Page 82 of Shattered Dreams

“Oh, baby.” Mom’s hand lifted to her mouth. “So, she left.”

Nodding, I let the small sob out that was in my chest.

“Honey. What did she do?” She reached over and opened a drawer on the hutch behind us, taking out a dish towel and handing it to me. “Did she abort it?”

I shake my head.

“Adoption?”

My whole body shook as I cried. I didn’t even hear my mom push back her chair and stand up. Her arms embraced me as she rocked me, letting me cry.

“Oh god, Mom.” I threw my arms around her and bawled.

My heart finally opened up, letting the pain and hurt out after finding out I was a dad and I never got to hold my little girl.

Ever since Jo told me when we were camping, I haven’t told anyone or talked about it. And with the holiday here, her kids loving me and becoming mine and seeing Cooper with Sammy, I needed my mom.

When I calmed down and stopped sobbing, I sat back, blew my nose, and took a deep breath to tell my mom the rest.

“Do you remember when she was in that car accident?”

Mom nodded and tipped my chin up to meet her eyes.

“She was on her way here. Jo was coming back to tell me.”

“Oh, no.” A tear fell from mom’s eye.

“She went into labor and the baby was stillborn.”

“Oh.” Mom choked back a sob. “So they don’t know if the accident caused the labor or if the labor would’ve happened in its own time.”

I nodded and wiped my face. “Either way, Layla Marie Parks was born and buried.”

“I’m so sorry, Richie. That’s a pain no parent ever wants to feel.” Ma wiped her tears away.

“Ma, I know I’m hurting.” I shrugged. “But she went through it alone.”

“Oh god.”

“I should’ve been there.” My body shuddered as I took a deep breath. “I don’t know what I could’ve done, but then she wouldn’t have been alone. And then she wouldn’t have met assfucker.”

“Assfucker.” Ma laughed and sat back. “You’re right. But you’re forgetting something.”

“What?”

“Without him? She wouldn’t have those five beautiful angels.”

Thoughts of the kids filled me with hope. “I can make sure she doesn’t face anything alone ever again.”

Mom cupped my cheek, pulled me forward, and kissed my forehead. Then she got up and left the room.

I looked around, confused, and before I knew it, she was back. She sat next to me again, took my hand and placed a ring box in it. “My oldest. You are my most serious. My first. You made me a mom and I want you to know I’ve always been proud of you.”

“Awe, Ma.”

She nodded at the box. “Open it.”

Snapping the lid open, I saw my grandmother’s ring. Deep green stones surrounded the diamond. It was gran’s favorite color. I smiled looking up at mom.

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