Thunder boomed as random sparks of lightning flitted across the midnight sky. Rain pelted Mary’s windshield in heavy sheets. Tears blurred her vision as she drove down the winding, wooded road near a local farm. She was late and her phone reception had died. This was not the time or place to get lost. As Mary pulled into the meeting spot, a few feet away from another car, the other vehicle’s headlights flashed, and a woman exited it carrying an enormous umbrella. Mary rolled down her window and dabbed the corners of her eye with a tissue. The tears surprised her because she was normally so strong-willed.
“I was scared you weren’t gonna make it,” the woman said as rain gushed off her umbrella like a waterfall.
“Yeah, I almost turned around several times.”
The woman peeked into the back window. “Don’t you worry. We’ll take good care of her. I have a very close friend who is a social worker in the Department of Family Services. We’ll keep you updated.”
Mary sighed. “I know. I just wish it didn’t have to be this way.” She stepped out of her vehicle and walked to the back door as the woman held the umbrella over her. She lifted her newborn’s car seat out and followed the woman to her car. After fastening the baby into the back seat, Mary leaned down and gently kissed her forehead. “I love you.” More tears flowed from the corners of Mary’s eyes. She tucked a small note into the car seat with pertinent information, such as the baby’s date of birth and first name. The note also contained a few sentences stating that she couldn’t keep the baby, but hoped Jean would be placed with a loving family.
The woman escorted Mary back to her car. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” she said before sprinting back to her vehicle.
Mary watched as the woman started the engine and disappeared into the distance. She had never felt so heartbroken, giving away the baby she loved so much after spending less than twenty-four hours with her.
Mary headed back home, her heart heavy with sorrow. She couldn’t stop thinking about the little bundle of joy she had just given away. The baby’s tiny fingers and toes, the button nose, the perfect soft coos that melted her heart. But as much as it hurt, Mary knew she had made the right decision. Her daughter’s life depended on it.
***
When Mary arrived home, there were two unfamiliar, large black Hummers parked in front of her house. As she pulled closer, two men wearing black raincoats walked toward her front door. She broke into a sweat as her heartbeat thrummed in her ears, so she backed up and sped away.
Glancing in the rearview mirror every few minutes, she drove for hours while her thoughts were a jumbled mess. Why were those men at my house? Are they coming to take my baby or am I just being paranoid? What if Caroline was wrong? Was she a delusional nutcase with a vendetta against Gravin?
As she drove down the empty street toward the highway, Mary’s mind wandered back to the baby she had just given away. Is she safe? Will I ever see her again? Will they make sure she’s placed with a loving foster family? Will she be angry at me for giving her up? And what about abandonment issues? Will she suffer from mental health issues? I guess I’ll have no choice but to accept her decision if she never wants to meet…
A shrill tone pierced the silence, and Mary glanced at her cellphone. Her heart raced when the words “Private Number” flashed on the screen. With her hands trembling, she pressed the talk button on the center console to answer. “Hello?”
“Is this Mary Calloway?” a man asked.
Mary’s chest tightened. Who was this? How did he get her number? I should hang up. No, what if it’s Caroline’s associate? I can always hang up if it’s nothing. “Yes, who is this?” she managed, hoping her fear wasn’t obvious.
“This is Dr. Gravin, from Genesis Fertility. You missed your appointment today.”
Mary’s knuckles whitened as she gripped the steering wheel tighter. Swallowing hard, she racked her brain for a plausible excuse.
“Is everything okay?” Dr. Gravin pressed when Mary failed to respond. “We can reschedule you for tomorrow. Does that work for you?”
Mary blinked, hot tears escaping down her cheeks. She had no
choice but to lie. “I’m sorry, Doctor. I can’t talk now.” She paused, taking a shaky breath. “I lost the baby.”
Dr. Gravin was silent for a moment. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” he said, skepticism creeping into his voice. “When … when did it happen?”
“Last night.” Mary hastily grabbed a tissue out of her purse. “My midwife handled everything. I can’t talk now. Bye.” She ended the call with trembling fingers and flung the phone out the window. Gripping the wheel, Mary drove aimlessly down I-90, before exiting the highway. Dr. Gravin’s suspicious words echoed through her mind. She was sure he didn’t believe her.
Mary headed down a dark, deserted road. It had been hours since she recognized her surroundings. Her knuckles ached from the intense grip on the steering wheel. Her breath came in gasps as the suspicion in Dr. Gravin’s words echoed in her mind. He knew. Somehow, he knew she had lied about losing the baby.
Panic constricted Mary’s chest. What do they want with my daughter? To sell her to the highest bidder? For experiments? Or something far more sinister? She blinked away fresh tears, trying to clear the blurriness from her vision. Up ahead, the highway loomed, offering a route distancing her from the terror at home.
Mary knew she had to disappear completely, to protect herself and the perfect, innocent life she had just brought into this world. As she veered onto the highway ramp, she whispered a prayer for her daughter’s safety. She had no clue where she would end up. But she knew she would do whatever it took to make sure her baby had a chance at a better future. Gripping the wheel tighter, she drove onward into the dark unknown.
As the sunset’s crimson and yellow fingers hugged the horizon, Jean’s father clasped her hand and gently squeezed it, the familiar callouses and warmth steadying her trembling fingers. She blinked back tears stinging her eyes as he handed her a battered silver suitcase—the final severing of her childhood moorings.
“Do you need help with anything before we leave?” Mr. Anderson asked flatly, his face betraying his emotion.
Jean flashed a slight wisp of a smile. “No, I’m all set.”
Mrs. Anderson’s eyes filled with tears as she wrapped her arms around Jean in a crushing embrace. “I can’t believe how time flew. If you ever need anything, just call. Remember, you can always switch to the community college. It’s so much closer.” She pulled back, hands lingering on Jean’s shoulders.
“Mom, don’t worry. Everything will be alright. I’ll visit so much you’ll get sick of me,” Jean said in a reassuring tone.
Mrs. Anderson tenderly kissed Jean’s forehead, the touch sending a comforting shiver down her spine. “Yeah, well, I worry so much,” her mother replied, her voice filled with both pride and concern. “You’ll always be my little girl. Promise me you’ll take your vitamins every day, study hard, and eat right.”
Jean’s heart swelled with love as she locked eyes with her mother’s. “I promise.”
“Okay, we’ll see you on Thanksgiving, but let me know if you want to come for a visit sooner.”
Nervous energy filled Jean’s entire body as she lugged her last suitcase down the hallway and into her dorm room. She sighed heavily as she opened the door to the small, bland space featuring three loft beds and matching desks lined up against different walls. A pang of uncertainty pierced Jean’s stomach as she surveyed the room and thought about her first day of high school four years ago.
As she entered Mountain Ridge High to begin her freshman year, optimism filled Jean’s heart. New school, new teachers, and hundreds of other students to meet awaited her. She grinned as she glanced at her class schedule. English, Ms. Green, room 103. Dodging crowds of students walking in every direction, Jean scurried down the hallway and entered Ms. Green’s room. Great, I don’t see any of the bullies. She sat at a desk next to a petite, brunette girl who greeted her with a warm, inviting smile. Before long, more students began filing into the room.
“Oh look, it’s Ms. Freak,” Petra shrieked as she entered the classroom.
Jean blinked her eyes and returned her thoughts to the present. Her eyes surveyed the dorm room. It’s time to stop dwelling on the past and start living life in the present. I doubt I’ll ever see those bullies again. Jean let go of her suitcase’s handle as she took a deep inhale of the dust-filled air and her mouth curled into a grin. ...
Please log in to recommend or discuss...
