Secrets Within- Chapter 1

SECRETS WITHIN
CHAPTER ONE
HI AGAIN!!! I’VE GOT MORE TO TELL YA. WELL, TO START OFF, THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO MY LIFE. HUMAN AND THE OTHER, WELL, I’M NOT REALLY SURE TO BE HONEST. I DON’T KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHERS LIKE ME, BUT I’M SURE THERE ARE NONE. I COULD ONLY WISH THERE WAS. THAT’S WHY I’M SO DIFFERENT. I’M SORRY IF THIS DOESN’T REALLY EXPLAIN WHY, BUT, I PROMISE YOU’LL KNOW LATER. WELL, TO START OFF MY LIFE, I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHO MY OWN MOTHER IS, WHERE I WAS BORN, OR EVEN MY FATHER. NOT EVEN MY OWN BIRTHDAY! I WAS FOUND IN THE BACK OF A THRIFT STORE, NEXT TO A DUMPSTER BY SOME LADY WHO’S NAME AND FACE I CAN’T EVEN REMEMBER.
IT WAS A FOGGY MORINING, OR SO I WAS TOLD. AND THE WIND WAS BLOWING. NOW I WAS IN SOME TOWN THAT I CAN’T REMEMBER THE NAME OF. IT WAS A PRETTY POOR COMMUNITY. I CAN TELL YOU THAT MUCH. IT WAS ALSO SMALL. THERE WERE ONLY FIVE STORES AND FIVE HOUSES. THE HOUSES LOOK MORE LIKE RAGGEDY, BROKEN DOWN SHACKS. BUT ANYWAY., THE STORE I WAS DISCOVERED AT WAS AN OLD BRICK BUILDING WITH PATCHED UP WINDOWS. THERE WERE TWO DOORS TO IT. A FRONT AND A BACK. OUTSIDE THE BACK DOOR WAS AN ALLEY WITH A DUMPSTER AND TWO GARBAGE CANS. THE ALLEY WAS SO DIRTY THAT THERE WERE RATS SOMETIMES SURROUNDING THE GROUND. THIS WAS BECAUSE, TRASH COVERED THE GROUND ON DAYS THE TRASH MAN DIDN’T COME. THE PEOPLE IN THE TOWN WERE SO BROKE, THEY COULDN’T AFFORD HIM OFTEN. BUT LUCKILY ON THIS DAY THE DAY I WAS FOUND, IT WAS CLEAN. THERE WERE NO RATS, TRASH OR GARBAGE IN SITE.ONLY THE DUMPSTER, THE TWO TRASH CANS, ME, AND A COUPLE OF CATS.
“WAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!” WHAT THE HELL IS THAT NOISE? I THOUGHT AS I BARGED THROUGH THE DOOR OF MY HOME/ THRIFT STORE. I LOOK AROUND UNTIL MY EYES FALL UPON A TINY BABY WRAPPED IN AN OLD TATTERED BLANKET COVERED IN DIRT AND STAINS OF RED. “WHAT THE HELL IS THIS” I SAID TO MYSELF.
“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH” SCREAMS THE BABBY AT THE TOP OF IT’S LUNGS.
“HOLD ON! I’M COMING.” I RUSH OVER AND GENLY LIFT IT UP INTO MY ARMS.”NOW. AREN’T YOU JUST THE PRETTIEST BABY I EVER LAID EYES ON. LET’S GET YOU CLEANED UP.” I WALK BACK INTO MY HOME/ THRIFT STORE WHILE STILL HOLDING THE BABY IN MY ARMS. I CARRY IT OVER TO THE SINK AND FILL IT WITH WARM SOAPY WATER. “LET’S WASH YOU OFF AND GET YOU INTO SOMETHING CLEAN.” I GENTLY SET IT INTO THE WATER AND HOLD IT UP INTO A SIITING POSITION WITH MY OTHER HAND. “SUSIE!”I YELL. SUSIE RUNS INTO THE KITCHEN THROUGH THE SIDE DOOR
“YES MAMMA?” SHE ANSWERS TO MY CALL.
“GO GET SOME DIAPERS, WIPES, AND SOME BABY CLOTHES, BABY FORMULA, AND A BINKY FROM THE STORE. AND DON’T FORGET A BOTTLE A BIB, AND A BABY BAG.”
“WHAT DO YOU NEED ALL THAT FOR?” SHE ASKS. NOT REALIZING THE BABY HER MOTHER’S BATHING. “YOUR NOT PREGNANT ARE YOU?”
“HOW WOULD I BE PREGNANT IF I’M NOT MARRIED. I DAMNED SURE DON’T HAVE AFIANCE, OR A BOYFRIEND. GIRL, DON’T YOU SEE THIS BABY SITT’N HERE?”
SUSIE LOOKS OVER AT THE BABY AND JUMPS. “WHAT THE…? I DIDN’T EVEN NOTICE IT SITT’N THERE UNTILL YOU SAID SOMETHING. IT’S SO CUTE. WHOSE BABY YOU GOT MA’?”
“THIS BABY WAS ABANDENNED. IT’S NOBODY’S NOW.”
“WELL, IS IT A BOY OR GIRL?”
“I DON’T KNOW. I HAVEN’T THOUGHT TO LOOK YET.” I FINISH WASHING IT AND DRAIN THE WATER. “SUSIE DEAR. GO GET ME A TOWEL PLEASE.”
“YES MAM” SUSIE GOES OUT THE SIDE DOOR AND RETURNS A FEW MINUTES LATER WITH A FRESH TOWEL IN HER HAND. SHE HANDS IT TO HER MOTHER.”HERE.”
“THANKYOU” I TAKE THE TOWEL AND GENTLY WIPE IT’S FACE AND BODY UNTIL IT’S DRY. I THEN CHECK IT’S GENDER, AND IT TURNS OUT THAT IT’S A SHE.
“WELL, SHE’S A GIRL.”
“ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP HER?”
“NO. I’M GONNA MAKE A PHONE CALL AND YOUR GOING TO GET THE STUFF I ASKED YOU TO GET. SHE CAN’T LEAVE WITH NO CLOTHES OR ANYTHING. SHE’S PROBABLY HUNGRY TO.”
“OKAY THEN. I’LL BE BACK IN A FEW. BYE MAMMA.”
“BYE SUSIE”
SUSIE THEN LEAVES AND HEADS OUT TO THE STORE WHILE I STAY BEHIND WITH THE BABY GIRL.” WELL AREN’T YOU PRECIOUS?” I ASK HER AND SMILE. SHE DECIDES TO SMILE BACK A TOOTHLESS GRIN. “AGOO” SHE SAYS. “YOU’LL BE IN BETTER HANDS THAN YOU WERE WITH YOUR MAMMA. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT.” I SAY TO HERE. LETTING HER KNOW IT’S GOING TO BE OK FROM NOW ON. I THEN WALK OVER TO THE PHONE WHILE HOLDING HER WITH MY OTHER ARM. I DIAL THE NUMBER FOR THE SHERIFF. IT RINGS TWICE BEFORE SOMEONE PICKS UP. “SHERIFF’S OFFICE.” SOMEONE SAYS ON THE OTHER LINE. “HELLO. THIS IS SHERIE FIELDS. I WAS CALLING TO REPORT AN ABANDONED BABY THAT WAS FOUND BEHIND MY STORE.”
“WE’LL SEND SOMEONE OVER RIGHT AWAY. THANKYOU FOR CALLING.”
“OKAY THANKYOU.” I HANG UP THE PHONE AND WAIT FOR SUSIE TO ARRIVE WITH THE BABY STUFF. A FEW MINUTES LATER SHE COMES THROUGH THE DOOR.
“MAMMA? I GOT THE STUFF.”
“THANKS BABY. BRING IT HERE.”
SUSIE WALKS IN WITH TWO PLASTIC DOLLAR GENERAL BAGS AND SETS THEM ON THE COUCH. I WALK OUT THE KITCHEN AND INTO THE LIVING ROOM. “HERE. HOLD HER A MINUTE.” I TELL HER. SHE TAKES THE BEBY FROM ME AND I TAKE OUT WHAT’S IN THE BAGS. I CHECK TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS HERE. I TAKE OUT A PACKAGE OF BABY FORMULA, BOTTLE, PACIFIERS, A BIB, A ONE PIECE WITH FOOTIES, A PACK OF WIPES. EVERYTHING I HAD ASKED FOR.
“SUSIE. SET HER DOWN ON THE TOWEL. YES, LIKE THAT”I OPEN THE BAG OF DIAPERS AND PUT ONE ON HER. I THEN TRY TO PUT ON THE ONE PIECE SUIT. I TRY TO GET IT OVER HER TOES FIRST BUT SHE KICKS AND THEN GIGGLES. IT TAKES ME ABOUT TEN MINUTES BEFORE I ACTUALLY GET IT ON.I THEN HAND HER OVER TO SUSIE. I WALK INTO THE KITCHEN WITH A BOTTLE AND FORMULA.I OPEN THE CAN AND SCOOP A FEW SCOOPS INTO THE BOTTLE. THEN I ADD WATER AND WARM IT IN THE MICROWAVE FOR A FEW MINUTES. WHEN IT’S WARM I TAKE IT BACK INTO THE LIVINGROOM WITH ME AND PICK UP THEBABY WITH MY FREE HAND. I SIT IN THE RECLINER ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE ROOM AND BEGIN TO ROCK. I THEN STICK THE TIP OF THE BOTTLE INTO HER MOUTH AND SHE SLOWLY BEGINS TO SUCK. ABOUT FIFTEEN MORE MINUTES AFTER, WE HERE A KNOCK AT THE DOOR. “HOLD ON!” I CALL. “SUSIE, COULD YOU GET THE DOOR?” I ASK. “SURE MA.” SHE ANSWERS QUICKLY. SHE WALKS THROUGH THE KITCHEN TO THE FRONT DOOR AND OPENS IT. I THEN HERE A DEEP VOICE SPEAK. WHOM I TAKE TO BE THE SHERIFF.
“HELLO. HOW Y’ALL DOIN’ TODAY? I HEARD Y’ALL HAVE A BABY THAT NEEDS TO BE PICKED UP? IS THAT RIGHT?” GREETED THE SHERIFF.
“YES SIR. FOLLOW ME.” SAID SUSIE. SHE LED THE SHERIFF WHO QUIETLY CLOSED THE DOOR BEHIND HIM, INTO THE LIVING ROOM.
“GOOD EVENING MAM.”
“GOOD EVENING SHERIFF.” I SAID.
“IS THIS THE LIL’ TIKE YA BEEN CALL’N ‘BOUT?”
“WHY, YES SIR. IT SURE IS.SHE’S BEEN DOING PRETTY GOOD THESE PAST COUPLE OF HOURS. I’VE GOTTEN PRETTY CLOSE TO HER. THOUGH IT’S ONLY BEEN A DAY. THOUGH FEELS LIKE I’VE KNOWN HER LONGER.”
“I KNOW IT’S HARD TO PART, BUT YA GOTTA LEARN TO. SHE’LL BE OKAY. I CAN ASSURE YA THAT MAM.”
“I WOULD SURE HOPE SO. I CAN ONLY WISH THE BEST FOR HER.” AS SUSIE LISTENED TO THE SHERIFF AND HER MOTHER TALK. SHE FELT BAD. NOT ONLY FOR THE BABY, BUT ALSO FOR HER MOTHER. SHE KNEW HER MOM ALWAYS WANTED ANOTHER CHILD. BUT AFTER SHE HAD SUSIE, SHECOULDN’T HAVE ANYMORE.SHE HAD GOTTEN AIDS FROM HER HUSBAND WHO NEVER TOLD HER ANYTHING ABOUT IT WHEN THEY WERE MARRIED.SHE ENDED UP GETTING PREGNANT AND GETTING AIDS. BUT LUCKILY SUSIE WASN’T BORN WITH IT. NOW AS SHE WATCHED HER MOTHER, SHE WANTED TO CRY. BUT INSTEAD SHE HELD BACK THE TEARS THAT WERE BUILDING UP BEHIND HER EYES BY BITING DOWN HARD ON HER BOTTOM LIP.
“WELL, I’M SORRY MAM. I’M KINDA’ IN A HURRY SO COULD YOU SAY YOUR LAST GOODBYE’S. I REALLY NEED TO GO.”
“OKAY THEN.” I SIGHED. I PULLED THE BOTTLE FROM THE BABY’S MOUTH. SHE DIDN’T MIND. I GUESS SHE WAS FULL ANYWAY. PLUS THE BOTTLE WAS EMPTY. BOY DID SHE DRINK FAST. I THEN LEANED OVER AND PLANTED A SOFT KISS ON HER FORHEAD.”GOODBYE MY SWEET ANGEL.” I SAID WHILE TRYING TO HOLD BACK TEARS.I THEN STOOD UP AND HANDED HER OVER TO THE SHERIFF. I THEN LOADED UP HER DIAPER BAG AND HANDED IT TO THE SHERIFF ALSO. “WELL, HERE YOU GO.” I SAID SADLY.
“DON’T WORRY MAM. WE’LL MAKE SURE SHE GOES TO A GOOD HOME.”
“PLEASE DO. I COULDN’T STAND THE THOUGHT OF HER GOING TO ABUSIVE PARENTS.” I SAID. “WELL I GUESS YOU BETTER GET GOING.”
“THANKS MAM” AND WITH THAT WITH THE BABY IN ONE HAND AND THE DIAPER BAG IN THE OTHER , HE LEFT THOUGH THE DOOR. I DIDN’T WALK HIM TO HIS CAR EVEN THOUGH I KNOW I SHOULD HAVE. BUT I COULDN’T STAND THE FACT OF FEEING HER LEAVE. SUSIE WALKED OVER TO ME AND SPOKE. “MOM. I LOVE YOU.I HOPE YOUR PAIN COMES TO AN END.I KNOW YOUR GOING TO MISS HER. BUT THINK OF IT IN A BETTER WAY.” AFTER THAT SHE HUGGED ME. “I LOVE YOU TOO BABY.” I CHOKED ON THOSE WORDS AS I STRUGGLED NOT TO CRY. BUT I JUST COULDN’T STOP THE TEARS FROM FLOWING OUT OF, MY EYES. I’M REALLY GOING TO MISS HER.
AS THE SHERIFF DROVE AWAY, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE RINGING IN HIS EAR. “WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.” THE BABY CRIED IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE SHERIFF’S CAR. SHE WAS STRAPPED DOWN IN A BLUE BABY SEAT. “WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.” SHE CRIED AND SCREAMED. THIS TIME LOUDER. THESHERIFF TRIED TO CALM ER DOWN. HE ACTUALLY WANTED TO PULL OVER AND CALM HER DOWN. TO SEE IF SHE WAS HUNGRY BUT HE COULDN’T. LIKE HE SAID BEFORE. HE WAS IN A HURRY. HE JUST COULDN’T STOP NOW. THEY WERE ALMOST HALFWAY THERE. HEADING TO THE STATION SO THAT THEY COULD MAKE A CALL TO HEADQAURTERS TO HAVE SOMEONE COME AND PICK UP THE BABY SO THAT SHE COULD BE PLACED IN A SUITABLE FOSTER HOME. OFCOURSE IT WAS ONLY FOR THE TIME BEING. THE SHERIFF FELT TERRIBLY SORRY FOR HER AS HE SPED ON AT ABOUT 60/MPH. HE KNEW THAT SHE WOULD BE GOING FROM HOME TO HOME UNTIL SHE FINALLY FOUND A PERMANENT FAMILY. AS HE PULLED INTO THE RIGHT LANE THE LIGHT CHANGED TO RED AS HE PULLED UP. DAMN. HE THOUGHT. I REALLY NEED TO HURRY. MY SHIFTS ALMOST OVER AND IF I’M NOT HOME IN TIME. CAROL WILL THINK I’M CHEATING AGAIN. I REALLY DON’’T FEEL LIKE GOING THROUGH THAT AGAIN. AS THE LIGHT CHANGED BACK TO GREEN HE ONCE AGAIN DROVE ON. TURNING RIGHT WHILE FLIPPING ON HIS BLINKER. A FEW MINUTES LATER HE ARRIVED AT THE PEACH BRITTLE POLICE STATION.HE TURNED INTO THE PARKING LOT.HE DROVE AROUND THE CARS UNTIL HE CAME UPON HIS FAVORITE PARKING SPOT RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE STATIONS FRONT DOORS. HE OPENS THE DOOR OF HIS SILVER CADILLAC AND CLOSES IT. HE BENDS OVER AND LOOKS AT THE WORD SHERIFF ON THE LEFT SIDE. YEP THAT’S ME” HE SAYS TO HIMSELF WHILE SMILING AT HIS OWN REFLECTION. HE THEN STANDS STRAIGHT UP AND WALKS OVER TO THE BACK SEAT. HE OPENS THE DOOR AND BEGINS TO UNBUCKLE THE CAR SEAT THAT HOLDS THE SCREAMING BABY GIRL. “WAAAAAAAAAAAA.” SHE CRIES AS HE TRIES TO REMOVE HER FROM THE SEAT. SHE KICKS AND SCREAMS. BUT HE’S NOT GIVING UP THAT EASILY. HE KNOWS HE NEEDS TO HURRY UP AND GET THIS BABY IN THE STATION AND BACK HOME IN LESS THAN AN HOUR . “CALM DOWN. IT’S GONNA BE OKAY.” HE TRIES TO CALM HER DOWN. SINCE TALKING TO HER ISN’T WORKING. HE GRABS THE DIAPER BAG AD UNZIPS IT. HE STICKS IN HIS HAND AND REMOVES IT NOW WITH A PACK OF BINKIES. HE OENS THE PACK AND GENTLY STICKS ONE INTO THE BABY GIRL’S MOUTH.”HERE YA GO.” HE SAYS HOPING NOW THAT SHE’LL CALM DOWN. AND GUESS WHAT. IT WORKS. SHE SLOWLY STARTS TO SUCK ON IT AND THE SCREAMING COMES TO AN END. HE CLOSES THE DOOR AND CARRIES BOTH THE BABY AND THE DIAPER BAG INTO THE STATION. WHILE HEADING UP THE FRONT CONCRETE STAIRS, HE REALIZES HE CAN’T OPEN THE DOOR NOW THAT HIS HANDS ARE FULL. BUT LUCKILY ANOTHER OFFICER APPEARS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR. SHE THEN HOLDS THE DOOR OPEN FORHIM AS HE HEADS IN.
“HELLO SHERIFF. YOU NEED A HAND?” SHE AKS HOPEFULLY.
“WHY YES. THANKYOU MARY.” HE THANKS HER WITH MUCH APPRECIATION.
“ANYTIME SHERIFF. ANYTIME.” AND WITH THAT THE SHERIFF MAKES IT THROUGH THE DOORS AND MARY LEAVES. HE CARRIES THE BABY THROUGH THE MAIN OFFICE. HE WALKED INTO HIS OFFICE AND WHILE STILL HOLDING THE BABY, SAT DOWN ON THE BIG LEATHER CHAIR AT HIS DESK WHICH WAS COVERED IN FILES. HE SET THE DIAPER BAG DOWN ON HIS DESK. HE THEN PICKED UP HIS PHONE OFF THE RECEIVER AND DIALED THE NUMBER FOR HEADQUARTERS. HE RUNG ONCE BEFORE SOMEONE PICKED UP. “HELLO?”
“HELLO THIS IS THE PEACH BRITTLE COUNTY SHERIFF. I WAS CALLIN’ ON BEHALF OF A BABY THAT WAS REPORTED FOUND ON EASTWOOD. COULD YOU SEND SOMEONE TO THE COUNTY STATION TO PICK ER’ UP?”
“WE’LL SEND SOMEONE RIGHT OVER.” SHE SAID RIGHT BEFORE SHE HUNG UP. THE SHERIFF CAREFULLY SET THE PHONE BACK ON THE RECEIVER. “ I GUESS WE’LL HAVE TO SIT TIGHT AND WAIT FOR THEM TO COME AND GET YA.” HE SAID WHILE LOOKING INTO THE BABY’S FACED. AS HE DID HE NOTICED SHE HAD FALLEN ASLEEP IN HIS ARM. ABOUT HALF AN HOUR LATER THERE WAS A KNOCK AT HIS OFFICE DOOR. “COME IN.” HE SAID.
“SHERIFF? IS THIS THE BABY?” ASKED THE WOMAN FROM SOCIAL SERVICES.
“YES. IT SURE IS.” HE RESPONDED.
“SHE LOOKS SO YOUNG. I THOUGHT SHE WOULD ATLEAST BE A YEAR OR TWO. BUT SHE’S LOOKS JUST A FEW MONTHS.”
“I HAVEN’T EVEN THOUGHT OF HOW OLD SHE MOGHT BE, BUT I GUESS IT DOEN’T MATTER AS LONG AS WE FIND HER A GOOD HOME.” HE SAID. HE THEN STOOD UP AND HANDED THE BABY TO THE SOCIAL WORKER ALONG WITH HER DIAPER BAG. HE THEN LEANED OVER ONCE THE SLEEPING BABY WAS IN THE LADY’S ARMS AND WHISPERED IN THE BABY’S EAR. “GOOD LUCK LIL’ GIRL. I KNOW YOU’RE GONNA NEED IT. YOUR IN GOOD HANDS NOW OR WILL BE ANYWAY.” AND WITH THAT THE LADY TURNED TO LEAVE. “GOODBYE SHERIFF.”
“GOOD BYE.” HE SAID AS HE WATCHED HER LEAVE HIS OFFICE. I SURE HOPE SHE’LL BE OKAY. I WISH SHE HAD ALREADY HAD A HOME. BUT I GUESS IT’S FOR THE BEST. AND WITH THAT HE WENT TO SIT DOWN AT HIS DESK AND BEGAN TO WORK ON HIS PAPER WORK SO THAT HE COULD GO BACK TO THE ACCUSING WHY THAT WAS WAITING IMPATIENTLY AT HOME FOR HIM.
THE SOCIAL WORKER WALKED OUT OF THE BUILDING AND HEADED TO HER SMALL BLUE BUG. SHE LOVED HER CAR. IT WAS HER FAVORITE COLOR. BLUE OFCOURSE. SHE WALKED TO THE PASSENGER’S SIDE DOOR AND OPENED IT WHILE HOLDING THE BABY IN HER RIGHT ARM. SHE SET THE DIAPER BAG IN THE FRONT SEAT AND THEN PULLED THE LEVER UNDER THE SEAT TO MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD SO THAT SHE COULD SET THE BABY INTO THE CAR SEAT IN THE BACK. SHE LEANED OVER AND MOVED THE STRAPS OUT OF THE WAY SO SHE COULD SET THE BABY IN THE CAR SEAT. SHE THEN SEAT HER IN. SHE STRAPPED HER IN TIGHT SO THAT SHE WOULDN’T FALL OUT BUT NOT TIGHT ENOUGH TO HURT HER. THEN SHE MOVED THE FRONT SEAT BACK AND CLOSED THE DOOR. SHE THEN WALKED AROUND TO THE FRONT, OPENED THE FRONT DOOR AND SET DOWN ON THE DRIVER’S SIDE SEAT. SHE CLOSED THE DOOR AND BEGAN TO PULL HER KEYS OUT OF HBER JEANS POCKET.SHE LOOKED UNTIL SHE FOUND THE GOLDEN ONE WITH RUGGED EDGES AND STUCK IT INTO THE IGNITION. SHE TURNED THE KEY AND THE CAR CAME TO LIFE. SHE TURNED OFF THE BRAKE AND STARTED TO DRIVE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. SHE TURNS OUTAND HEADS OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY.SHE COMES TO A LIGHT AND IT TURNS RED. SHE SITS FOR ABOUT TWO MINUTES BEFORE IT ACTUALLY TURNS GREEN AGAIN. SHE THEN GOES FORWARD. SHE DRIVES UNTL SHE’S IN MAPLE CITY. SHE KEEPS GOING AROUND IN THE TOWN UNTIL SHE STOPS IN FRONT OF A LARGE BRICK HOUSE WITH A GLASS FRONT DOOR. AFRESH MOWED LAWN AND A MAIL BOX THAT SAYS N.KING 411 TREMMER DR. SHE PARKS HER CAR OUT FRONT. SHE THEN TURNS IT OFF. SHE PULLS OUT THE KEY AND PUTS IT IN HER POCKET.SHE OPENS HER DOOR AND STEPS OUT. SHE THEN WALKS AROUND TO THE PASSENGERS SIDE AND OPENS THE DOOR. SHE PULLS THE LEVER UNDERNEATH THE SEAT AND PUSHES IT FORWARD. SHE THEN LEANS OVER AND UNBUCKLES THE CARSEAT. THE BABY SLEPT THROUGH THE WHOLE RIDE AND DIDN’T EVEN WAKE UP WHEN SHE WAS CARRYING HER OUT OF THE STATION. SHE PICKED HER UP ALONG WITH THE DIAPER BAG AND PUSHED THE SEAT BACK. SHE CLOSED THE DOOR AND HEADS UP TO THE HOUSE. SHE GOES UP THE MARBLE STEPSAND RINGS THE WHITE DOORBELL. SHE SOON HEARS FOOTSTEPS.THE DOOR OPENS. ALADY WITH SHOULDER LENGTH DARK BROWN HAIR, A FAIR FACE, AND MODEL LIKE BODY WHO WAS CLAD IN A PURPLE SUN DRESS WITH MATCHING SANDALS ANSWERS THE DOOR. “HELLO.”
“HELLO, UM, MRS. KING? I’M SO GLAD YOUR HOME. DID YOU GET THE CALL ABOUT THE BABY WE NEED YOU TO TAKE CARE OF?”
“WHY YES I DID. IS THIS IT?”
“YES. WE’RE NOT SURE OF HER AGE BUT WE DO THINK SHE’S AROUND 7 MONTHS. SHE LOOKS LIKE IT ANYWAY.”
“WELL, COME ON IN.”
“THANKYOU. NOW MRS.KING. I NEED YOU TO FILL OUT SOME PAPER WORK.”
“I’D BE GLAD TO BUT FIRST HAVE A SEAT THERE ON THE COUCH WHILE I GO FIX US SOME TEA.”
“ALRIGHT THEN. THANKYOU MRS. KING.” MRS. KING THEN WALKS INTO HER MARBLE BASED KITCHEN. SHE WALKS OVER TO HER WHITE MARBLE CABINET AND GRABS TWO EXPENSIVE GLASSES. SHE THEN HEADS OVER TO THE FRIDGE AND GRABS A CONTAINER OF TEA. SHE HEADS BACK INTO THE LIVING AREA WHERE MAXIE IS WAITING FOR HER ON HER EXPENSIVE WHITE LEATHER COUCH. “WHY DON’T WE GO ONTO THE BACK DECK?” SHE ASKS MAXIE WHOSE STILL TAKING IN THE VIEW OF THE EXPENSIVE LIVING ROOM. SHENOTICES THAT THE LIVING ROOM HAS WHITE TIGER STATUES ALL AROUND THE ROOM. THE CARPET HAS A BIG WHITE TIGER PRINTED IN THE CETER OF IT. IT’S SO BEAUTIFUL. I WISH I LIVED HERE. SHE THINKS. “UM, MAXIE ARE YOU OKAY?” ASKS MRS.KING WHILE STILL WAITING FOR MAXIE TO FOLLOW HER ONTO THE DECK. “ OH YES. I WAS JUST TAKING IN THE VIEW. IT’S A LOVELY PLACE YOU HAVE HERE MRS. KING.”
“WHY THANKYOU. IT IS NICE ISN’T IT? MY HUSBAND PAID A GOOD DEAL FOR IT.”
“HE MUST HAVE. I HAVEN’T SEEN ANYONE WITH HOMES SUCH AS THESE.”
“WELL WE ARE ONE OF THE RICHEST FAMILIES HERE.”
“I COULD AGREE WITH THAT MRS.KING”
“YES. WELL FOLLOW ME NOW. I’M URGENT TO SIGN THOSE PAPERS.”SHE THEN WALKS THROUGH THE KITCHEN TO THE OTHERESIDE OF THE HOUSE. RELUCTANTLY MAXIE FOLLOWS HER.SHE TAKES IN THE VIEW OF THE KITCHEN. IT’S COVERED IN A BEAUTIFULLY DONE WHITE MARBLE. FLOOR AND ALL. THEY PASS THE DINING ROOM WHICH HAS A WHITE CARPET WITH A ROUND GLASS TABLE WITH FOUR CHAIRS THERE ARE PICTURES ON THE WALLS OF TIGERS AND MIRRORS RIMMED WITH GOLD. SHE THEN FOLLOWS HER TO THE GLASS DUOBLED DOORS AT THE BACK OF THE DINNING ROOM AND MRS KING SLIDES IT OPEN. SHE FOLLOWS HER THROUGH THE DOOR WITH THE BABY AND CLOSES IT BEHIND HER. SHE SEES THAT THE DECK IS HAND MADE WITH FOXES CARVED ALONG THE WALLS OF IT. IT’S GOT A WHIT VELVET CURTAIN COVER WITH FOXES ON IT, LUCKILY IT NEVER RAINS HERE. SHE THEN SEES A BIG 12 FOOT DEEP POOL THAT’S 10 BY 5 FOOT, IN HER BACK YARD WITH CLEAR BLUE SPARKLING WATER. OH HOW SHE WANTS TO DIVE IN IT. SHE LOVES TO SWIM.SHE THEN SITS DOWN ON ONE OF THE WHITE CUSIONED CHAIRS ACROSS FROM MRS. KING.”HERE ARE THE PAPERS MRS.KING.” SHE SAYS AS SHE HANDS THEM TO HER. MRS.KING GLADLY TAKES THE PAPERS BUT BEFORE SHE SIGNS THEM SHE LOOKS UP TO AKS MAXIE A QUESTION. “CAN I SEE THE LITTLE GIRL?” SHE ASKS HOPEFULYL.
“YES. OFCOURSE” SAYS MAXIE. SHE GETS UP AND HANDS THE BABY GIRL TO MRS.KING. MRS KING TAKES HER HAPPILY INTO HER ARMS. SLOWLY THE BABY’S EYES BEGIN TO OPEN. “WHAT LOVELY EYES!” SHE SHRIEKS. “SHE’S SO PRETTY. A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BABY GIRL. I CAN’T BELIEVE ANYONE WOULD ABANDON HER LIKE THAT.” SHE SAYS SHOCKINGLY.
“WELL SHE IS PRETTY ISN’T SHE? AND SHE’S SURPRISINGLY HEALTHY.”SHE SAYS THINKING ABOUT HOW IT’S GOING TO BE HARD LETTING HER GO. SHE’S KNOWN HER FOR ONLY A FEW HOURS, BUT SHE ALREADY FEELS SO ATTACHED. SHE BEGAN TO LOVE HER JUST AS THE LADY THAT FOUND HER DID. SHE’S JUST SO INICENT AND HELPLESS.”I HOPE YOU TAKE GOOD CARE OF HER MRS.KING”
“I SURE WILL.”
“OH. BEFORE I FORGET. MRS KING, WHERE IS YUR HUSBAND AT THIS TIME?”
“HE’S IN THE MILITARY. I MENTIONED THAT OVER THE PHONE.”
“AND HOW SOON WILL HE BE BACK DO YOU SUPPOSE.”
“I’M NOT REALLY SURE. THEY HAVE THAT WAR GOING ON IN IRAQUE YOU KNOW. I DO HOPE HE COMES HOME OKAY AND I HOPE IT ENDS SOON.” SHE SAYS SADLY WHILE THINKING ABOUT HER HUSBAND.
“WELL THERE NEEDS TO BE TWO PARENTS PRESENT. THEY DON’T WANT HER GROWING UP WITH ONLY KNOWING A MOTHER. AND IF THEY DO LET HER STAY WITH YOU. IT MIGHT ONLY BE FOT A LITTLE WHILE. THEY MIGHT MOVE HER BEFORE SHE GETS TOO OLD.”
“I CAN’T BELIEVE THEY WOULD DO SUCH A THING. WHAT IF THE PARENT BECOMES ATTACHED TO THE CHILD AND THE CHILD ATTACHED TO THE PARENT?”
“IT WOULDN’T MATTER. THEY WOULD STILL ACT ON IT AND DO WHAT THEY THINK IS BEST. YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT EVEN THOUGH THE CHILD WAS PUT INTO YOUR CARE. SHE CAN BE REMOVED ALSO. SHE IS A WARD OF THE STATE AND THAT GIVES THEM THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT THEY PLEASE.”
“WELL I STILL DON’T THINK THAT’S RIGHT.” SHE STATED AS SHE CONTINUED TO FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK. SHE CONTINUED UNTIL SHE WAS FINISHED.WHEN SHE WAS DONE SHE TWITCHED AT THE ACHE IN HER HAND. IT TOOK HER ABOUT HALF AN HOUR TO COMPLETE ALL THE PAPERS. THEY WERE STAPLED TOGETHER IN A THICK PACKET. HER HAND STARTED TO CRAMP FROM ALL THE SIGNING AND FILLING OUT PAPERS.SHE HANDS THEM BACK TO MAXIE AFTER EXAMINING HER WORK TO MAKE SURE SHE DIDN’T MISS ANYTHING.THE BABY STRETCHES IN HER ARMS TO GET INTO A MORE COMFORTABLE POSITION.MRS.KING THEN LOOKS DOWN AT HER AND SMILES. “WELL AREN’T YOU PRECIOUS.” SHE COMPLIMENTS HER. SHE CAN’T BELIEVE SHE REALLY HAS A FOSTER CHILD. EVEN THOUGH IT’S NOT TRULY HERS, SHE STILL PROMISES HERSELF THAT SHE’LL TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT.SHE DOES LOVE KIDS.THOUGH SHE DOESN’T HAVE ANY OF HER OWN.SHE NEVER COULD ANYWAY. HER UTERUS WAS REMOVED WHEN SHE WAS BORN. IT WOULD CAUSE PROBLEMS IF NOT REMOVED AT ONCE. SHE HAD A VAGINAL CANCER THAT WAS RARE BUT SHE DOESN’T HAVE IT ANYMORE. SO WHEN SHE WAS MARRIED IT DIDN’T CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR HER OR HER HUSBAND FRANK. FRANK IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN HER LIFE. AND SHE’S GLAD THAT SHE HAS HIM.SHE LOVES HIM WITH ALL HER HEART AND HE LOVES HER JUST THE SAME. HE MAKES SURE THAT HE CAN CARE FOR HER IN ALL THEY WAYS HE CAN. THAT’S WHY HE JOINED THE MILITARY.SO THAT HE COULD SUPPORT HER AND KEEP FOOD ON THE TABLE. HE ALSO WANTED TO HAVE KIDS BUT BECAUSE OF NECOLLE’S PROBLEMS, SHE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO BEAR ANY FOR HIM. BUT HE STILL LOVES HER. WHETHER SHE’S PERFECT OR NOT. WELL I GUESS SHE IS PERFECT IN HIS EYES. THE BEST WIFE A MAN COULD HAVE. IT HURTS HIM TO BE AWAY FROM HER THOUGH.HE HATES BEING SO FAR. NOT ABLE TO TOUCH, OR HOLD HIS WIFE, OR EVEN SEE HER FACE UNLESS SHE SENDS PICTURES BUT TO HIM, IT’S JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH. NECOLLE ALMOST BEGINS TO CRY AT THE THOUGHT OF HER HUSBAND NOT BEING HERE BUT STOPS HERSELF. REALIZING MAXIE IS STILL HERE SHE STRAIGHTENS HERSELF UP. “IS THIS ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?” SHE ASKS STILL WONDERING IF IT’S GOING TO BE THIS EASY.
“NOT QUITE. SHE STILL NEEDS HER SHOTS AND RECORDS STARTED.”
“YOU MEAN IT HASN’T BEEN DONE YET?” SHE ASKS QUITE SURPRISED.
“NO. WE’RE NOT QUITE AN ORGANIZED GROUP.” SHE STATES.
“THAT’S REDICULOUS. YOU REALLY NEED TO KEEP THINGS IN ORDER UP THERE.” SHE SAYS.
“I KNOW BUT WE’VE BEEN QUITE BUSY LATELY. I’M SORRY. BUT WE HAVE MADE A PREPAID APPOINTMENT FOR TOMMOROW AT 11AM.”
“I GUESS I COULD TAKE HER MYSELF. I AM HER NEW FOSTER MOTHER AFTER ALL.”
“WELL UNLESS YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. I NEED TO BE MOVING ON” SHE SAYS STANDING UP OUT OF HER CHAIR.
“HERE. I’LL WALK YOU OUT.” SHE ALSO STANDS WHILE HOLDING THE QUIET BABY GIRL IN HER HANDS. SHE OPENS THE DOUBLE GLASS DOORS FOR MAXIE AND WAITS UNTIL SHE’S THROUGH TO LET HERSELF INTO THE HOUSE ALSO. SHE WALKS HER TO THE FRONT DOOR AND OPENS IT. “HAVE A GOOD DAY MAXIE. THANKYOU FOR EVERYTHING.”
“YOU TOO MRS. KING. I’LL MAKE SURE TO CALL ABOUT YOUR PROBLEM. I’LL SEE IF THEY CAN LET HER STAY HERE EVEN THOUGH YOUR HUSBAND IS GONE.”
“THANKYOU. GOODBYE MAXIE. HAVE A GOOD AFTERNOON.”
“YOU TOO MRS.KING.” AND WITH THOSE LAST WORDS SHE TURNED TO LEAVE. SHE WALKED DOWN THE MARBLE STEPS AND GOT INTO HER CAR. SHE SAT THERE FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE SHE STARTED IT. WHY DIDN’T I SAY BYE TO HER. IT’S JUST SO HARD LETTING HER GO. SHE THINKS TO HERSELF. WITH TEARS BUILDING UP BEHIND HER EYES, SHE PUTS THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND STARTS THE CAR. SHE TURNS OFF THE BRAKE AND HEADS OFF DOWN THE ROAD. AS NECOLLE WATCHES SHE WAVES BYE WITH THE BABY’S HAND AS THE CAR DRIVES OFF. SEEING THIS, MAXIE WAVES BACK AND SPEEDS OFF BEFORE THEY CAN SEE HER TEARS. I HATE MY JOB. NO ON SECOND THOUGHT I LOVE IT. I GET TO HELP KIDS IN NEED. I’M DOING THE RIGHT THING. I JUST KNOW IT. I CAN FEEL IT IN MY HEART.
AND THAT’S HOW MY LIFE STARTED OUT.