I shakily asked, “Jack, what’s up? You scare me.”
After inhaling, he exclaimed, “Emily, I don’t think… I doubt we can keep them.”
Like the ground fell out from under me. “What?” Choked. “What are you talking about, Jack? Those are our daughters!”
Like he couldn’t stand my face, he winced and glanced away. “My mom visited a fortune teller,” he whispered.
Unsure if I heard him, I blinked. “Fortuneteller? You can’t be serious, Jack.”
According to her, these infants are our girls. Paused, his voice shaky. “She said they’d bring bad luck. That they would ruin my life and kill me.”
Gazing at him, I gasped, attempting to understand what he said. “That’s insane, Jack. Just babies!”
Looking down, he was terrified. Mom swears by this fortune teller. Although she has been correct before, she has never been so confident.
Hot and stinging rage rose. So you want to ab.a.n.d. on them because of a foolish prediction? Just leave them?”
He stopped, looking at me with remorse and terror. “If you want to bring them home… fine,” he whispered. “I won’t be there. Emily, I apologize.”
I tried to understand his remarks but felt sh.o.c.k. “You’re serious, right?” Voice broke. “You’re leaving your daughters over a story your mother heard?” He remained silent. His shoulders dropped as he gazed down.
I breathed shakily to stay calm. “If you walk out that door, Jack, you don’t come back,” I whispered. I won’t allow you hurt our girls.”
He glanced at me one more time, his face torn, then turned and left. After saying “I’m sorry, Em,” he gently went, leaving footsteps in the corridor.
I stared staring at the empty doorway, my heart racing and mind racing. A nurse walked back in, saw my face, and laid a hand on my shoulder, offering wordless consolation as I grabbed my belongings.
Looking down at my babies, tears blurred my vision. “Don’t worry, girls,” I soothed, petting each small head. “I’m here. I’m always here.”
Holding them near made me fearful and determined. I had no idea how I would do this alone, but I would never leave my girls. Not ever.
Jack left a few weeks earlier, and every day without him was harder than expected. Caring for three newborns alone was exhausting.
Some days I barely survived, but I kept going for Sophie, Lily, and Grace. Though Jack’s ab.an.do.nm.ent was heartbreaking, I had to focus on them since they were my world.
Beth, my sister-in-law, helped with the babies one afternoon. I decided to stay in touch with her because she was the only family member ready to do so, hoping she could encourage Jack to return. I could see she was upset that day.
Beth looked at me in anguish as she bit her lip. Emily, I heard something… I don’t sure if I should tell you, but I can’t keep quiet.”
My heart pounded. “Tell me.”
She breathed deeply and sighed. I heard Mom and Aunt Carol talking. She stated that there was no fortune teller.
I froze. “No fortune teller?”
Beth looked at her with empathy. Mom invented it. She thought Jack would spend less time with her having triplets. She thought… She believed convincing him that the females would bring ill luck would keep him close.
It felt like the room was spinning. What I heard was unbelievable. My rage was so strong I had to put Grace down before my shaking hands gave away.
“That woman,” I murmured, furious. “She tore my family apart for selfish reasons.”
Beth comforted my shoulder. Emily, I’m sorry. She may not have anticipated his departure, but… You should know the truth.”
No sleep that night. Part of me wanted to confront my mother-in-law about her actions. But I also wanted to tell Jack the truth and hope he returned.
The next morning, I called Jack. Dialing made my hands quiver as each ring got longer. Finally, he replied.
“Jack, it’s me,” I said, steady. “We must talk.”
He sighed. I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Emily.”
“Just listen,” I said, trying not to be shaken. Jack, there was no fortune teller. Your mother lied.”
The stillness was long. Then he talked calmly yet dismissively. Emily, I disagree. My mother wouldn’t lie so seriously.”
“She did, Jack,” I responded, furious. She confessed to Carol. Beth listened. She lied to avoid losing you.”
Scoffed, the sound hurtful. “Look, Em, that fortune teller was right before. I know her better than you. My mother would never lie about something so big.”
I kept going despite my heart sinking. Jack, think about it. Why lie? Your daughters are family. Can you just ab.an.d.on them for this?
Finally, he sighed after not answering. Emily, I’m sorry. I cannot.”
The line ended. I glanced at the phone, recognizing he’d decided. He vanished.
In the weeks that followed, I tried to adjust to single motherhood. Managing feedings, diapers, and my grief over Jack’s life was difficult every day.
However, change came slowly. Friends and family brought meals and held the babies while I rested. This further deepened my affection for Sophie, Lily, and Grace. I felt joy from every smile, coo, or small hand on my finger, almost forgetting Jack’s absence.
A knock at my home followed weeks later. I opened it to find Jack’s mother. Though pale, her eyes were full of grief.
“Emily,” she said, shivering. “I didn’t intend for this to happen.”
I crossed my arms, trying to stay calm. He was lied to. You convinced him his kids were a shit.”
As she nodded, tears came. Emily, I was scared. I thought… I figured he’d ignore me with you and the females. I never believed he’d depart.”
Only slightly did my fury soften. “Your fear split my family.”
Her face crumpled as she gazed down. “I know. I apologize deeply.”
I watched her briefly, but my thoughts was on my girls sleeping in the next room. “I have nothing else to say.”
She departed, and I closed the door, feeling strangely relieved and sad.
Jack appeared at my door a year later, looking like a ghost of the guy I loved. He begged to return, be with us, and be a family again after realizing his mistake.
Now I knew better. Looking him in the eyes, I shook my head. Jack, I have a family. You were absent when we needed you. I don’t need you.”
A weight lifted when I closed the door. I didn’t wreck his life, nor did our girls. He did it alone.
