“Are you serious right now?” I’m damn near left speechless, hearing this so called plan they had.
Micah’s coming unglued, the moans escaping his throat are more of a growl. “How the hell could you sell my kid and never tell Elsa any of it? You treated her so badly, yet you took the money? What kind of sick people do that?”
“Listen here boy,” My dad scowls.
“Don’t you boy me, you bastard.” Micah jumps to his feet. “You're lucky I don’t haul off and kick your ass, old man.”
“Stop! I can’t have you fighting. Tell me the rest. I want to know it all.” I’m all but yanking Micah to sit back down. If forced to, I’ll sit on his lap to keep him from mauling my dad. Well at least until I hear the rest of their story.
Over the next hour, we sat and listened to my parents explain the why’s and how’s of what took place. It was more than a shock when my mom found out Carla was using Taylor Security for her services. She knew right then and there I was going to find out the truth. The hardest part was listening to the way Carla had taken the news that the girl working for Taylor Securities was actually her child’s birth mother.
Carla took the news hard only because while she didn’t see me as a threat to her plans to seduce Micah, her baby was my and Micah’s biological child. That devastated her… and her wild fantasies.
“Are you kidding me MOM! Did you even stick up for me in your sweet talks with Carla-I-want-to-sink-my-teeth-into-Micah-Taylor? He’s with ME! And she has MY SON! Where is your loyalty to me?”
“I don’t know Elsa, I’m just telling you the truth.” Oh finally, it’s only five years too late but hey, who’s counting?
Biting my lower lip, I shake my head in disbelief. “I held him you know?” No idea why I care if she knows this, but GOD ALMIGHTY maybe if I can find a way to break into her icy cold heart, she might begin to understand how I’m feeling.
“What?” All the blood drains from her face.
“Yeah Micah held him, too. He took a liking to him during her install.” I’m taken aback, realizing we both held our son, but never had any idea. No words can describe the emotions running through my body.
“We held him El, we held our son.” As if he’s just now realizing this, his hand trembles against my shoulder.
Oh Micah. There are no words to even begin to describe how epic a moment we had and never knew it. I simply say, “I…know.”
Tears and sobs overtake my weary body, I’m a mess, and once again, I’m totally broken. Lost and hurt at the hands of my parents. Just when I thought they could never top how much they’ve hurt me…they do again.
“Did you ever file it legally?” My overactive mind takes over, wondering just how legal this adoption actually is.
“No,” my mom says, shaking her head. “We did it under the table but did write up a hand written contract. We thought it would work.”
“Wow, you people disgust me. Trust me when I tell you that Elsa will no longer have anything to do with you.” He’s standing gathering his coat at the same time pulling me, to get the hell out of here. I’m sure he’s already thought of ten different ways to take out my parents, but they’re not worth it.
“Now wait…” My dad is standing pointing his finger.
“He’s right, I’m done.”
I have no fight left in me. Going on six years with my parents of living this elaborate lie, is just too much of a pill to swallow. They have damaged me for the last time.
Micah storms out the front door with his phone in his hand. I’m sure he’s calling his dad. With the connections he has, he will know what to do.
“I’m taking the letters and photos, you don’t deserve them.” There is no way I’m leaving them with any of these things. This makeshift contract is the only thing I have that this farce of an adoption even exists.
“Wait…that’s my grandso…” My mother starts to say.
“Don’t you even finish that sentence! He’s nothing to you just like I’m nothing to you. He’s mine, he always was mine.” I spit out every word with venom.
Micah comes barreling back in the house, pulling at me and this time, making sure I leave this God forsaking house for good. I stayed back, making sure to grab all of the envelopes as Micah went out with his phone. On the way out the door, Micah makes it known his parents would be in contact. He also told them to never contact me again. If they ever did, it would not be pretty, he’d make sure of it.
TWO WEEKS HAD passed since that day in my parent’s living room. Tonight we’re at Micah’s parents’ house for a family meeting. Matt and Tyler were already here by the time we showed up. A short time later the Taylor’s lawyer, Mr. Hamilton, showed up. I’m not sure if I’m more elated or scared, watching his less than animated reactions. He gives nothing away, a mild eyebrow raise here and there, all the while intently taking notes.
I had to share the whole story with the many letters and pictures I took from my parents. Matt takes it pretty hard, knowing this is his nephew. Skylar, Micah’s mom, has been crying, but shows excitement knowing we’ve actually found him.
I kept quiet most of the night, just looking at Michael’s pictures. His changes from infant to toddler were incredible to see. I’m thanking my lucky stars I even get the chance to see them at all. The resemblance to Micah was unbelievable. I can’t believe I didn’t see it that night I held him. When he opened his eyes, the familiar baby blues should have been my first clue. Who knew?
After that night, we’ve all tried to live our lives as normal as possible. The Taylor’s lawyer told us not to contact the Mitchell’s ourselves, to let his firm handle things going forward. Knowing the whole adoption was not legal in the eyes of the law, he said he might be able to scare them into handing him back to us with no issues. It was a long shot, but we were willing to do whatever was necessary to get Michael back.
I no longer held onto the idea that I would just let him be with his adopted family. Knowing all the facts now, they don’t deserve him. I’ve never forgotten him, and now I won’t stop fighting for him.
It happens that luck may be on our side. Mr. Hamilton, called, wanting to schedule an appointment for us to come talk with him about the progress he has made since we last spoke. Wednesday after work, Matt, Micah and I met his parents at Mr. Hamilton’s office.
Sitting at a long conference table, another gentleman, Mr. Reid, was also present. He explained he was working alongside Mr. Hamilton on what he called “a most sensitive case.” Micah holds my hand in his as we sit quietly, his dad’s taking the driver’s seat, and asking the tough questions.
“We have several things in our favor with regards to the ‘adoption’ that took place.” Mr. Hamilton flips through his stack of papers. Pushing his glasses higher up on his nose, as he begins to walk us through all he has learned.
From what I’ve seen so far, Micah’s mom, Skylar was a strong woman who loved her family fiercely. I see this first hand as tears of hope fill her eyes, her once look of loss when we spoke that one night is now edging on hope. Now that there is a possibility that she may get to see her only grandson grow up. Looking at her, I get a real look how a mother should act, loving her family and stopping at nothing to get what her family needs and wants.
Once again, I can’t believe all of this pain and suffering is at the hands of my mother and father. The old saying you can pick your friends but you can’t choose your family? Pretty much.
Lost in my thoughts, I don’t realize I’m crying. My face shows no emotion. I should be listening, but I just can’t find it in me to concentrate. When I happen to look up, I realize, all eyes are centered on me.