Chapter III: Hope and Defeat

(Mrs Madeline Drake, Ronny's mother's POV)

Of course, it came as a shock to all of us, and I suppose it was very traumatic for Carol, being the mother. She'd actually gone into hysterics when she'd heard the news. Ronny hadn't spoken much since then. Now he was standing with the other men and the doctor trying to find a solution, whilst I sat with Mrs King who was staring blankly at a portrait of a vase of flowers on the wall across the room. I felt sorry for her. I felt sorry for us all.

A few minutes after hearing the news, and the initial shock wore off, I'd called Bobby, my eldest son. A mutant himself. I think he'd sounded surprised to hear from me. Ever since the day he'd revealed to us his secret, the majority of the family had shunned him.

It was mostly Ronny's influence I suppose. After losing one son, we didn't want to lose the other one by him running away, for I knew of Ronny's strong anti-mutant beliefs. As a teen he attended many rallies and protests against the mutants. He had tons of anti-mutant objects and posters on his walls and congesting his room. He even attended one of the 'Mutilate the Mutants' concert tour shows, promoting the 'Pureblood' campaign. I had my misgivings, butmy husband, William had though it good that Ronny was getting more socially active and aware. But at the price of my son?

I'll admit that the first few months were hard to deal with. I thought that someway there could be a cure for Bobby. I almost couldn't accept it. People had always described mutancy as a disease. I thought maybe perhaps a psychic could help rid Bobby of his powers, but my husband had always assured me that our son was lost. Thus, Bobby was cut off from the family. I suppose for all those years he'd thought I despised him along with the rest, but later I realized that what the family thought didn't matter. Bobby was my son! I was his mother, and nothing would change that. He'd never done anything to harm me and although the others wouldn't accept him…I would.

"Madeline!"

I heard my name, and joinedWilliam and the others. Mrs King was ushered over too. The blank, grieved look was still in her eyes.

"We've reached a decision that the only solution for the child is adoption…" my husband stated.

Mrs King nodded grimly.

"Oh…" I responded. At least they weren't planning on killing the poor thing. I thought of all the special grandparents' moment I'd miss with the child, then I realized something…

The men began to arrange something with the doctor. "Wait!" I said. They all turned to face me. "There…there is someone I've just thought of, someone I think who's be willing to care for the baby." For a second, my eyes met Ronny's. A trace of hatred flickered across his face. He knew of whom I spoke.

---------------------------------------------------

A few hours later, Ronny sat beside Carol who was awake and a lot calmer than before. Ronny had explained to Carol, his mother's suggestion. Carol was silent for a long while, and ever so often a stream of emotion flashed across her sullen face, as she thought it out in her head.

At long last she replied. "Fine…whatever is done to get that thing out of hands…"

Ronny nodded slowly. "Okay…" He stood up, to go and tell everyone else that the final decision has been approved. As he turned away, Carol grabbed his arm. Ronny looked back at her, she was glaring at him, something fierce. Ronny was a mite puzzled.

"I just want you to know…that its all your fault," she commented, her hazel eyes narrowing at him.

"What!" he recoiled from her grasp. "How could you say something like that?" He snapped, thoroughly disgusted.

"We all know that males are the ones who carry the mutant gene…"

A tension filled silence crowded the room. Ronny looked as though he wanted to retort, but he refrained and just left the room, shoulders sagged.

(Ronny's POV)

It was hard to believe after all these years, karma finally came around. My first child was a mutant. The very thing I'd worked so hard to protest against, and worst of all I knew it was probably my fault. I definitely couldn't live with myself after this.

And then my mom had suggested Bobby keep the baby. I can't believe the one person I hate the most; who betrayed me, is my only hope. It shouldn't be this way. Somehow, he should be begging me for help!

I walked down the hall, swimming in my thoughts, until I reached the others. They all looked at me with questioning eyes. I nodded in reply, I hadn't heart at that moment to admit my defeat.

My dad put a hand on my shoulder, as my mom began dialing the numbers…