This is a touching account of why my neighbor kept her child a secret for three years.
For three years, my neighbor didn’t show anyone her child.
For three years, my neighbor lived in seclusion with a child no one had ever seen, and they rarely left her house. As soon as I saw through the window and realized why, my heart froze.
I always thought Nelly, my neighbor, was a little weird. For the past three years, she had hardly been outdoors except to check the mail or go to the grocery store. It felt more stranger because she was heavily pregnant when she moved in. However, nobody had seen her infant in these three years.
I shook my head in an attempt to get rid of the unpleasant feeling. “Get it together, Martha,” I muttered to myself as I held onto the basin’s edge.
Later that evening, my husband Evan and I sat on the porch and watched our boys play a soccer ball around the yard. Even though the sky was being painted in tones of pink and orange by the fading light, I was still feeling anxious.
With hesitation, I said, “Evan.” “Have you noticed our neighbor acting strangely?”
He raised an eyebrow and took a gulp of his beer. “Nelly? How is she doing?
She’s just by herself. She practically ran away when I went to talk to her at the grocery store the other day.
Evan leaned his arm over the back of the porch swing and laughed. Some people simply aren’t social butterflies, Martha. Not everyone enjoys neighborhood cookouts and block celebrations.
“I suppose. But her child—what about him? Three years have passed since the child went missing. Isn’t that strange?
He shrugged and went to watch the boys play. Maybe she’s just defending herself. Don’t worry so much, please. Be mindful of our family.
I pretended to grin, but the eerie feeling persisted. “You’re right. I suppose I’m reading too much into this.
Evan leaned down and kissed my cheek. “That’s my girl.” Shall we now engage in a game with the boys?
As we walked off the porch, I gave Nelly’s house one more glance. I briefly believed I glimpsed a small face peering out as the drapes fluttered. But when I blinked, it disappeared.
A week later, I noticed Nelly gathering herbs in her yard. Taking advantage of the situation, I approached the fence. “What a lovely day it is.” I shouted out eagerly.
Nelly’s eyes widened in fear as she abruptly raised her head. Before I could utter another word, she hurried inside and closed the door.
“Oh, that was impolite.”
“Martha, are you talking to yourself?” Another voice raised their voice. My neighbor, Mrs. Freddie, was peering over her fence as I turned to look at her. “Why on earth was that happening?”
“I don’t know. But something isn’t quite right, Mrs. Freddie. I know that.
“Leave it to me, dear. I’ll look at this in great detail.
“What are you going to do?”
She winked. “You’ll find out. The secret to resolving a challenging circumstance is frequently a little Southern hospitality.
I couldn’t help but wonder whether we were overstating things when Mrs. Freddie vanished into her house.
However, in our quaint area, where gatherings with friends were common, Nelly’s actions were a clear indication.
The next day, I stood at the kitchen window once more, watching Mrs. Freddie approach Nelly’s door. In her hands was a freshly baked apple pie.
“This should be interesting,” I muttered, leaning closer to the glass.
Mrs. Freddie waited waiting with a bright smile on her face and knocked. I held my breath for the next few minutes.
Finally, the door opened just a crack. Nelly’s sharp “Go away!” and another loud shatter were all I could hear as I strained to hear.
Mrs. Freddie rushed back, her face flushed with anger. I met her halfway across my lawn.
“Did you see that?” she asked, passing over the rejected pie. “That woman’s nerve!”
What is Mrs. Freddie hiding, please? This behavior is unusual.
“I’m not sure, sweetheart, but take note of what I said. Something strange is happening in that house.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that something important was going to be found while we stood there making assumptions. Something that would change our quiet suburban existence forever.
While looking through the mail a few days later, I came upon a letter addressed to Nelly. The mailman must have mixed up our boxes. I was staring at the envelope when a thought started to form.
Whispering, “This is my chance,” I glanced around as if Nelly could suddenly appear.
I made my way to her house. I was approaching the front entrance when I noticed a movement. I looked through the glass out of sheer curiosity.
My heart failed me.
A small child, perhaps three years old, looked back at me. There was such familiarity in his gaze. And on his cheek was a birthmark I knew all too well.
I let out a spine-tingling scream as my legs gave way and I tumbled down the stairs.
The last thing I saw before the darkness engulfed me was the face of the young child.
“Martha! Martha, can you hear me?
As the individuals above me came into sight, I blinked. With anxious expressions on their faces, my neighbors flocked around. Mrs. Freddie was using a damp cloth to worryly wipe my forehead.
“What happened?” she asked, helping me sit up.
The memories hit me like a freight train. Despite their protests, I leaped to my feet and banged on Nelly’s door.
“Nelly! It’s Martha. I know who the father of your child is! Come on in!
Everyone in the neighborhood held their breath as the door creaked slowly open. Nelly stood pallid and unsteady, the little kid peering out from under her legs.
When they saw the identical birthmark on the child’s cheek as my spouse, everyone in my immediate vicinity gasped.
“How were you able to?” I choked out, tears streaming down my face.
Nelly’s shoulders were sagging, and her body was a picture of defeat. I’m sorry, Martha. I never meant for this to happen.
Nelly’s skirt was tugged at by the small youngster. “Who is that woman, Mommy?”
I was devastated by that innocuous question. I told myself, “I’m your father’s wife.”
We sat in Nelly’s living room. Tommy, the little child, was playing quietly in the corner while Nelly sat across from me.
“Start at the beginning,” I advised.
Nelly took a frightened breath and twisted her hands in her lap. Four years ago, I met Evan at a bar. We clicked immediately. Even though it was just intended to be a one-time occurrence, I was told that I was pregnant.
“I told Evan. He started to get scared. asserted that he couldn’t let his family go. He offered to take care of me and the baby, but only if I would swear to keep it a secret.
“Three years of hiding away?”
Nelly nodded with a look of remorse on her face. It was his idea to move me next door. He thought it would be easy to keep an eye on things. However, I had to promise that I would never take Tommy outside and that I would never speak to anyone, especially you.
Tommy’s innocent face served as a stark reminder of Evan’s betrayal as I turned to face him. Does he know? about Evan being his dad?
Nelly shook her head. “Not at all. Despite Evan’s sporadic visits, Tommy thinks of Evan as just a friend.
The revelation hit me like a ton of bricks. All of those late nights spent at work and on business trips. How much time had this been bothering me?
“Now what?” I asked, more for myself than for Nelly.
After a moment of hesitation, she reached out and touched my arm. Whatever you decide, Martha. I’ll understand if you want us to leave.
Desperate to get away, I jumped up. “I need time to reflect.”
The week went slowly through a mist of tears and sleepless nights.
I went through the motions, taking care of my boys, but my heart was in a million pieces. Every time I looked at my sons Jake and Ethan, I could see a brother they didn’t know they had.
Evan had been away on business for a week, and I was waiting for him to get back. I had practiced for days to get ready for this encounter.
“Welcome home, honey,” I murmured.
Evan’s expression brightened as he released his briefcase bag. “Hey, sweetheart. Do you miss me?
“Of course. I will take you by surprise.
“Oh, I see. What is that?
I pointed to an envelope on the table. “Open it.”
Evan’s smile disappeared as he ripped into the gift upon realizing what he was holding. divorce papers.
“Martha, what—”
I clapped my palms to cut him off. Just in time, Nelly emerged from the kitchen with Tommy in her arms.
Evan lost all color in his face. “Oh my God! Let me explain, Martha.
“Keep it safe. I know everything. We’re done, Evan.
He stumbled back, looking furiously at me, Nelly, and Tommy. “Let me explain, please. It was a mistake.
“Mistake? It’s a mistake to forget to get milk. This? This is a betrayal. You’ve been lying to me for years, Evan. You have a child of your own.
Bewildered by all the extra noise, Tommy began to cry. Nelly hushed Evan after giving him a disgusted look.
The aftermath was frantic. Evan’s parents offered me half of their company as settlement after the divorce since they were appalled by what their son had done.
I consented because I knew it would secure my boys’ future.
Conversely, Nelly and Tommy left shortly after. Part of me felt sorry for them. But a larger percentage was focused on recovery.
One afternoon, when I was watching my sons play in the backyard, I had a revelation. I may not be able to change the past, but I can still have an impact on the future.
I called the guys over and embraced them tightly.
“Listen to me,” I said, gazing into their innocent faces. “I need you to promise me something. Always act with sincerity, kindness, and courtesy. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Would you kindly finish the assignment for me?
He nodded sadly, but I felt a glimmer of hope. Even though the path ahead would not be simple, I was determined to teach my boys to be better men than their father.
