Chapter Fifty-Seven
4th February 1994
Now fourteen years old and truly deluded into thinking what she and Ethan had was normal, she no longer had any intention of telling her family the truth. Today was a normal school day, Maya was with her best friend Stacey (full name Stacey Evans) in the high school hall. A sixth former (named Michael Browse) walked over, he was currently helping the girls with their first proper history project. He was a good student and was thus chosen to help by the teachers as he sat opposite them.
"Okay girls...So here we have Alexander the Great's biography" Michael began.
This was what Maya was studying at the time (and hence where her son's name came from). Michael being the young man who got the blame for her pregnancy and that stuck with him for life as Ethan never got caught. He was seventeen going on eighteen, Maya would fall pregnant just two weeks after his tutoring started (thus why people presumed it was him). He was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
"Alexander the Great did so much conquering! I mean, this project is going to take ages with the countries alone" Stacey complained.
"Well perhaps we could just buy a map and circle where he conquered" Maya spoke up.
"Good idea!"
Michael giving a slight laugh in response at the girls chatter. Stacey picked up the biography as she flipped through the pages. Maya meanwhile had begun to write down some of the key facts from the book's blurb. Some of the other girls from their class soon joining the table, making it rather crowded.
"You two are such geeks!" one of the girls teased; making Stacey playfully hit said girl on the back with her book.
"Girls...We are having a private session" Michael spoke up.
"But you're not a teacher, Michael" one of the girls chimed in.
"No but I'm hoping to be one and this is like a taster session for me so please remove yourselves"
This made the girls laugh out loud again as they all repeated "Please remove yourselves" to themselves while giggling. One of the girls speaking up..."Fine, we don't want to intrude on specky four-eyes and Shirley Temple's study session"
"I give you specky four-eyes in a minute you toddler!" Stacey hissed.
"Toddler? Oh, I am hurt" the same girl replied in jest.
"Girls" Michael spoke up again.
Making them all look between each other again before the same girl finally remarked "Okay but only because you said so Michael...Bye, bye" and they finally departed. Stacey giving one last insult back as she shouted at them...
"If Maya is Shirley Temple then that makes you Veruca Salt!"
She just got a laugh back, Stacey clearing her throat as she finally looked back towards Michael. Sorting our her glasses and looking back down upon her work as if that never happened. Maya keeping quiet throughout the whole thing, she rarely spoke back. Hence Stacey defending her and speaking up for her.
"Okay girls, so today is just going to be about learning the basic facts about Alexander the Great and obviously we will go into more details about certain topics within the main topic" Michael began to explain.
"Yes, Sir" Stacey teased.
"It's so strange being on the other end...I'm grateful for you being my lab rats"
Stacey giving a fake gasp in jest as she spoke..."Michael, don't call us rats; that's so rude you know"
This made him give another laugh, he seemed to notice Maya was awfully quiet. He did feel sorry for her. He didn't really know what was going on but he did notice something was off about the girl. Though he just presumed she was shy maybe, he never seen her talk with anyone besides Stacey really.
...
12th June 1994
Maya was now five months pregnant. She was sick a lot lately, her stomach was also getting bigger. Though she was only fourteen! So her mother didn't want to believe it but the signs were obvious as she pulled her to one side. Making sure Paul was not in the way while she asked her daughter a serious question. She has hidden it quite well until recently, she wore big jumpers and whatnot but it couldn't be hidden anymore. Henrietta was disgusted when she realised what she must be hiding. She was just a child after all...
"Maya, I want to ask you a question and I want the God's honest truth...Are you pregnant?"
This made the schoolgirl widen her eyes. She went to leave for she was so scared, this would change everything. They would begin to ask questions about who the father is and when it started. Ethan was nineteen years old by this point, he would be sent to prison (and rightfully so) for this. He knew this and thus he tried many things, even went as far as making the schoolgirl smoke (as a sick attempt of causing a miscarriage) but it didn't work. She was still pregnant.
"No" Maya managed to speak out however she couldn't look her mother in the eye.
"I said don't lie to me...Don't lie to me! And you immediately lie to me. You have been sick every morning and your stomach has gotten bigger. I know the signs when I see them, so I will ask you again; are you pregnant?"
She just gave the smallest nod, making her mother well up. Henrietta felt like such a failure as a mother. As far as she knew, Maya have never had a boyfriend. Let alone having had sex, how did she keep this from them? Rosa also always made sure she knew who she had in the house, she never had a boy round there either.
"Who is the father?" Henrietta then asked.
"I don't know" Maya lied.
Though this constant vague sounding talk made her angry. This was not a game. As Henrietta just shook her head, of cause she knew who the father was. She was fourteen! She was hardly going to be sleeping around was she? As she turned around from her for a few moments, trying to brace herself. Though as soon as she laid eyes on her again, she couldn't control her emotions.
"Of cause you know who the father is you stupid girl! You haven't slept with multiple boys have you? Or maybe you have, I don't know...I don't know who you are these days!" Henrietta yelled in frustration.
"I haven't slept with a boy" Maya began.
Her mother didn't catch onto her meaning straight away. She was meant to say, it was a man she slept with; not a boy. Henrietta however was too angry and upset to understand her true meaning however as she further shouted; full of disbelief..."So this is an immaculate conception is it?!"
"No"
"Quit being vague Maya and just tell me who the father is!"
"He's older than me and he said if I tell you, he will get in trouble. I don't want to get him in trouble"
"What?! How much older? A year? What?"
"Not many years at all, only four"
Four years, Henrietta did the maths very quickly. Maya would be fifteen this coming November making this so-called boy a 19 year old young man. When she realized this was a man (nineteen is still young but it's not a child). The father isn't a child, he's a young man. Maya is only fourteen years old. Henrietta let more tears fall down when she came to this realization.
"Oh Maya...Oh no! Please tell me it's not true!" Henrietta cried; barely able to talk sense.
"He didn't mean to get me pregnant"
"I'm going to kill him...You tell me where he lives and I will kill him myself!"
"It wasn't his fault mother, please! I was to blame too, he didn't force me into it or anything!" Maya pleaded.
She didn't understand the concept that she was too young to consent. It wasn't about whether she 'wanted it or not'. Barely able to control her emotions, Henrietta just wrapped her arms around Maya as she forced the girl into a tight hug. For she felt like she hasn't protected her and she just wanted to hug her. Only pulling apart as she felt Maya ungripping herself.
"Tell me who the father is, please" Henrietta begged again.
"You will just hurt him though"
"If you don't tell me, I will ring the police and let them deal with this. In fact I'm doing it right now" Henrietta warned.
As the woman went into her living room and went towards the house telephone. Though as soon as she picked it up, ready to dial the police. Maya grabbed the telephone from her and a small struggle between them took place; Maya sobbing by this point as she further pleaded..."Please don't!"
"Let go of the telephone! The police need to get this man arrested!"
"He hasn't done anything wrong!"
"Yes he has! You're just a child! Now let me ring the police, all you have to do is give them a name and nothing else!"
"No!"
"Maya...Stop it!"
"It's Ethan alright! It's Ethan" Maya finally admitted; letting go.
This made her mother let go also. The house telephone falling onto the floor, Henrietta just put her hand over her mouth. Not Ethan. Her own nephew did this? Now she knew Maya was telling the truth for she wouldn't tell such a sick little lie, even she doesn't have that in her. The woman just stayed silent.
"You're cousins...You're related" Henrietta managed to utter.
"I know and I'm sorry but we fell in love, we didn't mean to but we liked each other for ages. We tried to stop it but it just happened, it was my 13th birthday and I tried to kiss him first. He said no at first but then he kissed me back and things just happened"
"It's been going on that long?"
"Yeah...Which just proves how much we love each other"
Henrietta shaking her head in pure disbelief and disgust at what she was hearing. It explained so much, her constant mood swings and her constant crying. All this time, Ethan's been the problem. She wished it didn't make sense but it did, Henrietta was so tempted to go round right now and drag him by the neck for doing this. If she saw him right now though, she wouldn't be able to stop herself from causing him damage. He has abused her little girl for nearly three years.
"It's not love" Henrietta tried to tell her.
"Yeah it is...I know it shouldn't have happened because we are cousins but we are not the first, are we?"
"Oh Maya...I can't" Henrietta paused.
She almost broke down into sobs, only stopping herself because her daughter needed her to be strong. How could this has gone under her nose? Not just hers but John and Rosa didn't notice it either. Paul had tried to tell them something was wrong with the lad and they just didn't believe him, Henrietta didn't believe him. How stupid she now felt.
"I'm sorry" Maya spoke.
"Don't say sorry...You have done nothing wrong. It's all on him"
"He hasn't done anything wrong either. You can't put the entire blame on him, it takes two mother"
"It only takes one to rape though"
"What?"
"What he did to you was rape"
This blunt remark just made Maya stand by. Barely able to take in what she said. The girl just panicked again and quickly ran up the stairs into her bedroom. Leaving her mother downstairs as the woman finally let out a cry. This made her feel beyond sad and useless, how could Maya not understand?
...
13th June 1994
Henrietta barely slept throughout the entire night. Her husband Paul noticed she barely spoke since yesterday. The woman was trying to cook breakfast but her mind was clearly a million miles away from the kitchen. For she cracked an egg just besides the cup and gave a slight tut afterwards. Maya was currently upstairs, her mother having rang the school to tell them she was "sick". Paul going into work as always, he watched his wife for a little bit before asking...
"What's going on, Henri?"
"Nothing...Can you just stay here with Maya? I need to pop out somewhere. I don't know when I will be back"
"I got to go to work soon" Paul reminded her.
"Fine then, I will call John"
This was rather strange, since when did she ring her ex-husband for anything? That man was a waste of space drunk (that's what Paul described him as anyway). He would likely still be hungover in bed right now for he surely had another bender last night. Maybe it was flag day or something, he would find any excuse to go on a bender. Even if it was just to celebrate a friend of a friend of a friend's birthday!
"Your Maya's John?" Paul asked in disbelief.
"Yes! My Maya's John...Look I'm sorry but I need somebody to stay with her and if you're not willing to then I will have to call him won't I?!"
"Hey, hey...What's wrong?" Paul questioned.
Getting up from his seat very quickly, he felt her wrap her arms around him with tears coming down her cheeks. She kept muttering..."I just don't want to leave my little girl alone in the house again". Paul was very confused, he didn't even know she was pregnant yet. So this came out of nowhere. He just uttered...
"Henri, I want to know what's going on"
"Maya is pregnant"
"She's just a kid"
"Yes I know but the father isn't...It's Ethan, he did it"
This made the man step back slightly, Maya wasn't even his real daughter but he felt like he wanted to kill him. Paul has a daughter older than Maya (she was twenty-four and was called Annalise). He just shook his head, he felt rather angry that she didn't tell him last night. No wonder she doesn't want Maya to go to school today. The schoolgirl in question however came down the stairs in her school uniform, trying to defy her mother on purpose. Though she wasn't having it today.
"You're not going in! I told you and I mean it...Because I know that the first thing you're gonna do is try and meet him!" Henrietta began to scold, shoving past her husband.
"It's an important year...I got my GCSE's this year!" Maya tried to argue back.
"Maya, we understand you are scared and confused but you can't go acting like everything is normal. Your mother told me everything" Paul chimed in.
"Like you know anything...You're not even a real member of this family!" Maya snarled.
She never once disrespected him until now, Ethan clearly got into her head. Paul just gave a sad sigh. Henrietta was thankfully equipped to deal with this sort of thing due to her job however her emotions were stronger for this was her own child. This wasn't some stranger's kid lashing out at her, like what she was use to. Henrietta honestly felt like she failed as a mother.
"Okay...Let's all calm down and discuss this, you can go back into school tomorrow Maya but today needs to be just you and me. I can take you to the local market cafe if you want." Henrietta tried to reason.
"I'm not one of your sad little foster children mother...I don't need it" Maya insisted.
"You are pregnant though and you need to calm down. I can give you advice on that at least, please. Just go back upstairs and get dressed in your normal clothes, I already rang the school to tell them you're ill anyway"
"I'm fine! And this baby will be fine...So I'm going to school and you can't stop me, neither of you can!"
"Please...I'm asking, please"
Though Maya just shook her head with a scowl and made her way out. Henrietta just let her go as she grabbed onto Paul (for he was about to say something else to her). The front door was heard opening and then a loud slam afterwards. Paul giving his wife a firm glare, why did she let her go? Knowing where she will likely be heading, he was angry with her. He didn't think she was doing enough.
"Are you that stupid? She will be going to meet Ethan right now and you know it...But why change the habit of a lifetime?" Paul jeered at her.
"She wasn't going to stay, I can't force her to stay...I deal with kids like this all the time"
"Stranger's kids yes but this is your own and you're acting like she's a complicated case or something. Go right now, go on...Go after your daughter, Henri" Paul urged.
With a slight pause, she took her coat and went. She couldn't let her go like that, Paul was right; she wasn't some stranger's kid. She had rights and could force her back home if she wanted. So Henrietta opened the door and rushed down the street, Maya had not got very far. She briefly looked behind at her mother and shook her head...
"I told you I'm going to school!" Maya hissed at her.
"Yes and I told you you're staying at home...I don't want to argue with you, please don't this to me Maya. I just want to look after you"
"That's a joke...You stopped caring about me years ago, Ethan told me how you care more about other people's children then you do me. Why did you even have me?" Maya cried.
She was still young and vulnerable by this point of cause. Henrietta wanted to hurt Ethan even more, he somehow got that into her head. Just because he had a miserable relationship with his parents, he tried to make Maya have a bad perception too. He had just totally been putting poison into her ear.
"Oh Maya...You know how much I love you. More than anybody in the world" Henrietta replied quickly.
"Then why are you trying to say nasty things about Ethan? He's the only person I can talk to and the only one who loves me"
"That's not true and I would rather be dead then for that to be true"
"You don't understand"
"No I do, okay; I do understand...that's why I'm being like this" Henrietta began. Though her daughter didn't want to hear the truth, she was in total denial as she went to leave however her mother gently grabbed onto her arm..."No, no; listen please, darling...You seen other teenagers be like this, you're smarter than this"
"You think I'm stupid as well as a sad case?!"
"No I don't...Please, Ethan is a young man and you're still a child. No matter what you think, if this was somebody you didn't know, you would think the same"
She was a skilled debater and was trying to make her daughter see reason. Though it sadly didn't work for Maya grew up to be the same thing. Something wasn't wired in her brain, no amount of reasoning worked then or when she grew up. Despite Henrietta's best efforts back then.
"He does love me" Maya maintained.
"Please go home and get some rest, school can wait; please" Henrietta pleaded.
Making the schoolgirl finally relent as she nodded. Walking back home at last much to her mother's relief.
...
Around two hours have passed and Maya was now in her bedroom, she was busy reading. So Henrietta took this as an opportunity to leave the house because she had to confront her nephew Ethan. She walked all the way to Rosa's house where he was, barely stopping to take a breather. She didn't quite know how she would react to seeing him but the thought of him made her feel sick. Unlocking the door, she made her way in. Her aunt Rosa was currently in work (she worked in the local supermarket behind the till, nothing exciting). Thus she knew Ethan was alone. He was still in bed by this point, he did stay in there until 12 most days. Though he would get a shock soon enough as Henrietta pushed his bedroom door opened and removed his covers. Making him give a startled confused grunt...
"What?! What is it?" Ethan asked in slight panic; removing himself from the bed.
"I know everything" Henrietta hissed.
"About what?"
"About you abusing my daughter"
This made the young man panic even more (he knew what he was) but he didn't expect anyone to find out. His first thought was to blame Maya, he had the nerve to put the blame on his victim (as she was back then). Henrietta was just looking at him in disgust, she hated him now. For she could see from his reaction that he was guilty, he just had a guilty look on his face. She knew and he knew that she knew...
"Please Auntie, you got this all wrong; I'm not the father of her baby" Ethan began.
Though this just confirmed it, Henrietta didn't even mention that she was pregnant. He just got defensive over it before the topic even came up. Which just proved that he knew that and he knew his error.
"I didn't even have to bring it up did I? You disgusting thing! I gave you so much and you have to just thrown it back in my face!" Henrietta wept.
"I'm sorry...Alright, I'm sorry! But it wasn't just my fault, Maya was after me for weeks-" Ethan dared to try and explain.
Though he was interrupted as his aunt just slapped him. Making him stand back however she did it again before just hitting him everywhere she could. He just let her do this, she relented when he didn't defend himself. Crying as she turned around and faced outside the bedroom door, he was now kneeling on the floor. Almost as if he was trying to plead for her not to treat him like the scumbag he was.
"What are you going to do?" Ethan asked her.
"I'm going to call the police and then you're going to get arrested"
"Okay Auntie, it's what I deserve...I promise I won't lift a finger to stop you. Though if you do then the social services will be crawling all over Maya once the baby is born and she will have to go to court"
"I know the rules you stupid man!" Henrietta hissed; turning back towards him.
"Auntie...I promise you I won't go near Maya again; I will just leave her alone. You can ring the police but just know I won't go near her again if you don't"
"Are you trying to negotiate with me?" Henrietta asked in disbelief and disgust.
"No, I'm just" Ethan paused before he put on false tears..."You can't hate me anymore then I hate myself, every time I look in the mirror; I see nothing but a monster. Maya really was like a sister to me and I never ever thought I would hurt her in a million years"
"But you did! And you know you did!"
"I know and I feel disgusting thinking about it...I feel like I got the devil in my ear or something. Like it's not me when I do that, I kinda just do it without even thinking. I feel so bad for hurting her, you and John are like the mum and dad I never had"
He was trying to get on his aunt's weak side. Trying to bring up childhood memories and whatnot. Henrietta has dealt with abusers all the time so she knew this yet he was her nephew so the emotions were still there.
"You're a rapist!" Henrietta snarled.
"No I'm not...I know she's young but I didn't rape her, she gave me consent"
"She can't give you consent because she's a child. Do you understand that? Does that go through your sick twisted head?!"
"I'm not exactly old myself...I'm only nineteen"
"Oh poor little Ethan, poor nineteen year old Ethan" Henrietta paused before remarking..."You may be young Ethan but you're not some schoolboy who didn't know what he was doing, you knew exactly what you were doing"
"Did I though? I don't think so...I never had a proper girlfriend"
"Are you surprised?! No woman is going to touch you with a barge pole after this, I can tell you that much!"
And with that, she went to leave again. She wasn't going to fall for his 'woe is me' act that he was trying to put on. So he had to pull out something else as he changed his tone of voice as he gave her a warning...
"You tell the police on me Auntie and I will run away with your daughter the moment she turns 16! I mean it, she won't ever admit it to the police and neither will I. You can't force us to do a DNA test on the baby either"
"How dare you?!"
"Oh I dare...Because your daughter loves me and she loves what I do, so the moment you go running to the police, you may as well say goodbye"
"No you wouldn't...You just promised me you won't go near her again"
"Yeah if you don't tell the police, I won't go near her but if you tell the police; all bets are off. So ring them, do your worse"
Her nephew really was disgusting (and Maya would grow up to be no better). This really did make her think. She just hoped she could get through to Maya quickly (though of cause she never did).
...
16th September 1994
Months have passed and Henrietta was at her wit's end. Hardly anything has changed, John still didn't know the truth. Ethan was still free and Maya was still deluded into thinking nothing was wrong. She wanted to make Maya understand before she told the police, so that the claims will be legit and so there's no way for Ethan to be let go. Paul was told about this and he reluctantly agreed despite feeling sick to his stomach. She had banned Maya from Rosa's in the meantime. Though the schoolgirl managed to find a way out for she still met Ethan in secret. The man in question however was even less nice to her than before (if that was even possible). She was currently round there now...
"We can be together properly next year" Maya cooed to him; they were sat on the couch. The man just scoffed.
He liked having control over her but he had no use beyond that. Maya didn't seem to understand she was being used, a rather sad pattern. For Jacob would be the same decades later when it concerned her. The girl grabbed onto his hand however he slapped her hand away, removing himself from the couch. Storming upstairs, now his dirty little self was exposed; he no longer could act like that without having Henrietta's words in his ear. For he knew it was wrong (he just didn't really care). The schoolgirl followed him upstairs in confusion.
"What's wrong?" Maya asked him.
"You! You know I lost my Auntie because of you!" Ethan hissed.
"Mother will understand one day"
"Are you an airhead or what?! If she finds out I been near you, then I will go to jail. Is that what you want?!"
"No but she won't find out"
"Oh but you said that a long time ago and she found out didn't she?! Because you didn't try and get rid of the baby, abortion was very much an option you daft cow!"
"Please don't shout at me"
This just made him scoff again, he looked at her again very briefly. Maya was in tears by this point. Ethan hated the girl right now because he was no longer in control of the situation and he blamed her for it. In his sick mind, she told on him and she kept the evidence (which in this case was an innocent baby).
"I think we are going to have to finish things" Ethan finally spoke.
"No...Please don't, I will try and make things better. Please don't break up with me!"
Though he just gave her a glare and made his way into his bedroom. Slamming the door in her face and keeping a firm grip on the door handle so she couldn't open it. She kept crying out his name and saying sorry over and over. "Please don't leave me!" Maya also cried during the bouts of "Ethan!" and "I'm sorry!"
He really had made her think it was her fault. This resulted in the girl doing something rather drastic (and she would do this in the future too by causing herself to fall from the chair [so Jacob wouldn't leave her] or throwing herself out the moving car with Tracy, Leyla and Priya; knowing she was pregnant [as well] during the car incident years later). She took one look at the stairs and threw herself down there as a last ditch attempt of losing the baby and trying to keep her abuser to stay with her. Ethan heard the bang from his room and rushed out, Maya was lying at the bottom of the stairs having knocked herself out.
"Maya!" Ethan called as he ran to the bottom of the stairs; she was fading in and out of consciousness.
...
Having no choice, he rang an ambulance and she was sent to the nearest hospital. Her mother being called in straight away as she was a minor. Ethan never went with her because of cause he didn't, he only cared about saving his own skin. Her pregnancy was still kept from the doctors, they were never told until the end. Henrietta being very concerned as she walked into her room. Giving her daughter a hug as soon as she saw her...
"Oh Maya, what happened?" Henrietta asked with concern; barely able to let go. She just wanted to hug her and make sure she was alright.
"She had a nasty fall down some stairs but she should be alright" the nurse spoke up.
"Okay thank you"
The nurse gave the woman a small smile before retreating to somebody else. Henrietta pulling the chair next to the bed, still with her arm around her daughter. Looking around briefly, Henrietta felt her stomach. Hoping for the baby to kick or something, she needed proof the baby was fine too. The doctors didn't know the girl was pregnant so they didn't test it.
"Come on...kick" Henrietta spoke in a hushed tone; she was debating on whether to tell the doctor right now.
Though the truth was that she was ashamed to admit it. She was a legal barrister who dealt mostly with children's cases. How would it look if everyone at her work found out her fourteen (nearly fifteen) year old daughter was in the club? Yes, she knew it was a selfish thought but she thought it regardless.
"I hope it doesn't kick" Maya quietly remarked.
"What?"
"The baby...I hope it doesn't kick ever again"
"That's a disgusting thing to say, you don't mean it. You just had a shock"
Deep down the schoolgirl didn't mean it, she just wanted the problem to go away. She didn't really want the baby to die, even she wasn't that evil. More to the point, she was just a scared child at this point. Henrietta understood this and thus didn't press her further as she still kept her arm firmly around her.
...
1st November 1994
Paul left the household by this point, he and Henrietta were pretty much married on paper only by this stage. They both argued constantly over Ethan and telling the police, he finally left for he couldn't stand being in the same house as her (he said she may as well be complicit). Thus she was alone again, her wedding finger left on the side at home. As she made her way to the local pub. She left Maya at home on her own, they would constantly argue as well. Maya defending Ethan to the high heavens (which did nothing but make Henrietta angrier). It gotten to a point where mother and daughter could hardly stand being in the same room because every last one of their conversation always led back to that thing (which goes by the name Ethan). So here she was at the local pub, ordering another drink. The bartender remarking how it was usually her ex-husband John and not her in here. Which she tried to laugh off however she had no more joy left to give. A man in his early forties perched himself next to her on the stool at the bar. She didn't know him...
"Hello beautiful, what is a pretty lady like yourself doing on your own in a place like this?" the man questioned. Making his intentions pretty obvious.
"Take your pick" Henrietta replied with a sad smile.
A young Will Taylor sitting in the background at one of the tables however the two would never meet. He was just there living his own life, she didn't even look at him and notice him then, nor would she in years to come. Anyway, the man in question perched next to her took another sip from his drink.
"Like that it is? Oh well...Well you are far too pretty to be a down-and-out" the same man carried on.
"Thanks for your concern but I really would like a quiet drink by myself"
"Can't blame a man for trying"
And he went to leave however she quickly recanted herself as she said..."Sorry, I had a long bad day"
Making him sit back down for she would rather be used then be alone. This would never change of cause. The said man seemed to notice she was weak-willed as most women would tell him where to go but not her. He introduced himself as Harold, he was clearly after more than a chat. He began talking about bad days and Henrietta was vague, just saying it was a 'family argument'. Which he was only half-interested in hearing as he plied her with more wine. Her aunt Rosa always maintains that despite him being an alcoholic, John was still the best man her niece ever had. Which just said it all about the family really that John Stepney was the best sort of man they could hope for. For at least he was there and at least when he was sober, he treated Henrietta with a bit more respect then what they were use to. Though right now, she was with this Harold who was only after one thing.
"Too much wine...I got a daughter to get back to" Henrietta tried to say, finally coming to some sense.
"Let me come with you then, I wouldn't want you to walk back on your own"
She agreed as she picked up her handbag, holding onto his arm for support. They began walking from the said pub to the house. Harold looking like all his Christmases had come at once. He began getting a bit more obvious with his flirting and his intentions on the way home, even trying to sneak in a kiss. Which she refused with a nervous laugh afterwards, unlocking the door and going in.
"Good night, Harold" Henrietta stated firmly.
"You don't want me to go really...Let me come and sober up at least, have a cup of tea" Harold suggested.
Which she agreed to because once again, she craved company. Maya was upstairs in her bedroom fast asleep as it was around eleven at night. So she made him a cup of tea and sat with him in the living room. The man looked around slightly and noticed she still had a wedding photograph up. Which she quickly tried to distract him from...
"Long time ago" Henrietta insisted; they only broke up a few months ago in reality.
Harold however wasn't exactly a man with morals so he just nodded. Barely bothered one way or another about her status. After another a rather long chat about this that and the other, he asked to go in for a night cap. Without even so much of waiting for a response for he just presumed, the woman wasn't proud of herself mind. Though she had months of being in that bed alone and so she took anything. This was the similar thing she would tell Jacob about decades later.
...
A few hours have passed, it was around 2am. Henrietta had fallen asleep (for she did have sex with him and she would feel ashamed about it). Harold was just planting small kisses on her neck and twirling his finger around her curly hair while she slept. This was soon interrupted by a loud knocking on the bedroom door. As she untangled herself from him, putting on her clothes and dressing gown to make herself look decent. She unlocked her bedroom however Maya barged past her and was complaining about pains. They were just false contractions but she didn't know that. The girl was in tears as she felt her sides, asking her to mother to turn on the light.
"Maya...Let's go out; come on" Henrietta quickly suggested; the girl sat on the bed. Making Harold give out a small ouch.
She didn't realize her mother had somebody in the room with her. When she did however, she felt disgusted. Henrietta felt so ashamed, what sort of example is she setting? The girl was confused enough as it was. The girl walked out again down the hall and back into her bedroom despite her mother calling her name. Harold himself quickly getting dressed now as he gave a sigh.
"I'm sorry" Harold simply spoke while putting his shoes back on.
Henrietta could barely look at her one night stand, she just watched the back of him. Hearing his heavy footsteps on the stairs and then the front door being unlocked and then shut. The woman retreating into the the bathroom as she washed her hands and looked at herself in the mirror, the faint sound of Maya's crying in the bedroom was overheard. Making the woman go there as she opened the door...
"Go away!" Maya snapped; still grabbing onto her side and stomach.
"Please Maya...I'm so sorry darling, I am so sorry. I didn't want you to see that, let me help you" Henrietta begged.
"So you can have a boyfriend and I can't?!"
"He is not my boyfriend! And Ethan isn't yours...Look, I'm sorry you had to see that. I'm just being selfish"
Though the damage was done and Maya's hatred only grew. As she demanded her mother to get out again. Which the woman did as she retreated back into her bedroom, sitting down on the bed defeated.
...
18th December 1994
Today would be the birth and how it ended up at Rosa's was quite simple. Maya went over there on one of her secret visits to Ethan (unaware her great-aunt would be there). The woman called her niece Henrietta to let her know where she was as her contractions started up. In panic, Henrietta begged Paul to drive her as he has the car. He was aware she had slept with another man in his absence but he put that aside to help Maya. Driving over there in his car, they stopped outside; Rosa standing outside as she quickly invited them in. They found Maya in the living room.
"Oh Maya...it's okay, I'm here now" Henrietta gently spoke; helping her up from the floor. Her waters had broken.
"Please mother...Help me!" Maya cried.
Ethan was stood at the side looking down in shame (as he should). Paul giving him the nastiest glare you could imagine. As he just put his hand up as if to say, don't you dare come any closer. Henrietta leading Maya outside to the shed, putting down a towel in which she could lay. Another towel being put to the side to cover the baby when it was born. They really had kept it a secret from the doctors. They would later get out of it by claiming they didn't even know until today.
"Okay darling, it's going to be okay" Henrietta tried to say. Though she was trying to convince herself more than anyone else.
This birth would take hours as she later recalled to David, Liam and Leanna. Her husband Paul standing by the side feeling like a spare part. Rosa making her way over by this point as she expressed to them...
"I really think we ought to tell the doctor"
"No, we will do it here and then tell them we found the baby" Henrietta maintained.
"I don't think that's a good idea...I'm not saying you should be proud of this but it isn't like when I was Maya's age no more. The doctors won't take the baby away to some convent, those days are over"
"Oh I know that Auntie...Just close the shed door and make sure nobody is paying this any mind"
"Alright but I think you're making a big mistake, you have no medical training. And Maya's just a bairn herself...Though yes, I will make sure nobody finds out what's going on"
"Thank you, Auntie"
With one last look, Rosa left the shed and shut it. Leaving Henrietta to carry on despite her worries. Ethan looking up when his great-grandmother returned, nervously biting his fingernails. The older woman didn't know what he has done, she had brought him up since he was a baby. She wouldn't ever imagine he would do anything like that (nobody ever told her).
"Gran-gran...How is she?" Ethan asked with false concern.
"Your auntie is going to help her give birth and then the baby will be taken away, so don't tell a soul. The baby is going very soon...We won't see it again after this" Rosa paused, wiping away tears as she quickly said "Excuse me" and retreated into the kitchen so he wouldn't see her crying.
For the last time, Ethan felt general guilt as he looked into the back garden. After this, he became even more cold-hearted. This was truly the last day that the monster ever gave a damn about anybody but himself.
...
The sounds of a baby crying filled the shed some hours later. Maya having to give a natural birth, she thought she was going to die several times during it. For she was fifteen by this point (her birthday having been last month). Ethan could hear this from the house, his great-grandmother Rosa in the living room still. She got up when she realized it must finally be done and for some reason, Ethan followed her. Maybe he just wanted to see his child for the last time. Paul was given the baby as he wrapped it around in the towel, Maya was exhausted as she leaned back against the lawn mower behind her. Her mother giving her one last feel on the forehead. She noticed Rosa and Ethan standing outside, she could hardly believe he dared to show his face (he was using Rosa as some sort of shield). The baby's crying was already waning in volume.
"Maya, you got a boy...Do you want to hold him?" Henrietta questioned.
Though the girl just shook her head much to her mother's shock. The truth was Maya really did want to hold him but she was afraid that if she looked at him, all she would see was Ethan. Henrietta getting up from the floor as Paul passed her the baby, he felt exhausted just watching the scene.
"This might be your last chance" Henrietta reminded her (and it would be).
"Just take him away! I don't want to see him!" Maya wept.
Paul urging her to just come quickly and so she did. Having to leave Maya with Rosa as the baby needed to be taken to the nearest hospital. Ethan began following them to the car and he actually had the nerve to get in the back seat. Henrietta just telling Paul to just drive as it was better for him to be there then with Maya.
"Are you serious?" Paul asked her with disbelief.
"Please, the baby needs to go to the doctors; don't prolong this for me" Henrietta cried.
Looking at what was going on around him, he just nodded. Getting into the front seat, Henrietta sitting besides him with the baby. As soon as the car hit the road, he began picking up his speed. The baby was still crying and Henrietta tried to calm him down as she rocked him slightly. Ethan grabbing onto his hair, he could barely listen to the baby because he was as guilty as sin...
"Shut the Hell up!" Ethan snapped.
"Ethan...Please don't" Henrietta pleaded.
Trying her best to calm down the baby while she carried on rocking him. Ethan however didn't stop cussing at it to shut up and whatnot. Paul driving only getting faster, there was so much loud noises that they barely noticed the baby getting quieter. Turning to the final corner, suddenly everyone stopped talking. What felt like a deathly silence filled the car as Henrietta looked upon the baby again. She began to shake him slightly...
"No...No, hey; hey...Wake up, come on baby; wake up for your grandma" Henrietta began in a nervous tone of voice.
Paul looking down upon the child. He had stopped crying and he was no longer breathing. Henrietta was shaking him however it did no good. Though she carried on talking and saying 'Wake up'. Kept expecting the baby to cry again, Ethan looking from the back seat as he finally shut his vile mouth.
"He can't be dead" Ethan uttered; making Paul turn back on the engine as he resumed driving.
Parking outside, not caring that it wasn't a parking space. As he forced his door open and rushed to the other side to let Henrietta out of the car. Ethan just remained in the car as he watched them rush into the emergency department. Henrietta could no longer talk as she cradled her deceased grandson in her arms. Paul shouting for some assistance and this came in the form of a nurse. She noticed it was a baby so she immediately took them to the maternity department. Henrietta still muttering "Wake up" to the baby, tears wouldn't stop coming.
"We need to take a look at the baby" one of the doctors spoke up to her. She passed him to the doctor, barely thinking; she was subconsciously carrying out the plan.
She looked down upon her hands and they were empty of cause. The baby was being looked at by a few doctors and that one nurse. Paul keeping one arm around his wife for nothing else mattered right now. The sounds of babies crying in the background could be heard as well as new mothers and fathers all sounding delighted. That's how things should be but not for them, never for them. Henrietta could no longer feel time passing so she knew not how long it was when the same nurse returned to her...
"I'm sorry...The baby has passed away...I'm so sorry" the nurse spoke.
"Dead? There's nothing you can do?" Paul questioned; he was the only one who could speak right now.
"I'm so sorry, he was already dead when you brought him in. Are you the mother and father?"
"No, no we're not; we just found him"
That was the lie they had planned however Henrietta couldn't lie. He was her grandson and she didn't want to deny him. He's just going to be so lonely she thought, he will be buried without a name and nobody will visit him. So the woman found her voice again as she tearfully confessed...
"I'm his grandmother"
Paul looking at her with slight shock however he just gave a nod to confirm this. The nurse understood as she questioned..."Where is the mother or father?"
"She's at my auntie's but she's only fifteen and we didn't think it was appropriate. She knows he's dead" Henrietta lied.
"Okay"
...
Some more time have passed and she was asked to register the birth and death. She did think about the name for a bit, Maya hasn't even thought of one. Though she was currently studying Alexander The Great and that seemed to be only joy she was getting out of life right now. She loved doing her history project, so with a slight pause; Henrietta announced...
"Alexander Stepney is his name"
And they gave her a nod, writing it down. Paul giving them a small thank you, putting his arm around Henrietta again. They walked slowly back to the car, the morgue telling them they will ring them back and explain more about the funeral and burial. Ethan sitting in the car and seeing them walk back empty-handed. They got in the car without even so much of a glance.
"Is he dead?" Ethan asked them.
"Yes" Henrietta confirmed.
Making the lad lean back as he cried into his hands. Which was the last time he showed any emotion without some interior motive. The drive back home felt like torture, Henrietta had no intention of telling Maya the truth. This was breaking her heart, she didn't want to put that onto a fifteen year old child. Paul pulled over outside the house, the living room light was on. Rosa was currently trying comfort the fifteen year old Maya and for that, Henrietta was grateful (at least somebody was with her). The woman breathed in slightly, wiping away the rest of her tears as she looked between her nephew and husband and stated firmly...
"I'm going to tell Maya he is being adopted and I want you both to stick to that story. Because I am not having my little girl in as much pain as what I'm feeling right now"
Ethan just gave her a nod back. Paul soon following suit as he said..."If that's what you want".
So that was settled then as Henrietta wiped away the rest of her tears. Having to brace herself as she got out the car. The two men getting out the car and following her into the house. Maya got up as soon as she noticed they were back as the girl asked her mother...
"Where is he?"
"He is erm...We took him to the hospital and explained how we found him. They said they will find a loving mum and dad for him very soon"
Maya was barely able to reply when she felt her mother wrap her arms around her. Pulling her in for a hug, bursting into tears when she did so. She wouldn't let go, knowing her grandson died in her arms was killing her inside. In hindsight, lying to Maya was a bad thing but in the moment; all she could think was that it was killing her. She didn't want her daughter to feel that way.
"Oh I love you so much Maya, I'm never ever going to let anyone hurt you again" Henrietta sobbed.
This was a promise she never kept. For a week and a half later, she would send her to live with her father. Paul and Ethan could barely watch this scene as the two men made their way into the kitchen. They took a bunch of cider cans into the living room and shut the door, both of them drinking. Rosa shaking her head as she remained with her niece and great-niece...
"He's going to be adopted?" Maya managed to ask.
"Yes...I'm sorry. You stay with auntie Rosa, mum's got to make a few calls" Henrietta replied, trying to hold back the rest of her tears.
Quickly making her way upstairs, she could barely look her daughter in the eye after telling her that lie. Rosa was barely told anything either however she refused to leave Maya on her own as she took the girl upstairs into the other room. Her mother crying in the bathroom, Rosa knew something was up. As she led Maya into her bedroom and told her to have a little rest for it's been a long day.
...
19th December 1994
John was called in the next day as he went round to Rosa's. They all stayed the night there, Ethan and Paul having drank until they passed out so they were still in the living room. Just asleep. John was soon greeted by Henrietta as she gave her ex-husband a small hug. Taking him by the hand as she took him into the back garden. Maya was still asleep upstairs with Rosa. Henrietta didn't tell him much on the phone, just that he has to come round and that's she has something very important to tell him. So with a confused look on his face, he urged her to tell him what's going on...
"Maya gave birth yesterday to a little boy but it all happened so fast" Henrietta began to explain.
Barely able to get her words out.
"What? And where is my grandson now?" John asked.
"He's...He didn't make it, John. I'm sorry" Henrietta whimpered.
"Eh?"
"He died not long after the birth, I think the doctors are calling him a stillborn but he did live for a little bit"
"Why didn't you ring me yesterday? I should have been there...I got to go up and see Maya, she will need me"
Though he felt Henrietta quickly grab onto his arm. She didn't know and she wanted it to stay that way. John was barely keeping himself together, he wasn't one to cry in front of others. His ex-wife and his daughter needed him to remain strong and this he would try and do however his drinking habit made him unreliable.
"She doesn't know...She thinks he's being adopted" Henrietta confessed to him.
"You haven't told her? He's her son, Ettie...What are you thinking?!"
"Because it's killing me! Can you imagine what it would do to her? She's in her final year at school and has important exams coming up, this will destroy her. We can't go telling her, please"
"And what does Paul and Rosa think about this? Hm?"
"They understand"
"Well that's funny because I don't! No, she has to find out. I'm not keeping this from her, I'm not going to be able to look her in the eye and tell her that her little boy is alright. How can you do that?"
"Look, I got a plan...I can tell her he passed away after she has done her exams and then it won't be as bad"
"That's your plan?! And what do you mean, it won't be as bad? You are going to lie to her for months about her own son and then spring it on her out of the blue? You think that's not going to affect her?"
"Well what else am I going to do?! I tell her now and she won't have a future because we all know this will just break her. She's fifteen John, she's won't be able to handle it and you know it"
John understod her reasons why but he knew the repercussions of lying will be worse. They surely couldn't just wait until after her exams. So the man just shook his head, he couldn't do that to her. Though Henrietta was adamant this was the right thing to do right now, she constantly lied to her throughout her childhood. It was with good intentions but it made an already confused Maya worse and made her think lying was okay when she got older.
"What did you call him?" John questioned.
"Alexander"
"Alex...I bet he was beautiful like his mother in '79"
"He was"
"Okay, we won't tell her until her exams are over. I just wish I got to see him...It should have been me there, not Paul"
"I know and I'm sorry"
With a slight pause, she gave him another hug.
...
23rd December 1994
Today was the day of Alexander Stepney's funeral. It was quickly organised by a heartbroken Henrietta. She had to sneak out the house early in the morning, leaving a still sleeping Maya a note saying she's had to go to an important meeting at work. She was wearing her black dress and black shoes, so it was pretty obvious she was going to a funeral. Her husband Paul in his black suit as he drove her to Rosa's. This is the meeting place, Rosa and Ethan already up as they too sat in black. This was the worse thing Henrietta would ever have to do, burying her grandson. Maya would later be buried next to him of cause. Time passed but it felt timeless. Rosa made everyone a cup of tea while they waited for John's arrival. A car would soon pick them up and take them to the local church. A knock on the door was heard and they expected it to be John as Henrietta excused herself. It has been a few hours now since she left her house. She opened the door and found Maya much to her surprise.
"Mother...What are you doing here? I got your note, I just wanted to see great-auntie Rosa" Maya insisted.
She had no idea what was going on as she made her way past. Wandering into the living room to find everyone in black. Like they were going to a funeral (and of cause they were). Rosa standing up to greet her great-niece. Though there was a dead silence from everyone else.
"Maya, what are you doing here?" Rosa questioned.
"Just came round to see you-" Maya paused slightly, asking in confusion "What's going on? Why are you all dressed in black? I mean...Nobody died, have they?"
Rosa just looked at her niece, not knowing what to say. Henrietta giving a nervous laugh however there was no joy in it. She didn't know what to say. Maya however wasn't stupid, somebody has died.
"It's not daddy is it?" Maya then asked tearfully.
"No...No! Your dad's fine...Everyone you know is fine"
"Then whose funeral is it?"
Just as Henrietta was going to come up with another lie. The funeral car pulled up outside, Maya shoving past her mother again as she opened the front door. A funeral car with a small coffin with the word 'Grandson' surrounded by blue flowers was seen. Her world just seemed to shatter as the schoolgirl approached it with disbelief. Her mother trying to tell her to go back home however the truth was out, there was no going back.
"You said he was adopted" Maya spoke in confusion.
"I did and I'm sorry I told you that" Henrietta spoke with tears falling down.
The girl carried on walking to the car as she pressed her hand against the glass. She sort of blacked out this memory in adulthood. Maya just kept looking at the coffin with disbelief, she noticed the blue flowers surrounding it being the only thing in there. Henrietta walking over to her again...
"Why hasn't he got a teddy? All babies need a teddy...He hasn't got anything" Maya began.
"Please go back inside...You don't have to see this" Henrietta pleaded.
John having finally made it to the house by this point. The man made his way over there very quickly. His first thought was also to get his daughter inside and away from this, the funeral director standing in the background. John mouthing 'Soon' to him. As he grabbed Maya by the hand and gently led her away. He really didn't want to have to choose between going to the funeral and staying with his daughter but he had to. So he just told his ex-wife...
"You go...Me and Maya will stay behind, I will pay my respects at the grave later"
Henrietta just giving him a nod. The others making their way out, Rosa giving Maya a quick hug as she told her "I'm sorry", having to leave her with her father John. He led her back inside, removing his tie and blazer with a sigh. Shutting the door, he wasn't in a good mood. This is exactly what he was worried about, his daughter finding out from somebody else and thus making it even worse somehow.
"You said he was adopted" Maya kept muttering under her breath.
"It was your mother's idea...I only went along with it because she claimed it was for the best. I wanted to tell you straight away" John replied.
"Ethan should be here...I want Ethan"
"He will be back later"
John still had no idea about his abuse of his daughter, nor that he was the father of the baby. That would change today. As a grieving Maya began pacing around the room, asking for Ethan. He understands she thought, losing a baby that young did obviously affect her. Though it didn't excuse anything and she knew it, hence why she never brought it up again. Not even when Leyla claimed she didn't understand because she's not got 'any children of her own'.
"Ethan understands" Maya carried on muttering.
"We all do...We will get through this as a family" John tried to say. Still not catching onto what she was saying.
"But me and Ethan made him together, so we understand more"
"What are you talking about?"
Maya finally stopped pacing about, sitting herself down on the couch. She was ready to tell him the truth. Her mother had lied to them all she thought, she was sick of the lies and the cover-ups. Now she lost her son, she didn't think she had much left to lose at this point. It was amazing she managed to get her life on any sort of track after this. Though she just focused on her education and little else for the rest of her days.
"Mother has been telling us all lies it seems...The father of my baby wasn't some boy at my school, he's Ethan" Maya confessed.
"Maya, that's not funny"
"I wasn't trying to be...Ethan and me have been together for three years now"
"What is this? Why are you telling me these sick jokes?"
"It's the truth! You never seen me with any other boy, so how else would I get pregnant? Don't worry though, mother put a stop to it because I can't have anything of my own...I can't even go to my own son's funeral"
This made the schoolgirl finally break down in tears. John was just looking in disbelief, he kept thinking this was some sick joke. They been in a 'relationship' for three years? No, that's can't be right. The child is fifteen years old and he is nineteen, turning twenty in just three months.
"Stop saying these things...Ethan wouldn't have laid a finger on you" John tried to say. Sitting down besides her.
"He didn't daddy...We fell in love, that's all"
"Are you telling me your nineteen year old cousin got you pregnant?"
"Yes"
This just made him look at her with disbelief. He didn't believe her, he didn't want to. That was a sick thing to think about. Maybe she didn't know what she was saying or at least that's what he hoped. She just found out her son has died, she wasn't thinking straight. John was trying every excuse in the book.
"No...Please Maya, stop telling me these things if they aren't true" John carried on.
"Oh it's true, mother lied to you...She lies to everyone, that's why he's there today. To say goodbye to his son"
...
Some hours has passed and the funeral-goers all returned to the house. Maya had gone back home. John didn't want to let her go but she went nonetheless, so he was sat in the house alone and in silence. Ethan was the first to enter as he just gave his old step-uncle a small nod, not knowing he knew. Rosa offering to make everyone a cup of tea again, mainly to keep things as normal as possible. Henrietta walked in not long after to find John just sitting there in quiet indignation.
"Where's Maya?" Henrietta asked him.
"She erm...She's gone home"
"Okay? Listen, the grave will be there in a few hours. So you can go later, I gave him one of Maya's old teddy bears. I was a wreck but the vicar was very lovely, he read a lovely poem for us...'On our first son' it was called"
"I see"
"Are you okay?" Henrietta paused slightly as she quickly added..."Stupid question"
Paul however seemed to twig onto the fact he knew. He doesn't even know how but something about it seemed to point to that. For John kept looking at Ethan with his palms all sweaty, he had itchy palms; meaning he wanted to hit him. The only thing stopping him right now was because it was the day of his grandson's funeral. The timing was awful (not like there was ever a good time to hear something like that).
"Ettie...Please go to Maya; she's at home" John demanded (that wasn't a request).
"Yes, you're right, I should...Not like she will want me anywhere near her right now. Come round later, John. We should have a family meal together like old times" Henrietta suggested.
"Just go"
"Okay...See you all later"
And with that, she left the house. John looked towards Ethan again as he stood up, demanding he come outside with him now. He has to talk about something rather important however Ethan seemed to understand his meaning. With only the slightest pause, Ethan shoved past everyone and ran out the front door. Making John give chase (he didn't even have to say anything, the lad knew that he knew).
"Oi! Get back here you sick little runt!" John hissed.
As the older man chased him down the street, getting some stares from locals. Ethan was much younger however he wasn't in the best shape so John was always not long behind. He shoved past anyone in his path. Trying to lose him as he went down different paths and whatnot. Though John was equally as determined not to lose him so he still kept up, the lad eventually stopped as he had a sudden pain from running. Making John grab him as soon as he got closer enough...
"Please John! I don't know what's up!" Ethan yelled as a final last-ditch attempt of denial.
"Then why did you run?!" John spat.
"I don't know...I panicked, I'm sorry"
"Oh really? You panicked when I said nothing?! I treated you like a son, Ethan! I use to go and watch you play football on the weekend because your own dad and mum couldn't be bothered and this is how you repay me?!" John snarled.
"Please John...Please don't do anything to me" Ethan begged like the little coward he was.
John really did mean it when he said he was like a son to him. So this really hurt him, even more so when he had to admit Paul was right all this time. So he stepped back slightly, barely able to take it all in. The locals walking past were slightly confused as they watched the two men in smartly dressed suits quarrel. Ethan just taking this as his chance to go again as he tried to slump away...
"No you don't! You are coming back with me!" John hissed.
Grabbing him by the rough of his collar, telling the witnesses to go away.
...
24th December 1994
Today was Christmas Eve. It was the day after the reveal, John pretty much guarding Ethan's every move. Henrietta was now well aware that he knew however for once; she put Maya first and remained with her. Now John knows, she thought he can do what he so wishes. All day long, Henrietta remained with her daughter while John stayed with Ethan. Mainly to keep them apart for they were wondering what to do now. John's first thought was to ring the police of cause however Henrietta explained that if he does then Ethan will run away with Maya first chance he gets. So after thinking things over, John insisted Henrietta bring Maya over so they could all have a chat. Rosa was still in the dark (and always would be) as the woman was insistent on doing the traditional family buffet. She thought the tensions were high because of poor little Alexander and his death being kept from Maya. So she was doing this to try and bring the family back together as some sort of unit. A knock on the door meanwhile was heard, John presumed it was his ex-wife and daughter. As he answered it however no it wasn't, it was Ethan's estranged mother Georgina Stepney. Henrietta's sister and Maya's auntie, Rosa being her grandmother. Georgina was a rather large woman in girth, she was overweight. The only thing she shared with the women in the family being her blonde curly hair. So there she stood in her inappropriately summer dress, she just returned from Tenerife.
"Hello Johnny boy!" Georgina exclaimed; giving him two big kisses on his cheeks. She was a rather forceful personality.
As she barged right past him and into the living room. Greeting her grandmother Rosa with the same amount of gusto. Her suitcase and bag being left in the hallway, she was making her usual yearly visit at Christmas. Her son Ethan just looking at his mother and wishing she wasn't here. Those who knew would be quite tempted to tell her what he has done, he didn't want that of cause.
"So when is my sister and her mini me coming?" Georgina questioned.
"Soon" John managed to reply.
"How old is Maya now? 14?"
"15"
"Aww...Only seems like yesterday when she was a little baby doesn't it? Anyway, talking of babies. How are you, Ethan?" Georgina asked.
Finally turning her attention to her son. She would have no idea of what sort of monster she brought into the world. For despite her faults as a mother and she had many, she would never see her as son as that.
"I'm fine mother...Just bobbing along without you" Ethan passive aggressively answered.
"Okay honey, okay but I always left you in safe hands haven't I? Grandma is an amazing woman"
"I know but she's not my mother"
John just gave a slight scoff, how dare he think he got any right to get sympathy from anyone. Even if he is right in this case, him being a dirty little creep kinda mutes everything else doesn't it? The front door soon opened again as Henrietta entered with Maya, she stopped dead in her tracks when she spotted her sister.
"Henrietta! Nice to see you too!" Georgina shouted with joy as she hugged her younger sister.
"When did you get here?"
"Not long before you actually...I just got back from the wonderful Tenerife! Anyway, how is my favourite niece?"
"She's fine"
Georgina gave a slight laugh as she questioned..."Can 'she's fine' not speak for herself?"
"I'm fine" Maya confirmed.
Her mother with her arm firmly around her. Acting like she was some shy toddler, not a teenager. Georgina just giving an amused laugh as she retreated back into the living room, helping herself to some of the buffet. She had no idea about anything that has taken place, not the baby; not anything.
"Honestly guys...Lighten up!" Georgina exclaimed.
"Shut up!" John hissed.
"Ooh...The big man gonna make me shut up is he? What my sister ever saw in you John, I will never know. I mean, you're not exactly a wax sculpture are ya? And you drink more than soft Mick" Georgina spoke with a small chuckle.
"He's been there more then you" Rosa spoke up.
"Oh wow...Ganging up on me are ya?" Georgina jested; still with that stupid laugh.
Nobody knew what to say to her really. For she's come back at the worse time and she was clueless. Henrietta was thinking that they shouldn't tell her anything because she quite clearly is only here for a bit and then she will leave again to go to Cyprus or Greece, one of those places. So what's the point really?
...
25th December 1994
The family were all together currently for the traditional Christmas dinner. Though now she slept on it, Henrietta could bear it no more. As she looked towards her sister and asked her to come upstairs with her. Ethan looked on edge however he already had his fake story if he was asked. So with a slight sigh, Georgina followed her sister upstairs and into one of the bedrooms. The woman didn't even know Maya was pregnant, let alone who the father was or that he died.
"Georgina...You won't like what I'm about to tell you but I have to" Henrietta began.
Her sister did look generally concerned.
"Go on" Georgina urged her.
"Okay, we erm...My daughter Maya was pregnant and we lost the baby. Hence why we been so down"
This confession made Georgina very shocked. She always felt like her sister looked down her nose at her and all this time, her daughter was in the pudding club at fifteen. Of cause however, she didn't know the full story of how this came to be. Some schoolboy she suspected. She wouldn't have predicted her own son being the culprit, what mother would? So she just presumed that was it.
"I didn't think she had it in her...She's such a dainty little thing and what do you mean you lost the baby? It's never dead" Georgina managed to reply.
"Alexander...He was called Alexander"
"I'm sorry to hear it, Henrietta. The poor thing...No wonder she looks a state. I best say sorry to John too, I never would have shot my mouth off yesterday had I known"
"I know but that's not everything. I need you to listen to me very carefully because we are at our wit's end. Your son did this to her, I know it's a lot to take in but you have to believe me...He's a monster, Georgina. You seen how he is"
"Wait...So let me get this straight, your precious little mini me gets pregnant and you put the blame on my son? Because he's an easy target, that right?"
"No! Maya admitted it to me, it's in her diary-" Henrietta quickly got interrupted again...
"Most girls write about Elvis or John Travolta in their diary or whatever teen idol there is but your daughter writes about her simple cousin...I think your daughter is the sick one here" Georgina remarked with a cruel laugh.
"Why aren't you listening to me? She's been a nervous wreck for months, she never had a proper boyfriend. And more to the point, your sick little son admitted it to me! He told me everything!" Henrietta yelled.
"Ha! He's simple, Ettie...You know that, he wouldn't know what he was saying. The schools always said he was special"
"How dare you not take this seriously! Why aren't you taking in what I just said?!"
"Maybe because what you just said is ridiculous! Ha! My Ethan getting a girl pregnant? Never, he can barely tie his own shoe laces"
"Please! You have to believe me! I know it's a lot to take in but it's true! Your son is not who you think he is"
She was trying so hard to get her sister to believe her but she wouldn't. As the woman just shoved past her sister and called her son's name. Ethan nervously making his way up for he has been standing at the bottom of the stairs throughout that entire argument. He made his way up the stairs to his mother and aunt. Georgina taking him into the other room, it was clear to everyone there that her mind was already made up. In her eyes, her son was just a harmless simpleton.
"Your aunt has been making very serious accusations about you, did you know that?" Georgina began to question him.
"Yeah but it's not true! I wouldn't touch her...She's like a little sister to me"
"Oh I know that but why does everyone else seem to think differently?"
"Because Maya is a little lying tart! She flirts with every boy in her class, I seen her do it too. I don't think she knows who the father is, mother...That's the truth, I don't know why she wrote about me in her diary either; very strange"
"Your auntie seems to think you confessed, what's that about?"
"I don't know...She got me confused, I panicked 'cause I thought I was getting in trouble over something else and she jumped to the wrong thing" Ethan maintained.
He kept up the appearance of being stupid. He wasn't quite as stupid as what his mother thought he was. Ethan knew what he was doing, he was acting the role of a 'gentle giant' which he was very far from but it kept his mother and great-grandmother in the dark, so he just performed his little act in front of them.
"I knew it...Right, you stay there honey; I'm going to have words with the little madam. Because it's not a joke" Georgina stated.
Storming down the stairs despite her sister trying to stop her. Not even Maya losing her baby deterred her. As she grabbed the schoolgirl by the hair much to everyone's shock and pulled her outside the front garden. Henrietta trying to get her sister to let her daughter go but she just got a hard smack back.
"You been telling lies about my son, Maya?!" Georgina hollered.
"No I haven't...I tried to make them see it wasn't his fault, please!"
"No it wasn't his fault because he didn't do anything! You're sick in the head, girl. Making up lies about a simple-minded lad, I bet you made it up because you don't know who the father is and the little tart that you are got scared!"
She still had her hand gripped around the girl's hair when she felt John pull her back. Chunks of the girl's blonde hair in her hand remained. Georgina was not a nice woman at all, Maya would take far more of her traits then her mother's. John just told her to get back inside now. Maya was just shaken as she remained frozen still, her hair being all messed up. Henrietta never would have told her sister had she knew that would be her reaction. She went to place her arm around her daughter but Maya cried out...
"Don't touch me! You already caused enough damage!"
"Look I will take her to mine" John suggested.
"Fine...Maybe you can speak some sense into her because I clearly can't"
And that was it, she moved out and never looked back. Ethan was inside meanwhile with his mother, getting mollycoddled. That's all the fifteen year old Maya could take from it as she just shoved past her mother and began away with John. He would later collect her things from the house and she rarely visited after that.
...
TBC