CHAPTER 2 — A MOTHER STANDS ALONE

Clara woke up the next morning with heavy eyes. Her heart still hurt from the night before. She looked at the empty space beside her and felt a sharp pain again. Mark had walked out forever. She touched the bed slowly and whispered, “It is just me now.” Her voice shook. She looked at Liam sleeping beside her. His little hand rested on her arm. His breath was soft. He looked peaceful. Clara wiped a tear and whispered, “I will not break. I promise you.” She held his hand gently. She felt a small strength grow inside her again. She knew she had to stand. She had to move for her child.

Clara dressed quickly. Her hands were still shaking. She had a job interview at a small salon. She held Liam’s cheeks and said softly, “Mommy will find work today.” Liam nodded. He said in his small voice, “Mommy, you can do everything.” Those words felt like a warm blanket on her heart. She kissed him and said, “You are my brave boy.” Liam smiled and said, “And you are my brave mommy.” Clara felt her eyes fill again, but she blinked fast and held herself together.

She walked to the salon. Her steps were slow. Her legs felt weak. She kept thinking, “What if they say no?” Her mind was scared. But she pushed herself forward. She met the owner, Mrs. Dalton. She spoke gently. She asked Clara, “Do you have experience?” Clara said softly, “No. But I can learn. I work hard. I do not give up.” Mrs. Dalton looked at her face for a moment. She saw the sadness. She saw the fear. She saw the strength. She said, “You can start today.” Clara felt tears form, but she held them back. She said, “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

The work was hard. Harder than she imagined. She washed hair for hours. She wiped floors again and again. She cleaned chairs. She folded towels. Her hands started to hurt. Her back felt heavy. Some customers looked down on her. One woman said, “You look tired.” Clara forced a smile and said, “I am okay.” But she was not okay. She felt pain everywhere. But she kept going. She said in her mind, “I have to do this. I have no choice.” She did not stop even when her legs shook.

At lunchtime she sat alone. She had one small sandwich. She looked at it and thought, “Liam will like this more.” She wrapped half of it and kept it in her bag. She said to herself, “I will eat later.” But later never came. She worked the whole day without food. But she smiled when she thought of Liam.

When she came home, Liam ran to her. He hugged her legs tight. He said, “Mommy, I waited for you.” She knelt down and held him close. She kissed his cheek. She whispered, “I missed you too.” Liam opened his bag of drawings. He showed her a new one. It was a picture of a small house. There were two stick figures holding hands. He said proudly, “It is you and me.” Clara’s eyes filled instantly. She held the drawing like it was the most precious thing in the world. She whispered, “I love it.” Liam smiled wide and said, “One day I will make this real.” Clara hugged him again and said, “I know you will.”

Days passed. Clara worked hard every day. Some days were harder than others. Some days she felt so tired she could not stand. Some nights she cried quietly when Liam slept. She whispered into the dark, “I hope I am doing enough.” But every morning she began again. She brushed her hair. She held Liam’s hand. She walked to work. She said to herself, “I will not give up.”

One day at the salon, Clara dropped a bottle by mistake. It broke. A customer yelled, “Are you blind?” Clara felt her chest tighten. She bent down fast and picked up the pieces. She whispered, “I am sorry.” Her hands shook. A small cut on her finger bled. But she stayed quiet. She finished her work and went to the restroom. She cleaned the cut. She looked at herself in the mirror. She whispered, “You can cry later. Not now.” Then she washed her face and went back with a small smile.

That evening, Clara reached home very tired. Her legs felt like stone. But when she opened the door, Liam stood with his small arms open. He said, “Mommy, I made something.” He gave her a small paper heart. It said “I love you Mommy.” Clara’s heart melted. She hugged him tightly. She whispered, “You give me strength.” Liam held her face with his little hands and said, “Because you are my hero.” Clara felt something deep inside her heal slowly.

Clara put Liam to bed. She sat beside him. She stroked his hair gently. She whispered, “I will protect you. I will work hard. I will take care of you.” Liam held her finger and said softly, “I know.” Clara’s heart softened. She kissed his forehead. She felt tired, but also hopeful. She looked at the dark ceiling and whispered, “I will stand alone if I have to. I will do everything for him.” And she meant every word.