Page 77 of Silver Brewer

“I can’t wait until you’re back here and see how a family should treat you.” The comment stings because it implies my family doesn’t treat me well, which they don’t. Still, it hurts to accept the reality.

“It’s another reason I want a baby. I’ll treat him differently. Very differently. He’ll be my family.”

“A baby boy. You know, I thought all women dreamed of little girls.”

“Maybe someday,” I say, but I don’t believe I’ll adopt more than one child.

“Harrington brothers seem to only have girls. I have two, my girl has two. Charlie has one. But my mother had four boys, and Mati had twin sons. It’s like an unknown curse. There isn’t anyone to carry on our name.” He says it with such pride and concern, I’m a little sad. I suppose a son of a son is important to a family legacy.

“What can you do about it? I guess that leaves James.” I laugh at my joke, but Giant falls very quiet. “What did I say?”

“Nothing, sweetheart.” The drop to his tone tells me not to ask, so I move on.

“So, two weeks? That’s a lot of nights with my vibrator.”

Giant chokes. “Your what?”

“Bunny ears,” I tease.

“I…I want to see.” His voice drops again, and I squirm a little with excitement. This man has certainly been an adventure. One I’d take again and again.

29

Baby blues

[Giant]

Thanksgiving isn’t for three more days, but people act like today starts their holiday. I’m sullen and somber for some reason, but when Letty’s name pops up on my phone, I feel a little lighter.

“I’m getting a baby.”

It takes me a second to register what she’s said before I’ve even said hello.

“A baby?” I choke before I realize what she means. “I mean, a baby. Tell me everything.” It’s so wrong that I’m a little deflated with the announcement. I’m happy for her. I am. This is what she wanted, but I don’t see myself going the baby route again. I’ve already been there, and while I’d like to say I’ve done that, I didn’t. I wasn’t home when Ellie was born. When Sarah was due, I was scheduled to deploy. She came early just so I wouldn’t miss the experience, but I still wasn’t around for diapers and late nights and breastfeeding. Not that Letty can do that last one.

“You don’t sound happy,” she says, her excitement waning a bit.

“No, no, I am. Bad day. Tell me all about him.”

“He’s beautiful. They sent me a picture. He’s three months old, and the mother abandoned him. Brought him to the hospital and left him in the emergency room. After running a battery of tests on him, he needed some immediate medical attention. She was a young woman who didn’t take care of herself and couldn’t take care of him.”

“What?” Who abandons their child?

“Yep. My adoption liaison called me right away. She said I’m the perfect candidate.”

“Medical issues? That don’t sound too good, Cricket.” There could be potential for all kinds of heartbreak if the child has a disease or an addiction. Who knows where this mother came from or what she did? And what happens if she returns? But Letty’s already told me she has faith in the system.

“Whatever he needs, as long as he’s mine. And the good news is, I only need to wait out the abandonment for six months instead of a year for the adoption to stick.” It all sounds worrisome to me, but Letty’s enthusiasm is contagious. “I’m so excited.” She squeals into the phone, and I wish I was there to celebrate with her. I want to be excited for her, but my heart selfishly sinks a little more because I know what’s coming after my next question.

“When do you pick him up?”

“Tomorrow.” Her voice cracks again with her eagerness.

“What about Thanksgiving?”

“I’m so sorry, Giant. I can’t travel under the adoption rules. I can’t go anywhere for six months.” Reality slowly sets in, and her voice falters as she repeats, “Six months.” The words echo through the phone like an empty cave.

I swallow back the fear in my throat. “We can do this,” I encourage.