Mary Wept by Her Friend Helen’s Grave. On the Fortieth Day, Yet Not a Single Flower on the Grave…

Today I found myself standing by Sarahs grave, tears streaming down my face. Its been forty days since she left us, and still not a single flower on her resting place I lingered there longer than I intended, promising her Id do better next time. On my way home, lost in thought, a man caught up with me. Do you need a lift? he asked, his voice kindly. The nearest bus stop is ages away. Its no trouble, honestly.

I hesitated, then he asked softly, Whos buried here for you?

My friend, I replied, voice shaky.

I buried my mum here, he said, with the saddest smile. Where can I take you?

To the stop, thatll do, I murmured.

Nonsense, Im free all day. Ill take you all the way home.

As the car hummed along, I found myself telling him about everythingmy life, my struggles, all the winding roads that had led me here. Two days later, there he was, waiting outside my little flatDavid, with a conversation I never expected.

* * *

Sarah and I had been best friends since nursery. As we grew up, wed dress the same, swap clothes, laugh at all the same jokes. We stuck together all through school, eventually moving to the city together. I started training as a nurse, while Sarah became a teacher. We saw each other constantly, both fell in love at the same timeme with a quiet lad from the countryside, her with a city boy.

Sarah married in a rush, as though she feared she might lose her chance. Within a year, shed had a little girl, but her husbands family never truly accepted hershe didnt fit their ideas of who their son should have married.

Id often look after her daughter so Sarah and her husband could have a night off. Sometimes, I longed to join them, but Id promised to help, so I stayed. Then, one evening, they didnt return. The next morning, I got the awful news: thered been a crash on the motorway. They were both gone.

The funeral passed in a blur; I remember holding the little one and wondering what would become of her now. Her fathers parents barely acknowledged her even when their son was alive, and now they wanted nothing to do with his stranger child. Sarahs mum was left alone with three more children and couldnt take on a toddler.

There was only the orphanage left. She was just a year old.

Id fallen in love with the child; her first words, her first stepsa witness to it all. By then, I was working, renting a small room from a widowed lady. But who would trust a single, young woman with a child? I was alone, unmarried, though I held down a job.

So, she was taken awayplaced in care. She was bright and sweet; a new family would find her, I was told.

I worried about Sophie every day.

* * *

One evening I turned to Michael, the lad I was seeing. Ive got a proposition, I said, my voice quivering. Will you marry me? If I were married, I might be allowed to take Sophie in

He gawped at me, stunned. Youre not serious! Thats too much for me.

I just want the girl. After, Ill handle things myself. We could divorce if thats easier. Please, just help me adopt her.

He shook his head. Im not ruining my records for this! Youre strangeyou shut me out, then talk of marriage. Find someone else!

I went back to Sarahs grave, tears welling up again. Still bare of flowers, after all these weeks. Right next to it, her husbands graveoverflowing with blooms.

Sarah, I swear Ill do whatever it takes to make yours beautiful too. Help me, please

On my way out of the cemetery, David approached me. Can I give you a lift? The bus stops quite a walk. I dont mind. Sorry if Im being forward

My friends buried here, I said.

My mum as well Where to?

To the bus stop, if you dont mind.

Its not an issue. Ive got no one at home these dayslost my mum, wifes left me Are you alright? You look like youve had bad news.

I saw you before, he said softly. At the funeral, for the couple, right? Forty days?

Yes.

My mums forty days, too You look worried.

As he drove, I found myself telling David the whole story.

Here we are. Thank you for the liftand for listening, I said as we reached my place.

Two days later, David stood at the entrance to my building, a proposal waiting for me.

* * *

When I finally came down, he said, Mary, Ive been thinking. Let me help you. Im on my own and can marry youright away.

I stood frozen. Arent you scared?

Not at all. Why?

My last boyfriend ran off when I asked for help with the little one.

Ill do it. First, tell me where youll live with her?

If my landlady doesnt turf me out, here. Otherwise, Ill find somewhere else.

Come to mine, then. Well get things sorted tomorrow. Weve got to hurrytheres no time for arguments. Ive got a big house; theres plenty of room.

A house?

Yes, not everyone in the city lives in a flat. Mum always wanted a house, hated being boxed in.

Im not used to it eitherwe came from a village, Sarah and I.

David sorted everything faster than I could have dreamed. We married quietly, adopted Sophie, and he moved us into his home.

Thank you, I said. From here, I can manage on my own

On your own? Of course. But the house is yours too. Ill be nearby, not hovering.

Maybe its best if I get a flat for us, I said nervously.

My wife, living apart from me? That wont do.

David never imposed, but he was always there when I needed himhelpful with Sophie, thoughtful around the house. I kept trying to manage everything myselfcooking, cleaning, looking after Sophieeven for David, but slowly I saw how much I was starting to care for him.

Mum, why do you love me? Sophie asked, her blue eyes wide.

Because you exist, darling. Youre my daughter.

I owed David so much. He took care of us both, as if we were his flesh and blood. With Sophie, he was as gentle as any real father could be.

David saw me as the ideal wife, even if our marriage wasnt genuine at first. But one evening, after Sophies third birthday, he made a real proposal.

But were already married, I laughed nervously.

I want us to be a real family, he replied.

So do I

And so we became a true familyno more paperwork, just real love and support.

We now have two anniversariestwo years apart.

Sophie has a brother and a sister.

Times passed. All the children are grown. Sophie knows where her birth parents are buried.

Their graves are both tended with the same care now. David and I are as real as any parents could be to her.

Sophie has a daughter of her own now. And David and I have a great-granddaughtera big, happy English family.