Moments That Change Lives

“APRIL!” Henry’s voice ripped the yard like a thunder. He grabbed Mira by the hand and nearly dragged her inside.

“Let me go. Henry, let go!” She wiggled from his grasp anger evident in her voice. They were in the kitchen now and from the window Mira saw April falling on her knees by the pool and sobbing.

“What’s all of this about? Who is she? April like in your ex-girlfriend’s name? Speak, Henry!” Mira yelled despite herself.

“Calm down, Mira. Please… Yes, that is April Stone. My ex… But I don’t know what wind brought her here! I…” Henry tried to explain.

“She’s crying, for God’s sakes. Look at her! How can you be so mean? I-I never knew you as such a man.” Mira shook her head in disbelief.

“Well, guess what? This is not the rainforest you’re at anymore! It’s MY house and I am like that okay? Call me as you please but I’m not, you hear me, I am not helping that bloody woman!” He shouted throwing a spoon on the ground and furiously slamming the mansion’s entrance door on his way out.

She couldn’t believe they were arguing over his ex-girlfriend. With her mouth half open in surprise Mira approached April and crouched on the ground next to her. The water from the pool gave a pleasant freshness to the air.

“Why did you come? To laugh at me for being so stupid?” April sniffled when Mira lay a hand on her shoulder.

“Tell me everything. There must be a reason you decided to ask for help here. After… You know… Breaking up with Henry. I know a person in need when I see them. You can trust me.” Mira encouraged her and the woman slowly opened up. She confessed that she had loved Henry but that their relationship had always seemed empty and boring. She had been devastated after they had broken up but in a way relieved to finally not have to pretend to be someone she had not been.

“… But four months ago I passed out and when they took me to the hospital they…”

“Are you pregnant?” Mira spit out but regretted her rushed response at once.

“Pregnant? No, no, no. I wish it was like that but unfortunately they diagnosed me with one of those deadly illnesses and…” April cried again.

“I’m so sorry to hear that. I had no idea.” Mira helped her stand up and the both of them walked on the grass in silence for a while.

“Then my dad died and I don’t even know the name of my mom so there you have it. I was left helpless and alone. I… I don’t know how to tell you this but my dad left all the money we had to his mistress and now I can’t pay for the operation. I didn’t want it to be this way but Henry is the only one that can help me.” April finished leaning closer to Mira for support. She truly looked unwell.

“Did you tell him this?” Mira asked.

“I tried but he went crazy when he saw me. He began attacking me and chasing me away. He probably thought that I came to ruin his life… His new family… Sorry I snapped at you Mira. I… I’m not myself these days…” April looked at her eyes desperately. “Only you can help me. Please talk to him. Tell him that he’s the only chance I’ve got.”

Mira remained silent for a moment evaluating the abrupt situation. That woman couldn’t have appeared at a worse moment. Now when she was dealing with the anxiety of giving birth the least she needed was an ill woman to take care of, too. However, right then a painful image rose before her eyes. A memory torn from the depths of her mind. It was of a helpless little girl waiting before the shrink’s office. A policeman was holding a glass of water for her to drink. If anyone in the world knew how it felt to be helpless, it would be Mira Glass.

And that’s how it was arranged. Once Henry calmed down and returned home, Mira used all the persuading words she could think of to convince him to help his ex-girlfriend. He was puzzled at first, then mad and in the end so glad that he had fallen in love with a kind woman as herself. For her sake he allowed April to stay in the house until the operation took place and agreed to pay all the bills for her healing in the hospital. All things considered, Mira saved April’s life even though that meant having her around the mansion during the whole day while Henry was at work.

At first, she was kind and conversational helping Mira pick up harder objects and consoling her when a sudden grief from the past and fear for the baby would hit her. However, lately, she became more absent, locked in her room all the time and when Mira would go to ask what was going on she would slam the door of the room in her face. Blaming it all on the illness, Mira found ways to continue with her life and slowly prepare for the arrival of her little miracle as she was already entering the first week of her ninth month. And Henry couldn’t be happier. He came home with flowers every day and brought her whatever food she wanted even if that meant going out in the dead of night in search of it. Everything seemed as normal as could be under the circumstances until the May weekend that broke all barriers and cleared all doubts.

Mira’s back ached and the boy was unnaturally nervous that afternoon, kicking and turning in her stomach, so she went for a nap in her bedroom. Or better said her and Henry’s bedroom as a few months back they had decided to sleep in one bed to Mira’s biggest pleasure. But just when she was about to enter she heard a voice coming from inside. April’s.

“I know you still love me, Henry. Don’t worry! We’ll be together again…”

Mira peeked through the key hole and was startled to see April lying on their bed and talking to herself. She was holding one of Henry’s shirts clutched in her hands. Furious as she was, Mira barged into the room.