by Ward, Alice
“I do… it’s the strangest thing. I’ve never felt like this before. I can’t stand the thought of being away from you,” I confessed.
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to his chest. “We won’t be apart for long. After we come clean to our parents, we’ll never have to be apart again.”
We laid there and held each other in silence until Jackson announced that if we didn’t get up, he’d miss his appointment. We crawled out of bed; he pulled on his clothes from the day before while I opted for one of my new sundresses. Jackson loaded down one arm with my shopping bags and we left the room together. We walked to the elevator slowly, neither of us wanting our time together to end.
“So, am I taking you back to Lowell House?” Jackson asked. It was an obvious question and I knew he was trying to fill the awkward silence.
“Yes, I’m going to drop my bags off and run over to Mom’s. I need to find my passport. I know it’s over there somewhere, but Mom’s not exactly organized and I don’t want to wait until the last minute.”
Jackson nodded. The elevator doors opened and we stepped into the car. The moment the doors closed again, Jackson wrapped his free arm around me.
“After last night, I don’t know if I can go back to the charade,” he confessed. “Not even to keep up appearances. I can’t look at you without wanting to hold you, Kennedy.”
I looked into his clear blue eyes and melted at his touch. I wrapped my hands around his head, stood on my tip toes, and planted a soft, short kiss on his lips. “I know it’s hard, but it’s almost over. We can see each other as much as we want, we just have to keep a low profile until Mom and Jack get home. The moment they step off the jet, we’ll confess everything.”
“And then we can go to Fiji with nothing to hide,” Jackson finished. “You have no idea how much I’m looking forward to that.”
“Me too,” I agreed. The elevator slowed to a stop and I moved away from Jackson before the doors opened. “Back to reality,” I told him with a sad smile.
Jackson walked to the reception desk while I continued out to the valet station. I gave the attendant Jackson’s parking receipt and waited on the sidewalk as the man went to retrieve the car. Jackson appeared at my side just as his BMW rolled up to the curb. The attendant hopped out of the car, handed the keys off to Jackson, and opened the passenger door for me. Jackson tossed the shopping bags into the backseat before sliding behind the steering wheel.
The ride back to campus flew by in desperate silence. There was no need for either of us to explain what we were feeling. We were both dreading the moment we’d arrive back at Lowell House.
“Well… here we are,” Jackson said quietly when he finally pulled up to the curb. “I have an idea,” he told me in a much more cheerful tone. “Why don’t you help me with the kids’ tour? You could come as a rep for FLA. It would be fun.”
I narrowed my eyes and stared at him.
“Okay, maybe fun is an overstatement. But if you came along, it would at least be bearable.”
I shook my head. “It would be torture and you know it. And before the day is over, one of us will slip up and do something inappropriate. We can’t hang out on campus together, not where everyone else will see us. I don’t want Mom and Jack hearing about this from anyone but us.”
Jackson sighed. “I know, you’re right. I should be finished with the guys before dinner. How about I grab us a pizza and come back here?”
“That sounds perfect,” I agreed. I reached across the car and took his hand. “In my head, I’m giving you an incredibly passionate goodbye kiss right now.”
Jackson smiled. “You’ll have to act that out when we’re alone later.”
“Deal,” I agreed. I reached into the backseat and gathered my shopping bags.
“Do you need help with those?” Jackson asked.
I shook my head. “I can get them, I don’t want you to be late. Show the kids a good time and hurry back to me.”
“Yes ma’am,” Jackson agreed with a smile.
I climbed out of the car and made my way up the staircase to the front door. I stopped and turned back to Jackson. He blew me a kiss and pulled away from the curb.
CHAPTER 7
I unlocked the door to my room, dropped my bags on the floor, and collapsed on my bed. I laid my head on my pillow and felt something crunch beneath me. I reached back and retrieved a sheet of notebook paper.
“Kennedy, I hope you’re doing what I think you’re doing. Going running with Rory, will be back by lunch. Can’t wait to hear all about it, Lauren.”
I smiled, giddy at the thought of telling Lauren about my night with Jackson. I knew she’d be happy for me and I needed someone to share the excitement with. I put the note on the bedside table and glanced at our alarm clock. It was only nine-thirty, I had plenty of time to kill before Lauren got home. I got out of bed, changed into yoga pants and a fitted tank top, and set off for my mom’s apartment.
Summer had officially set in in Boston and I quickly realized why Lauren and Rory prefer to start their runs before sunup. I broke a sweat in a matter of minutes and was dripping wet by the time I got to Mom’s building. I drew a few strange looks from some of the other professors as I made my way through the building, but for the most part, everyone ignored me. I got to Mom’s fourth floor unit without having to speak to anyone.
I turned my key in the lock and pushed open the door. I stepped into the living area and smiled to myself.
It’s nice to know that some things never change. This place is just as cluttered as it’s always been.
Mom has always been a textbook example of someone with an organized mind and a cluttered existence. Books and journals were stacked haphazardly on the coffee table while a clean load of laundry spilled off of the love seat. The built-in bookshelves also held layers of books and magazines as well as artifacts Mom had gathered during her European travels. The chaos of the room was comforting and reminded me of my childhood.
Earlier in the week Mom had assured me that she knew exactly where to find our passports, but I knew her well enough to have my doubts. I made my way to the makeshift office set up in Mom’s bedroom.
Mom’s bed was unmade, her desk scattered with papers and envelopes. I took a seat in her well-worn desk chair and started rifling through drawers. The first three I searched yielded nothing but university paperwork and what appeared to be seventeen years’ worth of tax records. I opened the deep drawer on the bottom left and hoped for the best.
The drawer was stacked with thick manila envelopes. I pulled them out one at a time and examined their labels. The first was marked “CA Transcripts”, followed by “K. Vaccination Records”, “K. Elementary”, and “K. High School”. Finally, I came across “Birth Certificates, Insurance, Passports.” I opened the envelope and turned it upside down on the desk. To my relief, two small, navy blue booklets fell out. I tucked the passports into my purse and stuffed the other records back into the envelope. I put everything back in the drawer and was just about to leave when a return address label caught my eye.
“Shankle, Harris, & Parker, Attorneys at Law.”
That must be the prenup Jackson mentioned. Of course, Jack will expect Mom to sign one. If I were his lawyer, I’d insist on it. But I can’t help, but feel a little insulted for Mom. I wonder how tight it is…
I knew that I shouldn’t open the envelope. What Mom and Jack worked out between themselves and their lawyers was none of my business. But curiosity got the better of me. I lifted the thick envelope from the desk, unfastened the clasps, and pulled out the thick stack of paperwork. Confusion filled me as I read the cover letter.
May 16, 2015
Ms. Gloria Nightingale and Mr. Jackson Montgomery, II,
Enclosed is the adoption information you requested, per last week’s meeting. As soon as the appropriate paperwork is filed and your marriage is official, we can get started on submitting the proper requests. Please know that we are here to assist you in each ste
p of this exciting and intensive process. Feel free to call with any questions.
My Regards,
Lloyd Parker
(dictated not read)
Adoption!?
But Mom and Jack are both in their fifties! How could they possibly be thinking about adopting a baby? Maybe they’re thinking of adopting an older child?! This doesn’t make any sense!
I didn’t need to see anymore. I shoved the paperwork back in the envelope and tossed it back onto the desk. I couldn’t get out of the apartment fast enough.
***
“Kennedy, are you okay?” Lauren asked as I stumbled into our room. “You’re soaked and you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Mom’s… place,” I tried to explain through heavy breaths. “Just there… ran all the way home.” I collapsed onto the vanity stool.
Lauren jumped up from her bed, grabbed a cold bottle of water from the fridge, and tossed it to me. I drank half of it in one gulp.
“Slow down, Kennedy, and tell me what happened,” Lauren instructed patiently. “You were at your mom’s, is she okay?”
I nodded, thankful that I’d finally caught my breath. “She and Jack are in L.A. Jackson and I spent all of yesterday planning and shopping for the trip. I went by her place this morning to make sure I could find my passport… I can’t believe they’re doing this.”
“Doing what? Staying in L.A.?” Lauren asked, her eyebrows drawn together as she attempted to process my story.
“No… I had to search Mom’s desk for the passports. I found a manila envelope stamped with the return address of a law firm. I figured it was the prenup and I got curious. The package was from an adoption attorney.”
“Jack and Gloria are adopting a baby?” Lauren asked in disbelief. “Why would they do that? Jackson says his dad doesn’t like to stay in one place very long and I can’t imagine your Mom wanting to be saddled down with a baby at her age. Maybe you misunderstood what you read,” she suggested, a hopeful look on her face.
“No, it was clear as day. They may not be adopting a newborn, but they’re definitely planning on adding to the family. And just when it looked like Jackson and I might really have a chance together.”
Lauren’s eyes narrowed and the corners of her mouth turned up in an “I told you so” smile. “You hooked up with him again, didn’t you?”
I nodded and couldn’t stop the silly grin from spilling across my face. “We spent all day together and it was wonderful. We Skyped with one of the coordinators in Fiji and planned our entire vacation. Then we went to my dress fitting and shopped for a whole new vacation wardrobe. After that, we ended up at The Fairview Hotel.”
“Was it as good as last time?” Lauren asked, leaning forward, waiting for details.
“It was even better,” I confessed. “We know each other so much better now. And we were at the hotel for hours before anything happened. I knew before Jackson even picked me up yesterday that we’d end up together before sundown. I convinced myself that our parents would understand and what everyone else thinks about it shouldn’t matter. But now, there’s a new little brother or sister on the way. Can you imagine how weird Jackson and I being together would be for them?”
“Have you told Jackson about the letter?”
I shook my head and downed the rest of my water. “No, he’s giving a tour of the campus to a couple of freshman. He’s supposed to come over when he’s finished.”
“That’s right, Rory was planning on meeting up with them over lunch. We were going to see if you and Jackson wanted to grab dinner together tonight. When neither of you came home last night, we put two and two together and realized that you must have finally hooked up. So what do you say? I’m sure that this whole situation will seem a lot less complicated after a good meal and a few glasses of wine.”
“I can’t, Lauren, Not tonight,” I insisted. “I need to talk to Jackson. Last night, I promised we could come clean with our parents as soon as they get home from L.A. But now I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. I don’t know why Mom and Jack have to keep throwing obstacles in our path.”
“To be fair, Kennedy, they don’t know that they’re complicating things. I really think you should still tell them as soon as they get home.”
“I’ll talk to Jackson about it and see what he thinks we should do,” I told her.
I was still in shock that Mom and Jack were looking into adoption. But I knew that if Mom had her heart set on it, nothing would stop her. I thought about how unconventional my childhood had been and realized that Mom probably wanted another kid because she’d be able to do it right this time. My new brother or sister would have two parents who loved each other and lived in the same house. Jackson and I being together would ruin the picture perfect family.
I took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and stood up. “I’m going to take a shower,” I announced. “I have a tutoring session at one. After that, I’m going to take a nap before Jackson comes over. Could you disappear around dinner time?”
“Sure, I’m supposed to meet Rory anyway,” Lauren agreed. She settled back down on her bed. “We did eight miles this morning, I’m going to take a nap.”
“I’ll try not to wake you while I’m getting ready,” I promised.
“Thanks,” she yawned. “Kennedy… can I give you some unsolicited advice?”
“Sure,” I replied. I braced myself for the worst.
“I know you don’t want to throw a wrench in your mom’s happy ending. And I admire how loyal you are to her. But it’s not your job to take care of Gloria. It’s her job to take care of you. Don’t put her happiness before your own. It isn’t healthy and it’s not what she’d want. Just be honest about your feelings for Jackson and then the four of you can figure out how to make everything work.”
“I’ll think about it, Lauren. I promise.” I grabbed my shower caddy and a change of clothes and set off for the bathroom. I had to admit, Lauren made a great point.
***
“Good evening sleepyhead,” Jackson teased as he stepped into the room. He had a pizza box in his hand and a content smile on his face. I blushed as I looked down at my plaid pajama pants and oversized t-shirt. When I’d arrived home from my tutoring session, I’d changed into pajamas to take a nap. I had every intention of changing into something cute before Jackson came over, but I’d overslept.
“You look beautiful,” Jackson assured me. He bent down and kissed the top of my head. “Where should I put this?”
“Just sit it on top of the fridge,” I instructed. “There’s a six pack in there. Will you toss me one? And feel free to help yourself.”
“You snuck alcohol on campus?” Jackson asked as he grabbed two Bud Light longnecks. His demeanor changed, and he became stiff and reserved.
“You always have alcohol at the frat house,” I reminded him.
“I know… it just doesn’t seem like you, that’s all. Is everything all right, Kennedy?”
I popped off my bottle cap and took a sip of the beer as I walked to my bed. “You’d better sit down,” I told Jackson, patting the mattress. He sat down beside me while I continued. “I have to tell you something. I went to my mom’s apartment today…”
“Let me guess, you couldn’t find the passports? I’m sure we can work our way around that. Dad has plenty of connections, I’m sure we can get replacements expedited.”
“No Jackson, I found the passports. I found something else too. Do you know the names of your family’s attorneys?”
“Of course, Granddad’s best friend has a huge firm in Boston. His name is Laurence Spencer, his firm is Spencer, Spencer, and Martin… why do you ask?”
I took another drink of the beer and steeled my nerves. I had no idea how Jackson would react to the idea of our parents adopting another child.
“I found an envelope on Mom’s desk from Shankle, Harris, and Parker.”
Jackson looked confused. “I’ve never heard of them.” He shifted his weight from side to side an
d I knew he was getting nervous. “What’s going on, Kennedy?”
I turned the bottle up and didn’t stop until it was empty.
“You’re making me nervous. Could you please stop drinking and explain why you’re so upset?” Jackson said, and I could tell he was trying to be patient.
“I’m sorry, it’s just… I assumed that it was a prenup agreement from your dad’s attorney. I was curious about the details, so I opened it. Shankle, Harris, and Parker is an adoption firm, Jackson.”
His face went pale. “You mean… our parents… are adopting a kid?” He chugged the rest of his beer and I fetched us fresh bottles.
“There was a big stack of paperwork. I only read the cover letter, but it was pretty clear what’s going on. The lawyer said that as soon as they’re officially married, they can start filing the necessary petitions. And he promised to be there at every step of the ‘exciting and intense process’.”
“This doesn’t make any sense… our parents are too old to start raising kids again,” Jackson argued. “Are you sure you read the letter right?”
“I’m positive. They met with Parker last week. And I googled the firm, they specialize in adoption. That’s all they handle.”
“Shit,” Jackson whispered. He pulled out his phone and punched at the screen. “You’re right. Shankle, Harris, and Parker, specializing in foreign and domestic adoption law. Let us help you complete your family,” he read.
“Like I said, I didn’t read through the packet. I don’t know if they’re adopting a baby or an older kid. For all I know, they’ve already picked someone out and they’re taking steps to make it official.”
Jackson’s eyes widened. “This would explain why they pushed up the wedding date. If they’re trying to adopt, they’d want to make the marriage official as soon as possible.”
“Shit, I didn’t even think about that. I bet you’re right. How do you feel about this, Jackson, honestly?”
I climbed off of the bed and took another long sip of beer while I fetched a slice of pizza. The cheese was still hot and oozy and the pepperonis were almost burnt, just the way I like them. I returned to my seat next to Jackson and took a huge bite.
