Page 9 of One Small Secret

“No, but it's the middle of the night there, so that’s not surprising.”

My hand freezes in the middle of reaching for my briefcase. “The middle of the night? Where is she?”

“She found a job opportunity. It’s a three-month type of thing in Majorca.” Mom smiles. “She's going to be on television.”

“What?” My voice is loud enough that it makes the baby start and look up, his dark eyes wide and his lip trembling. I know that look. Any moment now, the tears will start. Great. Not only am I not a baby whisperer, I’m a baby terrifier. I lower my voice and paste a grin on my face. Babies can’t tell when you're being insincere, can they? “Where’s Majorca? Do you know if she’s coming back for him?”

“Near Spain,” Mom says and then her face falls. “I don’t know her plans. She didn’t even tell me about him. Why wouldn’t she tell me about him? When Garff died I told her to come to me if she ever needed help. No one should be parentless in their twenties. I can’t believe she’s done this alone.”

I do feel bad for Moira. Really, I do, but she has basically left her own child parentless and he is nowhere near twenty. “Moira has always had to do things her way. But what I really can’t believe is how she didn’t tell us anything about him. What if his father is looking for him? Is he even hers? We’re stuck with this baby we know nothing about.”

Mom drops her eyes and brushes a tiny curl on the top of the baby’s head. “Moira isn’t a kidnapper. She’ll reach out. I just don’t understand why she didn’t include me in this. I would’ve happily taken him.”

“Mom. What do you mean by that?”

Mom doesn’t look up. “She didn’t trust me with him. She gave him to you.”

The truth hits me and I know exactly why Moira left him with me. It wasn’t that Moira didn’t trust Mom. She knew Mom would help her. “I’m the one she didn’t trust, Mom. She had to drop the baby off with me, or I might not have helped at all.” I unzip my briefcase and open my computer. “There’d better be an email from her.”

And to my surprise, there is.

I motion for Mom to join me at the counter. She rushes over and we read together.

Cadence,

You’ve probably noticed by now that I left a piece of my heart behind with you. First of all, I want you to know how hard that was. It’s been me and Axley against the world since the day he was born. I’m devastated to leave him behind. But I know you’ll take good care of him, and I’m sure your mom will help too. Really, the two of you will do a much better job with him than I've done.

We’ve been moving around, chasing jobs that never last longer than a few weeks. But now I have a chance to do something that will put me on the map, and I have to take it. For both me and Axley. I’m going to be part of a new reality TV show called Billionaire or Broke? I’m pretty sure I got the job because I was the brokest person who applied. We’re filming on the island of Majorca. Per my agreement with them, this is the last communication I can have with you until filming finishes in Spring.

Axley’s father died of an overdose six months before Axley was born. It was terrible, but between that and my pregnancy I finally had the courage to get clean. Axley is my miracle in so many ways. Please take good care of him while I’m gone. I know you will.

And look for me on TV! Commercials should be airing soon. Show Axley his Mama on TV.

Moira

P.S. VERY IMPORTANT: I didn’t tell anyone in the production company about Axley. At first I thought it was such a long shot that it wouldn’t matter, and then as the process continued, I just didn’t find the right time. If the press comes asking you questions, PLEASE don't tell them he's mine. I’ve signed all kinds of documents saying I’m free and clear and have no one relying on my income. Plus, you know how scandals at home play out on air—never very well. I’ll deal with the fallout AFTER the show is done.

There’s a brief moment of silence. Then Mom turns to me. “Axley? What kind of a name is Axley?”

She must be my mom, because that is exactly what I was thinking. “Mom.” I shake my head even though I agree with her. “Does that even matter? She’s left him with us for three months. We can’t do this.”

I sit at the table and hit reply.

Moira,

You cannot leave Axley with us for three months. If he's your miracle, you’d better hustle back here and get him. Mom and I can help you find a job—maybe here in Rosco, so we can all help each other out, but you cannot—I repeat, cannot—just leave him with us. Come. Home. Now.

He cried for you all last night.

I feel a little guilty about that last line, but Axley isn't my responsibility, and Mom is right. It’s a ridiculous name. I type my name and hit send. An email immediately pops into my inbox.

Address Not Found

I curse and slam my laptop closed.

“Cadence, don’t say that in front of the baby.”

“I guarantee he’s heard worse with Moira as his mother.”

---