Tears of the Moon - Di Morrissey [167]
Olivia patted her head and silently left the room, her heart full, knowing Maria was thinking of the baby’s father and how he would never share this joy.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Over the next two years Maria became firmly entrenched at Shaw House. Olivia had taught her rudimentary bookkeeping and some secretarial skills. Although they’d found her a valuable worker, they knew at some stage she would have to find other work and make a fuller life for herself and her daughter. The impish and mischievous two-year-old ruled the roost at Shaw House and was considered part of the family, bringing great delight to Gilbert and Olivia.
To Maria, the Shaws had become her family as much as her friends. She hadn’t been to visit her own family though she sent a note saying she had a baby girl and had chosen to keep her. Her mother had replied with a terse and bitter letter telling her she should have given up the child and then there might have been some chance of her returning to them.
When Maria mentioned her daughter’s second birthday was looming, Olivia asked if she would like a little party. It would provide the staff at Shaw House and other children and their mothers with a happy diversion.
‘Oh, Olivia, it would be wonderful,’ responded Maria with delight. ‘She’s old enough to get some fun out of a birthday party, but it never entered my head to have one. Gosh, we haven’t much time to make preparations.’
‘Time enough, I’m sure. Tomorrow is Sunday so we’ll pick you up after church and take you around to our house for lunch and we can sort it all out. The birthday is next Saturday, and will fit in with the routine quite well.’
Maria rushed to Olivia and impulsively gave her a hug. ‘You’re a really special person, Olivia. Thanks. We can spend the week making decorations. It’ll give everyone something to do. The kids will love it.’
Gilbert and Olivia detoured on their way home from church to wait at the Catholic Church until Maria and her little girl came out. They drove home and while Gilbert read the Bulletin on the verandah, the two women took tea and biscuits in the garden in the shade of a tree.
It didn’t take long to make a list of party items that had to be bought and a menu of cakes, sandwiches, biscuits, jelly, lollies and cordial prepared. It was done with a lot of laughter as both of them recalled funny events they had experienced at parties while growing up.
It was while the two were cleaning up to go inside that Olivia, without giving it too much thought, remarked sympathetically, ‘Of course, it must be sad not being with your family for her birthday.’
When Maria didn’t reply Olivia looked up to see Maria trying hard not to cry. ‘I’m sorry,’ Olivia said softly.
‘No, it’s all right. Truly. It’s just that I’m not sure who is family.’
‘Whatever do you mean?’ asked Olivia, sitting down again and motioning Maria to join her.
Maria took a deep breath, ‘Well, you see, I’m not white. I’m part Aboriginal.’ Olivia gasped and Maria went on. ‘Oh yes, I was adopted by a white family living in Albany, but somewhere I know I have another family. I have memories … ’ and her voice trailed away as she tried yet again, as she had for so many years, to make sense of the fragments of images of that other distant life.
Olivia leaned across and took her hands, trying to give emotional support at what she recognised was a cathartic moment in the young woman’s life. ‘You’ve not talked about your background to anyone?’
‘No. Mum and Dad never mentioned it. Not once. The nuns at school never talked about it. It was as if it never existed. I was happy enough to accept it eventually. Seeing how Aboriginal kids were treated made me afraid to mention it, I suppose. I don’t know. It’s all so confusing. I tried to block things out but those memories just wouldn’t go