Naked Truth - Chapter 11 The Godmother's Choice
Choosing wisely
Late October, a dreary day—one of those autumn afternoons Martha usually dislikes—was transformed by a walk in the forest with a friend. It was one of those rare moments where the season fades into the background, and the conversation sparks a mental stretch, making her feel more alive. The discussion reminded Martha of many such moments spent with her Romanian friends years ago, moments she could count on one hand since moving to her new country. The conversation meandered to religion and the baptized customs of Communist Romania.
In those days, the people of the Communist state were rarely seen in churches, at least not openly. However, the relationship between the church and the state was well-documented. Many priests and monks were informers for the Securitate, the secret police, as they occupied such a unique position of influence. Confession, a cornerstone of the Christian Orthodox tradition, gave priests access to private, often compromising information—information that was too tempting to pass up for those who worked in the shadows of the regime.
Of course, Martha doesn’t remember that moment—the ceremony took place when she was only about six months old. In Romania, it’s customary to have a godmother/godfather, and selecting one is a serious decision that’s made after careful consideration.
This is a time for families who are close to strengthen their bond, a moment to choose a godmother who can support the child in the future, influence their life, and be an active presence. There are traditions surrounding the godmother every year—times when the child or young adult expresses gratitude for her role in their life.
Countless times in school, Martha would hear her classmates talk about their godmothers—where they went together, the gifts they received, the trips they took, and the ongoing presence these women had in their lives. Martha’s reality, however, had nothing to do with this.
Years later, Martha learned the stories behind the decision-making process. The family had a close family friend, a man with two daughters and a Russian wife, who was the director of a furniture factory. He had been very close to her parents, and they had shared many happy memories together for 10 years or more, before Martha was born—visits to extended family members, a long-standing relationship. He was eager to be Martha's godfather.
There was also a lovely lady, Tanti Carmen, who worked with the Ferret at the same company and was very eager to be Martha’s godmother. Although Tanti Carmen couldn’t have children of her own, she adored little ones. Martha met her several times throughout her life and always felt her warmth and kindness. Sadly, the Ferret never allowed any close relationship to develop.
In the end, the Ferret made what she thought was the best decision at the time. She chose her boss’s daughter to be the godmother. Her boss was only two years away from retirement, but the Ferret was determined that her daughter, Liuba, should take on the role. Liuba was 19 and shared the Ferret’s name. Martha asked many times why this decision was made, especially since Liuba had never built a relationship with her and had never been a presence in her life. The Ferret eventually admitted that, in truth, Liuba didn’t like children. The only reason she chose her as the godmother was to make her own life easier in the office.
Martha met Liuba at the age of 18, a shimmering milestone in Romanian tradition, symbolizing a step into the adult world. She decided to mark it by venturing to a beauty salon, eager to shape her brows and give herself a small gift of self-celebration. The Ferret suggested Liuba’s salon, conveniently close to Martha’s school, and so she booked her appointment, carrying a bundle of hope and curiosity as she walked in.
But the encounter felt like stepping into a strange dream. There was no warmth in Liuba’s greeting, no soft glimmer of connection or apology for the absence from her life. Instead, Martha discovered that Liuba had a child of her own—a bitter irony for someone who’d supposedly had no love for children. And to add an extra edge to the moment, Liuba charged Martha for the service without a second thought.
That encounter became a defining memory, a hollow echo of godparenthood. It was both the first and the last time Martha crossed paths with the woman meant to hold a special place in her life.
For reasons unknown, the Ferret told Martha on a few occasions that she had been present in the church during a baptism, even though, according to her this was believed to bring bad luck. Years later, Martha looked into this claim but couldn’t find any reference to such an interpretation.
End of chapter 10
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