Chapter 40

Alma Gordon’s lawyer neighbor, Jonathan Martin, explained the adoption process. Mrs. Gordon had screwed up her courage and asked Frances Noonan to come down to be with her. Why she should feel so insecure around her old friend, she did not know. But she was glad Frances was there.

Jonathan had a blue-striped bow tie today. The process sounded straightforward. Chantrelle agrees to relinquish her rights to the child. Baby Owen stays with Mrs. Gordon for a trial period. Mrs. Gordon petitions the court for adoption. A private agency does a home study to make sure the placement is appropriate. The court gives a final adoption order.

Jonathan looked from Mrs. Gordon to Mrs. Noonan and shifted in his chair. He coughed. He twisted his bow tie with his fingers.

“There’s something you’re not telling us,” Frances Noonan said.

“There are some potential problems. I thought a lot about this since we last talked, and I think I may have misled you in my advice.”

“Oh, dear. Oh, dear,” said Mrs. Gordon.

“Jonathan, please, tell us everything,” said Mrs. Noonan. “Few problems are insurmountable.”

“There is the matter of the father. He has been a part of the child’s life, and he will have to sign the papers as well.”

“Oh, dear. Oh, dear,” said Mrs. Gordon.

“Oh, that is bad,” said Mrs. Noonan. “We don’t even know where he is. And the last time I saw him, he was threatening me. I don’t think he cares for us.”

“And he may not be so eager to give up his son. He could make this difficult if he chose to. He might do that just to spite the mother,” Jonathan said.

“Oh, dear. Oh, dear,” said Mrs. Gordon.

“But there’s one other thing,” said Jonathan.

“Something else?” said Mrs. Noonan.

“Yes. And I can’t see any easy way around this,” said Jonathan.

Mrs. Gordon sat back, ready, but Jonathan didn’t say anything.

“Perhaps you’d just better say it,” said Mrs. Noonan.

“It’s the home study,” said Jonathan. “They have to decide if your situation is suitable.”

“Why wouldn’t my situation be suitable?” said Mrs. Gordon. “I watched him for months.”

“And he blossomed when he was with her,” Mrs. Noonan said. “Alma was the best thing that happened to him.” Mrs. Noonan nodded at her and patted her hand.

“I know that, and you know that, but they might see it differently. They have to think about the future,” said Jonathan.

“I’m too old,” said Mrs. Gordon.

“No,” said Jonathan. “Yes. You’re too old. You’re seventy-five. And you’re a single woman. This child needs a parent to look after him until he reaches the age of majority. You will be over ninety then. Over ninety when he graduates from high school. I don’t think they’ll agree. I’m sorry.”

Mrs. Gordon was stunned. She had never considered this. Baby Owen would grow older, and she would grow older too. When he graduated from high school, she would be older than anyone she knew.

Even Mrs. Noonan was silent. Mrs. Gordon started to cry.

“I’m sorry,” Jonathan said. He stood and slowly walked out.