“At lunchtime, I received a call no mother should ever receive. Who could be capable of hurting our baby? We trusted everyone around her.”
- Love What Matters
- Children
“At lunchtime, I received a call no mother should ever receive. Who could be capable of hurting our baby? We trusted everyone around her.”
“My heart started racing. Why was she calling? ‘Would you be open to the placement of this sweet boy again?’ I blurted, “YES, of course.’ Then I started sobbing. How can I care for a toddler AND twins?”
“There was no looking back. Kids knew to hide, and run as fast as you could, even if you got separated from your parents.”
“Can I be honest for a second? I don’t want to be apologizing anymore.”
“My heart sank into my stomach as I read those words. They were written in a letter addressed to my soon to be husband.”
“Something felt ‘off.’ She noticed the same thing. Then, things moved quickly. They had never seen this happen.”
“’How old is he?’ I asked. ‘More than 4,’ the relative said quietly. ‘Months?’ I asked. ‘No, 4 years,’ he clarified. ‘This is his twin sister,’ he said pointing to Selena. There were no shoes, socks, or undergarments. I pressed him against my body, attempting to cover him as best I could as we passed the crowds of school children on the street.”
“He hands me a paper towel. I mean dude, what the hell am I gonna do with a paper towel? Dry the poop? Soak the bath water?”
“I’ve gotten the ‘Why did you rush into marriage?’ question, because I was married at 22 years old. But being young isn’t doing me any favors.”
“I wasn’t like him. He was a prestigious lawyer, while I was a beaten, broken, and utterly lost human being. I’d lost all of my future at the altar 8 years earlier. I didn’t say anything as I tried to choke back the tears. Eventually he said, ‘let me help you,’ breaking the silence, and branding the words onto my heart.”