Tears of an Orphan
Episode 17
© Mary Francis Solomon
When Mrs. Grace was done talking with Cynthia, she urged her that they should go to the kitchen and prepare breakfast.
After they prepared the meal, they ate together. But Mr. Henry was still asleep, so Mrs. Grace took his breakfast to the bedroom and kept it on their mini table. She waited patiently for him to wake up before discussing what she had heard about Cynthia.
She felt sorry for the poor girl and silently wished her husband would adopt her or at least take her in. But with the issue of the pregnancy, she doubted if he would allow her to stay. Since the pregnancy was not yet obvious, she decided to hide it from her husband for now, waiting for the perfect time to talk to him about it.
After dropping the food on the mini table, she went back to the living room and took her daughter to school. While she was out, she also got some good clothes and medication for Cynthia — since she was a nurse and was on leave that week. That was why she was home the night she met Cynthia and decided to help her.
Meanwhile, Cynthia sat quietly in her room. She was praying silently that God would touch Mr. Henry’s heart to allow her to stay in the house. She thanked God for giving her a roof over her head despite the difficult decision she had made.
After praying, she went out to check the compound. She saw a little well and thanked God for it. Being an observant girl, she fetched water and filled the drums in the kitchen and the restroom. As she was still working, Mr. Henry came out of the bedroom and saw her fetching water. She greeted him politely. He replied shortly and went back inside after observing that no one else was at home except her.
When Mrs. Grace returned, she appreciated Cynthia for the domestic work she had done. Then she went straight to the bedroom and found her husband already done with his breakfast, scrolling on his phone. She greeted him and pecked him on the cheek.
“Darling, sorry I went out to take Patience to school, and it’s just now that I’m coming. How was your night?” she asked, sitting beside him on the bed.
He smiled playfully. “You know I spent my night at work, and you’re still asking how my night was? You should ask how work went and how I rested.”
“Oh my! My bad, okay, my love,” she said laughing. “Since you already know what I mean, answer me now.”
“It was fine but hectic. My rest was okay. At least I had some sleep, and as you can see, I’m strong.”
“Wow, we thank God for that, my love. So… about Cynthia.”
He looked up. “Who is Cynthia?”
“The girl I brought in,” she replied softly.
“Oh, the stranger?” he said.
“Yes. I’ve asked her all the necessary things about herself, and honestly, darling, she’s an orphan. She was molested by her cousin and later chased out by her auntie.” Mrs. Grace spoke gently, trying to appeal to his heart.
Mr. Henry’s expression softened. “Don’t tell me that this girl has been sexually abused and she’s an orphan too?”
“Yes,” she nodded sadly, omitting the part about the pregnancy.
He sighed deeply. “That’s terrible.”
He felt pity for her and agreed to let her stay with them. Mrs. Grace’s face lit up with joy. She hugged him and pecked him again, thanking him for allowing Cynthia to stay in their home.
“But I feel we need to arrest that guy,” Mr. Henry said seriously. “Why would her parents allow him to go scot-free? If he could do that to his own cousin, how much more to others who are not related by blood?”
“I suggested that to her,” Mrs. Grace explained, “but she refused. Let’s see how things go. Maybe in the future, we can take action. For now, let’s just help her heal.”
“Alright, I understand,” he said calmly. “And since the term has gone far, maybe by next term we can enroll her in school.”
When Mrs. Grace heard her husband’s words, she was overjoyed. Deep inside, though, she was still scared to break the news that Cynthia was pregnant. But she played along and continued to appreciate him.
“As far as she’s obedient and respectful, I’ll treat her as my own daughter,” he added. “How old is she?”
“I didn’t ask yet, but I think she’s about fourteen or fifteen,” she replied.
“Okay, just confirm it later so we’ll know the right class for her,” he said, as they shifted their discussion to other matters. They later laughed, ate together, and enjoyed a peaceful moment as husband and wife.
When it was time for lunch, Mrs. Grace went to Cynthia’s room and called her to join her. While they worked together in the kitchen, she smiled and said, “My husband has agreed to let you stay with us.”
Cynthia froze for a second, then her eyes filled with tears of joy. She quickly hugged Mrs. Grace tightly.
“Thank you, ma! Thank you so much!” she said excitedly.
Mrs. Grace smiled. “One more thing, Cynthia. I’ll find the perfect time to tell my husband about your pregnancy. I’m just scared he might chase you out if he knows now. But don’t worry — I’ll take care of you myself. I’m a nurse, and I’ll register you for antenatal care.”
Cynthia’s eyes glowed with relief and gratitude. “Thank you very much, ma,” she said cheerfully, her voice filled with new hope.
To be continued…
Inspired by the Great Teacher.
Do not copy or edit any part of this story without the author’s consent.
Stay blessed till we meet in the next episode.
Written by Mary Francis Solomon.