitting room: Have a shower and get some sleep, she told him gently.

Sarah had no idea what would happen next, but one thing was clearshe wouldnt let her brother be swallowed up by a broken family or end up in foster care.

Her father arrived early in the morning. Sarah was usually the sort to sleep in on weekends, but not now; shed hardly slept a wink.

She adored her father. Hed always been there for her, her greatest support, unlike her mother.

Since childhood, he had rescued her and been behind every decision, siding with her when she wanted to become a teacher, while her mother had raged that only commoners and failures took that path.

Her mother never considered herself common, even though she came from a village. Her father had blessed Sarahs marriage and later helped her pick up the pieces after her divorce.

Her father was as upright as ever: sharp suit, shoes polished to a shine, a subtle hint of expensive cologne. The picture of a successful Englishman.

So, whats all this about suddenly discovering a brother? I barely slept, I was so worried, he announced as soon as he walked in.

Shush, Dad. My guests still asleep, Sarah led him to the kitchen. Come have breakfast, you must be hungry.

Over tea and eggs, she filled him in on everything.

It all sounds so odd! her father replied. Yes, I had a secretary named Mary Alexanderclever, young, pretty. She looked at me with such adoration. Im a man, after allone thing led to another

Ill admit, I caved. You know, perfectly faithful men are unicorns. It was flattering, her adoration. Im not a saint. But I never once considered leaving your mother.

One day Mary asked, half-joking, whether I wanted a son. I said I already had a daughter and I was too old for a son.

Later, her mother grew ill, and Mary took a long leave to look after her, went back to her village. A temporary secretary came in her place. Mary returned about a year later, looking healthier than ever.

I asked if shed married; she said yes, had a son, and her husband was a good man. She kept her old surname. But who knows these daysso many just live together.

From then, we worked strictly together, no more intimacy. She had her own life, I had mine. Three years ago, Mary took ill and passed away. I found out when I signed off her bereavement grant. It was a shame; she was so young. But youre mistaken, darling. She said she was married, with a sonso its not mine.

Just then, their guest came in. Polite and well-spoken, Edward popped his head in and greeted them.

Now up close, Sarahs father blanched in shockEdward truly was his double at that age.

Well, lets get acquainted! her father managed, holding out a trembling hand. Frederick Wilson.

Edward Frederick Alexander, the boy replied, placing his small hand confidently in his fathers.

Both unconsciously raised their eyebrows in the same way.

Seems were welcoming all the Fredericks today, Sarah smiled, her voice shaking.

Young Edward went to wash up while Frederick senior stared, stunned, at his daughter.

I dont get it. Hes exactly like me as a boy. But Mary said she married and had a child with her husband?

She didnt marry. She left to keep her pregnancy from you. If you check the payroll, youll see when she was off for maternity. She made up her marriage so you wouldnt feel guilty. She must have really loved you. Edward swears he never had a father. Never.

Hold on, thoughMary had no sisters, no brothers. Her mums gone. Where did these aunt and gran come from? her father asked.

Edward, returning just then, heard this.

If youre talking about my mumits only distant relatives. Aunt Val isnt really my aunt; she and her mum came to the city when Mum got too ill to care for me. After Mum passed, Aunt Val took me in.

They had to move out of the rented flat, so I went with them. They even get some money for me, though uncle grumbles its not enough.

And I do remember you, Frederick Wilson! Mum kept your photo in a frame on her dresser, now its in my album. I thought maybe you were her favourite actor and asked her who you were. She always said shed tell me when I was older.

Sarah fed Edward breakfast and sent him off to a morning film at the cinema nearby.

Well, Dad, any more doubts? Sarah asked.

I suppose not. But a DNA test is a must, just for the record. Well have to do it through the courts, her father replied.

After that, followed a dramatic episode with Fredericks wife, Margaret. After the realisation, she suffered an attack and then promptly went to relax at the coast. Only later did she consent to meet the boy.

She decided Edward was alright but didnt want to take him in permanentlyvisits, fine, but not full-time; her nerves and health, she claimed, wouldnt stand it.

I have a housekeeper, but shes not a nanny! she said.

No one pressed her. Frederick senior actually enjoyed spending time with Edward; each visit, he found some new similarity. Both detested porridge, but both were mad about cats.

Unfortunately, Margaret was allergic to cats, so young Edward had never had a place to keep a pet.

All the same, both father and son shared a very slight lisp, not to mention the striking physical resemblance

Eventually, the formalities of paternity were settleda rather lengthy, legalistic process. When Edwards new paperwork arrived, Frederick called Edward to him.

As of today, youre my son in the eyes of the law. Heres your new document. Youve always been my sonI just didnt know. Can you forgive me?

You dont have to call me Dad. Call me what you like. Just knowyoure not alone now. You have someone to defend you. Im your father. And youve got Sarahyour sister.

Edward grinned. I thought you were my dad the first moment I saw you.

Arent children perceptive these days? Frederick smiled, hugging his son.

Sarah noticed tears in her fathers eyes, though he quickly composed himself. Edward stayed on with Sarah, but sometimes visited Margaret, and Frederick popped by every day. And together, Sarah and Edward got a kitten.

An old man was giving kittens away outside the supermarket. Edward chose the runt, and named it Whiskers. At that moment, Edward felt happier than hed ever been.

PS:
Frederick erected a white marble headstone for Mary.

He and Edward often visit her grave and bring flowers.

One day, laying fresh petals there, Edward said,

You know what, DadMum told me, just before she died, not to cry too much. She said she wouldnt really disappear, just go somewhere else where she could look out for me. And I think she did. She brought me to Sarah, and then to you! I know it. Do you believe me, Dad?

Of course I do, his father replied.