Unexpected Guest

Someone was knocking at the door. I wasn't expecting anyone. I ran from the kitchen to investigate. Veering out the peephole, I saw a handsome young man standing there with flowers. He looked harmless enough, so I opened the door and I asked, "May I help you?"

"Jane? Jane Saunders?" he asked while smiling and handing me the flowers.

"Yes...what is this about?" I was choking on the words that came out of my mouth, as I noticed he had an eerie familiarity about him. I wasn't sure why my stomach was churning. Instinct, I suppose.

The young man looked nervous. He said, "I'm your son Josh. May I come in?"

The world grew black, and the next few minutes were a haze. I passed out on the floor. Next I remember Josh holding a bag of frozen peas on my head. He spoke, "I'm glad you are okay, I thought I may have to call 9-1-1." I was just glad he found the kitchen.

He helped me to the couch in the living room, and now it was time to talk. Josh started. "I'm twenty-eight and taking the bar exam in a year. I've lived in South Carolina all this time, with my parents who are both lawyers. I never yearned for anything, and had it good. I have one brother. My mother became sick a year ago. When it was time to find her a kidney transplant, I was not a match. Finally she told me I was adopted and here I am. I was upset with them for not telling me. What if I would never have known, or had a chance to meet you? So when I found you were in Vermont, I drove all this way just to find you. I was worried you not be home. I just had to ask you, why you gave me up?"

Tears were running down my face. It was at this moment the words just flowed out of my mouth. "I was young and I was very much in love with my boyfriend, and nothing could keep us apart. I ended up getting pregnant at fourteen, and went to my mother for help. Her answer was to force me to have an abortion as it would be a disgrace to my family. She arranged a clinic for me to go to. I refused and ran away. I ended up three states over and ran out of money. I called my boyfriend's parents for help. There was no way I was going to have an abortion."

"To make a long story short, his parents talked to mine, and everyone agreed that they would arrange for an adoption agency to take you from me. I carried you for eight months, fourteen days, but then one night felt something go terribly wrong. I was rushed to the hospital and there were complications. You came early, and although you were fine, I would never be able to have any more children. It was all worth it for the two minutes that I saw you. I remember you being born, I heard you crying, and I reached out and touched your finger. You looked at me and I knew what love was. They took you from me so fast, I didn't even hold you. Just like that, you were gone. I was only fourteen and everyone was making choices for me. Your father and I cried that night for hours. We found some solace knowing you would go to a very good family. I moved far from South Carolina so I was not tempted to find you and disrupt your life. Far from everyone who controlled my life and my decisions. I never thought this day would come, but I am so glad you are here."

Josh was now crying. He said, "I understand and I knew it must have been something like that. I feel relieved. I do have some more questions. On the birth certificate from the adoption agency, it did not list my father's name, and on the papers it your parents signed as custodians. I think this was because you were a minor. Can you tell me anything about my father or who he was?"

Just then, I heard my husband's car pull up in the driveway. I smiled at Josh and said, "I sure can." I excused myself to open the door and greet my husband with a hug and kiss. He walked in Josh and he looked at each other. I said, "Jeff, this is your son Josh, he came all the way from South Carolina to find us. I think it's safe to say he'll be staying for supper."