Page 99 of Broken Halo

That baby wasn’t more than a few hours old and she was hungry. I wrapped her up in a clean towel, and can’t believe myself, but I put her in a laundry basket and strapped her into the back seat of my car. She sure has a set of lungs on her because she hollered all the way back to town.

When I got to the doctors’ house, the two of ‘em were eating a quiet supper and were surprised to see me, but even more surprised to see me with a screaming newborn.

Mr. A, with horrified eyes, took the laundry basket from me and Miss T, came to hold my hand.

And I told them.

I told them everything. About Ray, about how Easton had to grow up because I can’t seem to gather enough money for him and me to escape, and how I’ll die before another innocent human is subjected to the venomous poison that is my husband.

That’s why Ray can’t know about this baby. It was hard enough protecting Easton. Not that I wouldn’t raise another, especially Easton’s sister. I would do that for my boy. But Ray would never let me. He’s just that horrible.

Miss T looked over the newborn, her smart and clinical eyes examining the baby before wrapping up her naked little body, and swaddling it to her chest. Then, like they were speaking without words, Mr. A nodded to her and left.

He was back in a flash with formula, bottles, and diapers.

The doctors, they’re God’s people and the best around. I’ve been cleaning and cooking for them three days a week for years. I knew they’d help.

I asked them what was gonna happen to the baby girl and begged them to help me so Ray wouldn’t find out about her because if her mama was willing to leave her naked, crying, and hungry on a stoop for some wild animal, she didn’t deserve to be a mama.

They looked at each other and then to me. Then they told me to go home and they’d talk about it, but that they’d help me just like I knew they would.

Fuck.

I look up at Ellie who has tears in her eyes. She turns the page of the journal in my hands and whispers, “Keep reading.”

August 28th —

Today was something.

I think I helped kidnap a baby even though the doctors told me to quit thinking of it that way. Miss T told me I saved a life yesterday. Mr. A told me it was a way to make sure Easton’s baby sister was loved and taken care of. They both told me it was a gift and we’re gonna raise her together.

Even now, I can’t believe it, but I agreed. When I left their house this afternoon, Mr. A was doing something to make sure this baby would be theirs and only theirs. That there would be no trail to Ray—ever. He was paying someone to make her official—a birth certificate and whatever else makes a person legitimate. Then they said to quit the rest of my jobs, that I was gonna work for them full-time. I’d still cook and clean, but I’d also help raise Easton’s sister. They said we’d do it, the three of us.

But I can’t tell anyone. Not even Easton. They made me promise and said for the safety of the baby and theirs and mine, it would be our secret … forever.

I hope I don’t regret this but it’s a chance I’ve gotta take. That baby is just too sweet. The doctors went out and bought her some clothes and gave her a bath. She had a full belly when I left and was snoozin’ away in Miss T’s arms. She was like a little sweet pea, all bundled and cozy. I cried all the way home because that baby girl doesn’t know it, but those doctors need her just as much as she needs them.

If only Easton could know his sister, but that’s a risk I just can’t take.

I look up at Ellie—I can’t read any more. It doesn’t matter what more there is anyway.

Ellie grips my hand. “Say something. This is such a shock. About your mom and … holy shit, Trig. You have a sister.”

She’s up on her knees, leaning back on her calves, her eyes begging me to say something.

“You had no idea?” she keeps on. “Do you know the doctors or whoever she was talking about?”

I shake my head. “Not really. I met them a few times and mom would mention their daughter—fuck, my sister—who she took care of. But I don’t ever remember meeting her. Hell, I barely talked to the doctors at my mom’s funeral.”

Ellie’s eyes widen and she scoots closer on her knees. “You have to call them. Reach out to them, maybe not about your sister at first, but … I don’t know, about something. Just a chance to talk to them. I can make up a reason—I was always a good liar.”

I tip my head. “You were?”

She raises a brow and looks proud of herself. “I snuck out every night for months on end to meet you, didn’t I?”

I pull in a big breath and nod. “You did.”

She crawls into my lap like she does so often these days. “I can’t believe your mom. I don’t know whether to be impressed or freaked out that she was capable of that.”

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