Mary
I don’t think I’ve ever been more furious. I could feel my blood boil as I stared at the filthy, smelly man standing before me. Suddenly, I was like a mother hen with her chicks, determined that nothing and no one would hurt my babies. Piper’s father didn’t deserve her. She was too precious and loving to be given to a man who only cared about where he’d get the money for his next bottle of booze. I knew right then I’d do whatever was necessary to keep Piper safe and Rachel and her together.
I waited until Piper had finished her bath so I could say goodnight before I left.
“Will you help Rachel tuck me in?” Piper asked.
I looked at Rachel and she nodded.
“Sure, I’d love to.”
I followed Rachel and Piper up the stairs. Piper climbed into bed and tucked Rachel Rose beside her. She folded her tiny hands and prayed.
Thank you, God, for Miss Mary and Rachel.
Thank you for Jacy.
Can you tell Mommy I said hello? I miss her. But I’m glad if she can’t be here I have Miss Mary and Rachel.
Amen.
Oh, almost forgot. I was bad today. I said shit. I’m sorry.
Amen.
I looked at Rachel and smiled. “Sweet dreams, Piper. I’ll see you later.” I hugged Piper and she hugged me back.
“Miss Mary,” Piper said. “I love you.”
I blinked back tears. “I love you, too, Piper.”
I told Rachel I’d see myself out and I hugged her as well before I left.
Driving home I couldn’t stop thinking about Piper’s dad. What was I going to do? I wondered if I could pay the guy to just disappear. Money was what he seemed to want most. I know it was wrong of me to think this, but I figured maybe if I gave him enough money he’d drink himself to death and disappear from Rachel and Piper’s lives for good. I had a lot I needed to talk to my attorney about in the morning.
The next morning, I called my attorney before heading into the hospital for my cuddler shift in the NICU.
“I’d like to sit down and discuss this in person,” Ralph said. “But I’ll tell you voluntary termination of parental rights isn’t easy.”
“But why? If he doesn’t want Piper, why can’t he just sign his rights away?”
“I know it’s sounds backward, but voluntary termination is often more difficult to accomplish than involuntary termination. The courts feel a child has a right to a parental relationship and to receive financial support and care from both parents.”
“Even if the parent is no good?”
“That’s where you might be able to win the case. Involuntary termination of rights usually stems from misconduct by the parent.”
“Well, I think that we could probably come up with a list of misconduct.”
“That would be our plan,” Ralph said. “Do you have time to talk about this more this afternoon? I have an opening at two.”
“Yes. I’ll come over after I finish my shift at the NICU.”
“I didn’t know you were volunteering there,” Ralph said.
“I just started. That’s another thing I want to talk to you about. What might I be able to do for these kids and parents.”
“Uh-oh. I sense that we’re about to embark on another Mary cause.”
I laughed. “You know me too well.”
I hung up the phone and headed over to the hospital. When I got there, the nurses were waiting for me.
“Mary, the shipment of special baby books arrived today,” Stacey said. “And the parents love them.”
I smiled. “I’m so glad. But how did you know I sent them? It was supposed to be anonymous.”
“It was,” Stacey said, “but we figured it had to be you.”
Laura held one up and paged through it. “I never saw a book that was specific to preemies. What a fantastic idea. I mean, of course their milestones are different. This is a great way for a parent to keep track of their progress.”
I hung up my coat and put my purse in a locker and followed Stacey into the nursery. Jax’s mother was there. “Hi, Emily,” I said. “How’s Jax today?”
She looked up at me and smiled. “Good. I wish I could stay but I’m glad you’re here now. I always feel so bad leaving him, but knowing that he’s in your arms helps me through the day.”
I nodded. “I understand. Did you get one of the baby books?”
Emily nodded. “Yes, thank you. That was so thoughtful of you.”
“Is there anything else you need for Jax?” I asked.
“Oh, no, Mary. You’ve done so much all ready.”
“Well, if there is anything you need, let me know. I might be able to help.”
I took Emily’s place holding Jax. She bent over and kissed him on the forehead. “Bye, pumpkin. Mommy will see you later.”
Emily sniffed and hugged another mother who was sitting nearby holding her baby. “See you tomorrow, Jill, she said. “Hope Paige is feeling better.”
I glanced around the NICU and realized just how special a bond the parents and staff had. They’d become a family, connected by shared experiences and feelings. What they’d expected would be one of the most enjoyable experiences in their lives had become a source of fear and unpredictability. They’d been thrust into a fragile world punctuated by bright lights and beeping alarms. A world filled with uncertainty and sometimes death. They had to learn new words and make unfamiliar decisions. And they had to trust others with their babies’ care.
I looked down at Jax asleep in my arms. I wished great things for this little boy, and it made me feel good that I might be making a difference in his life. Often we don’t know the people we touch. We just hope that we have.