A Mother for Michael

Lacey lays the piles of the day’s stuff upon the small entrance table in the front hallway and began to sift through the mail. In the mix of the usual junk bulk-rate mail and the inevitable bill or two was an envelope containing a curious return address. An envelope too big for a simple letter, but not thick enough to be an acceptance letter caught her attention. The condo manager must have signed for it, because it was sent certified letter. Scrolling through the words, she melted into the chair beside her. Lacey read and reread the words beaming from the page.

“It has come to our attention at this time you are the best candidate for this child’s placement.” What in the world? I have been chosen for a child! Seriously what kind of person would joke about something like this? These questions swirled in Lacey’s head as she searched for the envelope. The Law Offices of Chadwick and Merlot. She pondered the validity of this letter. Wait, Merlot, isn’t that the wine Kevin likes to drink? Then it hit her; this had to be the masterful work of Kevin Richardson and his practical jokes.

Last night they talked about how they had been together for almost a year now. Kevin even stated he couldn’t see a future without Lacey in it. Lacey actually thought he was leading up to a proposal right there at dinner, but alas she woke up this morning still without a ring on her left ring finger. Lacey decide to play along and she dialed the number attached, half expecting to hear Kevin’s deep masculine laughter on the other line, but no! A sweet soft women’s voice sang from the other end. Lacey explained the letter she had in her hands and expressed her interest in speaking with Mr. Chadwick or Mr. Merlot.

“Yes, Miss Franderman, my name is Kim, I am Mr. Merlot’s assistant.” Kim sounded nice and sincere as Lacey continued to listen, “I can set up a meeting for tomorrow if that works for you. How does 8:30 tomorrow morning sound?”

Still thinking Kevin was behind this whole thing, Lacey agreed. She figured it was his fancy way of having breakfast together tomorrow morning. In her heart of hearts Lacey continued to hope Kevin’s blue-eyes would greet her on bended knee with a princess cut diamond beautifully displayed in his outstretched hand tomorrow morning at 8:30. Lacey confirmed the meeting time and wrote down the address to the “law office”. Not wanting to ruin any surprise Kevin was working on, Lacey said nothing to him that night when they talked. Kevin was scheduled to come over, but called to say he was just plain exhausted and would love to reschedule. Lacey pretended like nothing had happened. She understood and they talked for a few moments as he readied for bed.

Lacey made her way to her car with a smile that brightened her whole face. She had applied just a touch of makeup to make sure she was not over doing, but looked extra nice today. After all, she wanted to wow him without revealing she suspected anything.

She pulled into the parking lot at the address given; her heart now beating out of her chest. Looking around, she saw no sign of Kevin’s car. She saw no restaurants or coffee houses for that matter. All she saw was a lot of brick lined buildings with nameplates. Walking towards the first hallway, she came upon a directory. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary; she looked for 219 or Chadwick and Merlot. Finding her location and her bearings, she proceeded towards the sign half way down the brick lined hallway on the right.

Her heart was pounding more and more with every step. The butterflies in the pit of her stomach were dancing around so violently they were doing little to help relieve her nerves. Lacey could not believe she was so nervous. After all, this is what she had been hoping for months now. She loved Kevin and felt in her heart that God had placed them together. She was ready to start the next chapter of their lives. Lacey loved Kevin and couldn’t wait to be engaged to him.

All the buildings looked the same. Snapping out of her daydream for a moment, she looked into one window after another and still the same desks and office furniture stared back. Was Kevin really going to purpose to her in some strange office building? Silently she hoped not. Moments later she arrived at 219, The Law Offices of Chadwick and Merlot. Lacey was once again lost in her own thoughts of Kevin on bended knee just beyond the door. With a smile radiating her face she took a deep breath and turned the handle. Lacey was stunned at the sight before her; Kevin was not before her. In fact Kevin was nowhere in sight. Kevin was not jumping out in surprise. He just simply was not there. Instead Lacey was greeted with nothing more than your typical office building and waiting area.

“Miss Franderman, I presume?” Lacey was startled back into reality and the present moment when a voice she slightly recognized rang through the silence.

Lacey looked forward and saw an older woman of small stature sitting before her. She moved forward and Lacey found herself looking down at the small frame standing before her extending a hand. The unnamed woman must have sensed Lacey’s bewilderment, for she stated her dwarfism as if to explain it all. Lacey apologized for her face and halted her words until the woman spoke again. Lacey’s daydreams were starting to feel like a newfound nightmare.