Pyro

“Kidnapping?” Jackson asked.

“We willingly put our children up for adoption, Janelle,” I said.

“I understand that, but there is something wrong with that hospital,” Janelle said. “I believe that you would have been told that all three had died if you hadn’t put the other two up for adoption.”

“What do you mean?” Kendra asked.

“I mean that there have been more infant “deaths” at that hospital than another I’ve worked at in my entire adult life. There have been more adoptions from than any other as well.”

“What can we do?”

“Nothing. You need to let them go.”

I looked at her. “I can’t. I made a mistake.”

“You said it was ten years ago, right?”

“Yes.”

“Why would you take them away from the only home they’ve ever known?”

“They are my children!”

“Not legally. You have no claim on them. Had it been within 30 days; yes, you could have changed your mind. It’s been ten years. Those little girls have mothers that raised them. Fathers that raised them. They have grandparents and aunts and uncles that have been with them. Loved them.”

“I don’t care!”

Jackson came and sat next to me. Kendra sat on the other side. Each of them placed an arm around me.

“Hailey, you would be ruining their lives. They don’t know you.”

I started crying. “I…”

* * *

She had left and I called an attorney.

“Sheetz and Landers, how may I help you?” the receptionist asked.

“Yes,” I said. “I am thinking of suing a hospital. I’d like to know who I can speak with to see if I have a case. Maybe an adoption agency as well.”

“Of course. Your name?”

“Hailey Jonston.”

“Please hold.”

Kendra looked at me. “Are you sure?” she asked.

“I don’t know if I’m going to pursue it, but I want to know if I have that option.”

“This isn’t a good idea,” Jackson said.

I looked at him. “Your opinion or do you know something?”

“Opinion.”

“Then it’s noted.”

“James Landers,” the male voice said. “How may I help?”

“My name is Hailey. Ten years ago, I gave birth to triplets and was told that one of them had died. I agreed to put only two of them up for adoption, which I only did because the third one had died. I recently found out that the third hadn’t died.”

“Which hospital?”

I told him.

“Don’t pursue this. No one will help you. Don’t call here again. I will be calling every attorney that I know in the area that you may call. Trust me, don’t.”

“But…”

“Goodbye, Ms. Jonston. I’m very sorry.”

He hung up the phone and I could only stare at it.

“What did he say?” Jackson asked.

“They’re gone. They’re lost to us.”

“What do you mean?”

I looked at them both with haunted eyes. “He said no one will take the case. He said to leave it alone.”