“Have you thought about adoption, Lorena? There’re long waits for couples who can’t have children.”
“Yes, but the thought of never seeing my child again haunts me.” Lorena began to sob. “I keep having this recurring nightmare where a little boy cries out for his mama, but I can’t reach him.” She was crying hysterically now.
Anna took both their cups and put them into the center cup holder. She reached over and placed her hand on Lorena’s arm rubbing gently. They sat in silence for a few moments until the weeping subsided.
“Auntie, if I could just figure out what I’m supposed to do—I ask God, but I hear nothing.”
“What do your parents suggest?”
“I can’t talk to them about this. I overheard my mom and dad arguing. Mom said it wouldn’t be fair for her to have to put her whole life on hold and look after my baby while I finish school. Dad didn’t agree and said their grandchild was more important than a career. Then Mom began shouting that he felt this way because it wasn’t his career on the line … and the fight was on.” Lorena sniffed loudly and rubbed her hand across her face.
Anna searched her purse for a tissue, to no avail, and came up with a napkin from the door pocket.
Lorena flipped the mirror down and swabbed at her face.
“Auntie, it’s so weird. My parents fight more these days now that Dad has finally found his voice, but … they seem closer than ever.” Lorena shook her head. “I can’t quite figure that one out.
“Well, my dear,” Anna said, “conflict in relationship is inevitable, it’s how we handle it that matters the most. Your parents are finally being real with each other where both have equal say—that’s healthy.”
Lorena nodded. “That makes sense, but what I overheard made me understand that I can’t put this decision on them. You know how important Mom’s career is to her. She would rather die than give that up.”
Anna nodded unable to refute the truth. As sisters, they had always been polar opposites. She was all about family, nurturing and homemaking. Lana was more about education, career, and status. They both could’ve used a little of what the other had.
“Lorena, what if I raised your baby?” She was shocked at her own words, for she had not previously thought about or mulled over the possibility. In fact, it had not fully traveled to the brain when she blurted it out.
Lorena’s face lit up like a Christmas tree with a thousand bulbs. She threw her arms around Anna and hugged so tightly she had to pry apart a bit just to breathe.
“Oh, Auntie, you would do that for me … for us?” She rubbed her hands over the growing bulge.
Anna couldn’t retract her words, as crazy as they were, they felt right. “When your child’s old enough to understand, we’ll tell him about you and the sacrifice you made to bring him into the world. He’ll know how much you love him.
“Oh my gosh, Auntie—I can’t believe I’ll get to see him grow and yet finish growing up myself. Just to know that he’ll be safe and well taken care of.” Her face brightened and a genuine smile split across her beautiful face.
“I was wondering why, if God was with me, that nothing seemed right, not abortion, not keeping the baby, not imposing the child on my parents, not giving the child up for adoption—nothing—until now.”
“Lorena, this is just an idea. You must pray about it, and we must talk to your parents—they may have other ideas.”
A hitch of fear bristled up her spine. What had she done? “Also, you may find as you pray that your thinking changes and that’s fine.”
Lorena’s eyes grew wide and danced with fear. “You did mean what you just said, didn’t you?”
“Of course, honey, but I want you to know that you have options.”
Lorena’s voice lifted in confidence. “Auntie, I’ve explored my options until my heart felt like it was bleeding out. This is the first bit of hope I’ve had in months. Thank you. Thank you.”
Fully energized, Lorena literally bounced in her seat as if a load had been lifted from her tiny shoulders. “Come on, Auntie, we’ve got some serious shopping to do.” Excitement was back in her voice.
Lorena flicked on the radio where strains of “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” filled the car. She began to do a tap dance with her feet as Anna pulled out of the parking lot.
In truth, Anna was flabbergasted. Her mind began to whirl and spin like a leaf in a windstorm. Oh my gosh, what are Tom and Lana going to think? I should’ve discussed this with them first.
The truth hit her full on. What just happened was not her idea at all—it had flowed as spontaneously as water runs downhill. She could not argue that God had planted, sprouted, and grown the idea in a split second.
Droplets of fear splashed upon the pages of her mind as one logical question after another surfaced. “God, don’t I have enough on my plate? I’m a single mom. How am I going to raise two infants?”
You don’t have to be a single mom.
Anna changed stations and turned the radio louder. She received an instant smile from her niece. She would grapple with the shadows some other time. For today, she dared not allow fear and doubt poke any more pinholes in her mind or Lorena would pick up on her angst.
They pulled into the drive, and Anna squeezed Lorena’s arm. “Let me talk to your parents first, okay? This idea may come as a bit of a shock. I think it’s best coming from me.”
“No problem, Auntie. I agree.”
“Tell your mom I’ll call her.”
“Thanks, Auntie. I love you so much.” They hugged and Anna watched her niece practically bounce into
