With tears running down her face, Anne Sargent sat on the floor of her kitchen. Twenty-two months before, her husband Derek suddenly left, leaving her pregnant and with three young children to care for.
Derek’s leaving was a terrible blow, especially for Anne, who thought her marriage was going well. It hurt a lot that he left because she only cared about the kids and he was just a paycheck.
Anne had to get a part-time job at a food store because she had no other options. But the cost of child care limited her hours, and Derek’s reluctant child support didn’t help much either. Anne sold things she loved, like old china and a silver brush-and-mirror set from her childhood, to make ends meet.
She sold her beloved family treasure, a stroller from the 1960s, at a flea market for $50 one day. Two days later, though, the stroller suddenly showed up on her porch with a letter inside.
The note inside said, “Please call me,” and it had a phone number. Grace Robbs, the caller, said she was Derek’s ex-girlfriend and was pregnant and living alone. Grace bought the stroller for her own baby, but she gave it back after Derek’s angry response.
Even though Anne was in pain, she soothed Grace. Anne came up with an unusual answer when she saw that they were both having problems: “Move in with us.” You need help, and I need help with the kids.”
Grace agreed, and the two women worked together in a way that didn’t seem likely. Anne got a full-time job, and Grace took care of the kids. They raised their children together, making their home full of love and support for each other.
When Derek finally came back and tried to get Anne to feel sorry for him, Anne said, “Sorry, not interested.” That was the last time she saw him. She was proud of her renewed strength and happiness.
