Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: PIECE / PEACE (02/16/23)
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TITLE: A Place for Joy | Previous Challenge Entry
By Holly Westefeld
02/23/23 -
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"I know you are estranged from your family, but is there anyone you might be comfortable with adopting her, if they were willing?"
"One of the other women told me recently that the older she gets, the smarter her parents seem. I didn't appreciate mine at the time, but they were good parents, and I love the thought of her growing up in their home. You know, after she's born, I think I'll use the money I've saved and take a bus back to Texas."
"If you're sure, then we'll call that a plan. If you change your mind, you know where to find me."
"Thank you! You have helped me so much since the police rescued me from that evil ... fiend. He doesn't deserve being called a man. You have helped me start to heal on the inside.
*****
I am exhausted, but the moment the nurse places the baby in my arms, I am awestruck. It's like looking at my baby book. I had not decided on a name, but now I know. I look up at the nurse. "Her name is Joy Christine. Joy is my middle name, and Christine is my mother's name."
"A beautiful name for a beautiful baby. Congratulations, Dawn!"
*****
The closer the bus gets to my small hometown in Texas, the less certain I am of my decision to return home. The looks of shock and pain on my parents' faces when I told them I was going to California with Lu after my graduation party replays on a loop in my head. Why would I think that I could just show up on their doorstep after a year and a half, as though nothing had happened? Would they be angry, smug, or perhaps worst of all indifferent? Would they slam the door in my face?
I ask the kind older woman across the aisle if she has a piece of paper and a pen. She does, and I write:
Please give your granddaughter, Joy Christine, a home. She deserves a good home, which I cannot provide. For what it's worth, I'm sorry for what I did. Perhaps you can find it in your hearts to pray for me as I move on and try to do something with the shattered pieces of my life.
As the bus pulls in to the station, I layer blankets over and around Joy, and am thankful that someone had donated a parka to the shelter. I store my duffle in a locker, throw the diaper bag over my shoulder, and scoop the car seat in to my arms. Fortunately, my destination is only a few blocks away.
My stomach churns as I walk up the front walk. My heart is breaking. Only the knowledge that this is the best place for Joy propels my leaden feet up the steps to place her in the morning sunshine where mom will see her when she opens the curtains, except the curtains are already open, and Mom sees me set the carrier down. I am almost to the street when I hear the door open and Mom call, "Wait!"
I pause.
"Dawn?"
"Please take care of Joy."
"She needs you, Dawn. Please stay home with her."
Home. That one word fills my heart with peace. I turn slowly. Mom flies down the steps in pajamas and slippers and engulfs me in a bear hug.
She looks back at the porch. "Let's get Joy inside."
She runs up the steps and calls through the door, "Rick, it's Dawn! We have a granddaughter!"
The breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, and several pieces of bacon is the best I have had in a long time. Mom's eating is distracted, while she gazes at Joy nestled in her arm.
After breakfast, Dad heads for the attic and brings the pieces of my crib down to my room. I glance around. Everything is as I left it. I walk over to the nightstand and look down at the phone, Bible, and cross. I pick up the cross, and put it on.
*****
Fiction
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