I asked. You say she’s been on the breast? So you’re not sure if she will take the bottle?

Yes madam, we will have to try and see.

Right, well. Let’s try and see…

Mother Mary followed me into the kitchen where Sumi had just hung up. She cleared her throat and said, I need to wait till my husband gets back, which is in two days, can you wait?

Mary nodded furiously. Of course, of course, this is a husband and wife decision, I understand. Serious decision. She looked at the baby and clucked softly.

After filling the bottle with a mixture of milk powder, hot and lukewarm water, I shook the bottle and tested the hole in the teat—it was very small—so I widened it with a knife. Sumi was observing me closely. I put the bottle to the baby’s mouth and thrust it in gently. She wouldn’t take it and she started crying. Ah, a baby’s cry. It had been so long.

Sumi… here. You take the baby, and give her the bottle.

As if by instinct, Sumi embraced the baby the only way a mother knew how, pressed the baby’s cheek into her own, whispered something into her ear, kissed her neck gently and then finally, eased the teat into the baby’s mouth. She started sucking loudly.

Sumi looked up and smiled. Look, she’s drinking, she’s drinking!

Mother Mary beamed and clapped her hands. Mrs Fairman…such a natural. Wonderful!

Sumi looked at us, a warm glow suffused her face.
A wave of confusion came over me, a perplexing suffusion of anger and remorse.

I blurted out. So you have other babies too? Big ones? Small ones?

Mother Mary chuckled and replied, Please lah, madam, this is not a baby factory, it takes time you know. Sometimes I don’t have a baby for months, sometimes a few in one week. Depends.

Depends, on what? What if I wanted a baby of a certain age, race… a certain look? Could you find me one?

Not so easy, madam. Not so easy. But I can ask around…if you like, might take some time.

Sumi looked startled and glared at me as if to say not now Del, not now.

No, it’s fine. But, if I change my mind, could I give you a call?

Sure!

With a big smile she rummaged in her big bag, fished out a name card and shoved it into my hand. It had an image of a stork carrying a baby in a bundle. “Bundles of Joy. Child Adoption Agency. Mary Margaret. 016 3339900.” I shoved the card in my pants pocket.

Okay, ladies, I have to go. Mrs Fairman, good luck with the baby, I will call you in two days, okay? Look forward to hearing from you. I have another appointment now. She tucked her handbag tightly into her armpit, jiggled her car keys, took one final look at the baby sucking at the bottle.

So sweet, look she is happy! Okay then. Byeee…