Tracie Peterson (7 page)

Before Barbara continued, she looked over at Sherry, recognizing that she was pulling deep within herself mentally. She
saw the distant look, the blank, expressionless eyes. This was Sherry’s trademark way of dealing with pain and problems.

“I’m afraid that after having Sherry undergo routine drug testing and other lab analysis, the results reveal that she’s pregnant.”

Joey slid down in his seat and stuffed his hands in his pockets while Mr. and Mrs. Delberto looked at each other in astonishment.

“That doesn’t mean the baby is Joey’s,” Mrs. Delberto snapped. “Obviously the girl has no morals. She could have been running around with half the school for all we know.”

Barbara fixed her gaze on Sherry. “Sherry, were you with anyone else? Is it possible this baby belongs to someone other than Joey Delberto?”

Sherry said nothing, her shoulders hunched forward ever so slightly, almost as if Barbara’s words were blows.

“Sherry, I want you to answer me on this,” Barbara pressed.

Sherry shook her head. “If I really am pregnant, then it’s Joey’s. I wasn’t with anyone else.”

“What does she mean, if she really is pregnant?” Mr. Delberto finally spoke.

“I just broke the news to Sherry,” Barbara admitted. “She hasn’t taken the news much better than you have. It’s just as much a shock to her as it is to you.”

“I don’t believe any of this,” Mrs. Delberto declared.

“We can have DNA testing done,” Barbara countered.

“The kid is mine,” Joey said in a grave tone that sent all eyes, including Sherry’s, to the fifteen-year-old’s ashen face.

“You don’t know that, son,” Mr. Delberto declared. “You know, we should probably talk to a lawyer. Those two are probably in this together and it’s some mixed-up way to milk us for money so the state doesn’t have to pay child support for the baby.”

“I’m not having this baby,” Sherry said angrily. She got to her feet and faced the Delbertos. “Since everyone is so certain I’m pregnant, I’ll take care of the matter myself.” She turned to
Barbara. “I want an abortion. It’s my constitutional right. We learned that much in sex-ed class.”

Barbara looked past Sherry to the very uncomfortable family. Finally she settled her gaze on Joey. “What about you? Do you agree to sign away any rights to this child and allow Sherry to have an abortion?”

“He’ll sign whatever we tell him to,” Mr. Delberto answered for his son. “He’s just a child.”

“A child who has fathered a child,” Barbara reminded them. “He has certain rights as well.”

Joey looked almost apologetically to Sherry before looking back at the floor. “I’ll sign whatever I have to to get this over with.”

Barbara realized that even if the kid had had any other thought on the matter, his parents would have rapidly seen to a change of mind.

“There’s always a possibility that Sherry will change her mind,” Barbara added. “Would you also agree to waive your rights in case Sherry desires to put the baby up for adoption?”

“Surely she wouldn’t actually consider such a thing,” Mrs. Delberto replied.

Barbara cringed inwardly, wishing with all her heart the woman had remained silent. The one thing Sherry couldn’t stand was any adult implying what she should or shouldn’t consider doing.

“This is completely up to Sherry,” Barbara replied, desiring nothing more than to put an end to the discussion. She hoped that by saying this, Sherry would still feel as if she had some control and say over the events that were to take place.

“Well, I don’t care what you say,” Mrs. Delberto said, getting to her feet. “I want this thing settled. My son isn’t going to be responsible for anything connected with her. She’s trash and that’s all she’ll ever be.”

****

“Are you sure about this?” Brad asked Tess in an animated voice.

Tess felt a wave of pleasure at his joy. His eyes were alight with anticipation and hope. She hadn’t seen him look like this in months—years, really.

“Yes. I’ve prayed about it and thought it through. You go ahead and tell Justin that we’d like to adopt a baby from one of those unwed teenagers.”

Brad came from around the breakfast table to pull Tess into his arms. “I’m so happy you’ve decided to do this.”

“
We’ve
decided,” Tess corrected him. “It was your idea, after all. I would never have thought of it if you hadn’t been so supportive of it.”

“You won’t regret it,” Brad said, kissing her passionately.

Tess wrapped her arms around Brad’s neck and returned the kiss. She prayed she wouldn’t regret it, but deep in her heart she still held nagging doubts. Maybe it would be all right. Like her doctor had told her, often people adopted and when they stopped trying so hard to have a baby, voilá—they were pregnant. But then, Tess had read extensively on the subject of infertility and knew full well that many couples never conceived—even after adopting.

Brad pulled away abruptly. “I have to call Justin. Better yet, I’ll go by his office.” He twirled Tess around and danced a few steps with her in the kitchen. “We’re going to be parents!”

Tess laughed at his antics, but inside her heart ached. How she wished her news could have been that the doctors were wrong—that she was pregnant. If only his excitement were due to her having conceived.

I want to be happy about this, Lord. I know you can give me a peace about this. I know you can show me how to let go of my own desires and seek yours instead
.

Hours later, with Brad gone, Tess made her way across town to pick up some floor plans and color photos for the Johnsons. She thought of Laura Johnson and knew she would be pleased to have her parents’ old friends nearby. Laura
was the motherly sort and Tess knew she could easily be the grandmotherly sort as well. Maybe once Tess and Brad adopted, Laura would be a good source of advice on raising children. With Brad’s mother passed on and Elaine living so far away, Tess took comfort in the idea that Laura Johnson might well become a mentor.

The real estate office was in a small strip mall not far from Tess’s home. Familiar with the shops there, Tess was rather surprised to see that one of her favorite knickknack shops had been replaced with a store boasting every possible type and style of bedding.

She didn’t really give it much thought until after she’d picked up the package for the Johnsons. Then she saw the sign again and the storefront window seemed to beckon to her. Tossing the package in the car, Tess made her way back to the store. She walked inside and was immediately overwhelmed by the sweet mulberry scent.

“Good morning,” an older saleswoman announced. “May I help you?”

“I just came in to look around. I didn’t realize this store had changed.”

The woman smiled. “We’ve only been open for a few days. Feel free to look around. We carry the finest linens and bedding. If you see something you like, just ask for help.”

Tess nodded. “Thank you.”

Tess spent several minutes studying the layout of the store. To the far right the entire wall was a shelf of various comforters and to the left were wall displays showing various bedding combinations. Then something in the very back caught Tess’s eye.

The display was done in such a fashion that without even questioning it, Tess knew the area held designs for children and infants. Maneuvering past rows of printed sheets, Tess made her way to a section that read
For Baby’s Comfort
. Tess found herself inexplicably drawn to the rows of hand knitting and muted pastels.

And then she saw it. A white hand-crocheted baby afghan, so lacy and fine that she couldn’t help but pick it up. The softness amazed Tess. She could only imagine cradling a newborn in the creation.

“Are you expecting?” the saleswoman questioned.

Tess glanced up. She shook her head, then remembered her agreement. “Well, in a way. My husband and I are going to adopt.”

“How wonderful. Have you begun plans for the nursery?”

Tess shook her head. “No, I don’t suppose we’ve even thought of that.”

“Well, I have some books here that might help. You see, once you pick a theme, it’s much easier to decide on the things you’ll need.”

Tess refused to put down the blanket. “I like this,” she said. “I don’t suppose that’s exactly a theme, but that’s a start for me.”

The woman nodded. “It’s a lovely piece. Would you like to purchase it today?”

Tess had planned to return the afghan after studying it a bit longer, but the idea of leaving it behind was unthinkable. In some ways it represented her willingness to move forward instead of letting herself go on being wrapped up in the past.

“Yes,” Tess declared. “I want to buy it now.”

When she got back out to the car, Tess opened the box. The saleswoman had carefully sandwiched the blanket between two pieces of white tissue paper. Once again, Tess touched the baby softness, but this time she drew the afghan to her cheek. A surge of energy burst to life inside of her.

“This blanket is for my baby,” Tess whispered. The idea seemed too impossible to believe. “We’re really going to do this.”

The excitement of the idea finally took root in her heart and began to grow. With a look of wonder, Tess replaced the blanket and sat in silence for several moments. “We’re going to adopt a baby.”

Tess giggled. “I’m going to be a mom.”

She thought of Laney and Kim and how happy they were. Kim and Travis had planned so long for Laney’s arrival. Tess easily remembered being dragged from one store to another, looking for things for the nursery.

“We’ve got so much to do,” she declared to herself. There was the nursery and furnishings. Then she would have to baby-proof the house.

“What about names?” she declared, even as she realized it was rather premature. “We’ll have to figure out a name for a boy and a girl.”

The excitement of motherhood took over the final visages of apprehension in Tess’s heart. Surely this was the peace and happiness she’d originally waited for.

She started the car and headed for home, but just as she started to turn, Tess remembered a wonderful little baby shop that Kim had taken her to. It was no more than another mile, maybe two, up the road.

Laughing to herself for being so silly, Tess headed to the store. “I’m going shopping for my baby,” she said with little-girl delight. “I’m really going to do this!”

CHAPTER 7

For the second time in five weeks, Tess sat down to coffee and homemade cinnamon rolls in the Kansas City home of Darren and Laura Johnson.

“I have always loved your name,” Laura said as she poured coffee into her husband’s cup. “Tessera has such an appealing ring to it, and I always thought it fascinating that the word came from those little pieces in a mosaic. Who knew they even had a name?” Laura questioned with a grin.

“Your mother must have known you were going to be a special child,” Darren said, spooning sugar into his coffee.

“I suppose it’s the only thing my biological mother ever did right,” Tess replied, stirring cream into her coffee. “I love the name, but on the other hand, I’ve certainly never had much luck finding it on any of those cute knickknacks you find at souvenir stands. Lots of Sarahs and Marys, but no Tesseras.” She tapped the spoon against the cup, then placed it on the saucer.

“Well, I disagree about your mom. She had you, so she did at least two things right,” Laura replied. She smiled at Tess as she tested the temperature of the coffee with the briefest sip. Completely changing the subject, Laura said, “You remind me so much of Stella.”

“Why?” Tess asked curiously. Being adopted, Tess had never really thought of being compared to either of her parents.

“Your mom always liked a little coffee with her cream and I’ve noticed you’re the same way. Half a cup of creamer and half a cup of coffee.”

Tess laughed. “Guilty as charged.” She sampled Laura’s cinnamon rolls and gave a sigh. “I wish I could make something that tasted like this.”

“I’ll teach you after I move to Florida,” Laura replied.
“Darren can go out fishing and golfing with his friends and you and I can make cinnamon rolls.”

“Speaking of golf,” Darren said, eyeing his watch, “I’d better get going. We’re teeing off in half an hour and you know how traffic can be at this time of day.”

Laura waggled her finger at him. “You should know better than to plan a morning rush-hour game. Would it have hurt you to wait until ten or eleven?”

“Yup,” Darren replied, leaning over to kiss her before he got to his feet. “Would have just about broken my heart if I couldn’t have had an excuse to get tangled up on I-35 in the morning rush. I do some of my best praying in traffic jams.”

“Then you ought to love Miami,” Tess teased. “Especially the Palmetto from four to six-thirty.”

“I’ll remember that,” Darren said with a grin.

“You’d better wear a jacket. It might be May,” Laura told him, “but you know this weather can turn cold without warning.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, giving her a little one-fingered salute off his rather bulbous nose. “Don’t let her ever tell you that I’m in charge,” Darren said to Tess.

Tess couldn’t help but smile. She had forgotten how much she liked Darren and Laura Johnson. Her parents had been friends with them for practically forever, but once Tess and Elaine passed from the child stage into the teenage stage, they seldom shared events with their parents’ friends.

“Well, at least with him gone,” Laura said, “we can get down to business.”

Tess pulled out a pencil to take notes. “Is Adam still determined to take over the house?” She fervently hoped Laura would affirm this earlier suggestion. She had no desire to have to arrange for the sale of this fashionable estate.

“Yes. We’ve already begun the arrangements. Our lawyer is taking care of drawing up a contract. Adam is working from his end with our banker and hopefully the entire matter can be resolved by the end of the month.”

“So have you decided how soon you want to make the actual move?”

“The sooner the better. We certainly don’t need to stick around for all the details up here. I’m leaving Adam a good portion of the furniture and bric-a-brac. I’m sending several pieces of furniture and art to Aaron—along with half a dozen boxes of memorabilia and more knickknacks.”