“If Your Husband Shows Up When You’re Discharged from the Maternity Ward, We’ll Turn Around and Leave!” – Said a Father to His Daughter

My husband and I were beside ourselves with shock! Margaret, now fifty, recalled. What he did, well, the young man put her through everything during that pregnancy, so it isnt some fairy tale to retell there are simply no words to describe it. He sent her away for an abortion and threw her out of the flat they were renting. Then he hollered everywhere that the child wasnt his claiming she just happened to fall pregnant. I swear, he drained every last bit of my patience! I understand…

Near the end, about three weeks before the baby was due, he seemed to calm down a bit. I heard he rang Emily, spoke normally for once, asked after her health and the baby, who itd be, when itd all happen. But not once did he visit during that entire pregnancy not even to buy a knitted hat for the baby, didnt so much as bring an apple. Thursday, we were blessed with a grandson! Tomorrow they discharge her. My daughter and husband told me David would be coming to collect them from the hospital. We were stunned! After all that…

Well… Perhaps the mans finally found the road to redemption? Is it worth giving him another chance? I dont know where hes gone, but my husband and I are utterly opposed. I told you, we saw absolutely no support from him the whole pregnancy. Wheres he going to take her and the baby? Emily says hes rented a one-bedroom flat… Ridiculous, with a newborn somewhere in a guest house, not even in London, but some unknown place! Emilys father said if that scoundrel shows up for checkups, well turn around and leave, and she can carry on living as she sees fit.

Emily, the daughter of Margaret and her husband, was twenty-six then. A lovely girl, their only child and cherished. About a year and a half earlier, Emily began courting David, whom her parents could never quite warm to.

He has no degree went to school, but, from what he says, just never bothered to sit the A levels. Margaret suspects he didnt even pass his GCSEs, but hed never admit that, lest he look feebler still.

David works as a porter for a furniture firm, hoping to make decent money. For someone with his background and zero qualifications, its actually quite acceptable. His official wages are paltry, but he gets by mostly from overtime and tips. A man, say, orders new furniture; David and his mates deliver it, dismantle the old, take it away. Sometimes the old stuffs perfectly usable might even be sold on; the owner doesnt mind, says, Take it, do as you wish.

Its a bit dodgy, but he turns a modest profit.

Emily, meanwhile, holds a university degree, works in marketing, and had been at an ad agency before going on maternity leave. She wore sharp suits and heels, spent her days around men her own stature. But out of nowhere, David drifted onto her path through some furniture delivered to her office, or something like that and that’s how they met.

They started living together, despite everyones misgivings! Margaret told me. Her friends were aghast; no one could make sense of it.

Then, unexpectedly, Emily fell pregnant. David fiercefully fought marriage, and for nearly nine months, had the entire family on edge. Emily returned to her parents, and all preparations for the baby began. They renovated her old bedroom, bought baby clothes, paid for a decent hospital birth.

And now, he turns up, shakes his finger and everything we did, suddenly counts for nothing! Margaret was close to tears. Emilys ready to leave us behind, run off to him with the baby to goodness-knows-what kind of flat. Are we just supposed to let her go and wish her happiness? Wait until the next time she comes home in tears, wearing slippers, destitute? Its bound to happen, sooner or later!

Do you think its right to give your child an ultimatum: If he comes, we leave? Is it proper to support your childs choices? Shes decided to forgive and grant her husband a second chance, so thats where things stand.

But perhaps parents can be understood after all?