Chapter 28 Chapter Twenty Eight
One day a canyon near my house caught fire.If the fire spreads beyond the canyon, dozens of nearby houses will be destroyed.
A fire official came to our house and said, "The fire is moving fast, start evacuating."
Joya quickly packed up what she needed.Mary was only five years old at the time, and I took her by the hand and ran her to the car.I had to decide quickly what else I needed to take.The study has all my awards, shelves full of first editions, research papers, sportswear, and my beloved golf clubs.But there's something more important than that.
I rushed back to the house, grabbed a pen and some pads.You can actually buy these things at any small grocery store, but I just instinctively thought at the time that we might have to go to a hotel for a few weeks, and I couldn't let my writing stop.That's all I got out of the house.
"I'm ready."
Fortunately, the fire department brought the fire under control in time, and our house was safe and sound.
There was a familiar voice on the other end of the line: "Those critics are crazy. I read the script of Candlelight in Rome and loved it." It was Don Hartman. "Thank you, Don, thank you for your kindness." I didn't show any regrets. "I've got a movie I'd like you to write. It's called The Finder. It's starring Dean Martin and Shirley MacLaine, and Hal Wallis is producing. We've got A pretty good script, but it has to be adapted from the two leading actors." "I would love to work with Dean." "Okay. When can we start?" "Don, I'm afraid not right now. I need about fifteen minutes." He smiled. "We'll get in touch with your agent." It's been great to be back at Paramount, it's given me so many great memories.There are also a lot of familiar faces here - from producers, directors, screenwriters to secretaries.I feel like coming home. I made an appointment with Hal Wallis.We've met socially a few times, but we've never worked together.He is the producer of many famous films such as "Bad Boy", "The Rainmaker", "Runaway", "The Rose Tattoo" and many others.Hal was short, stocky and serious.Now in his seventies he is more alive than ever. When I walked into his office, he got up and greeted me and said, "I asked you to write the script because I think it fits your style." "I want to get to work right away." We sat down to discuss the film, and he gave me his perspective.As I was leaving, he said, "By the way, I've seen Candlelight in Rome, and it's a great script." It's too late for that now, Hal. "Thank you." We got to work right away. The original script was very good, written by Edmund Biroyne and Maurice Richlin, but Don was right.The script had to be adapted to suit Dean and Shirley better, they both have strong personalities and it would have been easy to adapt. One night, when I came home from work, Joya was waiting for me with a large bouquet of flowers, her face was beaming.
"Happy Father's Day." I looked at her curiously, "It's not today..." Then I immediately recalled it.I opened my arms and took her in my arms. She asked me, "Do you want a girl or a boy?" "A man and a woman." "Of course it's easy for you to say."
I hugged her tighter. "It's all right, honey. I just hope the baby is as good as Mary." Mary was five years old then.How would she feel about having a brother or sister soon? "Are you going to tell Mary or shall I?" "I have told her." "How did she react?" "Well, she said she was very happy, but after a few minutes, I saw her counting the steps from our room to hers, and from our room to the baby's room." I couldn't help but laugh, "She must be a good sister. What's the name of the child?" "If it's a girl, it's Alexandra." "A beautiful name. If it's a boy, it should be Alexander. The name means defender of mankind." Joya smiled slightly, "Very good." We stayed up all night talking about raising Mary and Joa's unborn baby.The next morning, I was exhausted, but very sweet inside, unspeakably sweet.
The adaptation of the script of "Looking for Fangs" went very smoothly.I have frequent discussions with Hal Wallis and his insights are always helpful.The set for the film had been set up, and the director had been found, Joseph Anthony. Cliff Robertson and Charles Ruggles were added to the cast list.I've worked with Dean before, Shirley MacLean didn't know.All I know is that she is very talented and that she believes she has had many past lives, which is probably true.What I saw was her in this life, a vibrant redhead. "Sidney Shelton," she said, looking me over carefully, "Shirley MacLean. Nice to meet you, Sydney." I doubt very much that we might have met in any other life. Dean grinned when he saw me, "You haven't had enough of me, have you?" "Never." Dean hasn't changed at all, he's still so easy-going and easy to get along with, and he hasn't changed at all because of his superstar status. After Dean and Jerry separated, Jerry made forty more films and worked hard to raise money to help children with muscular dystrophy.Dean also went on to make films and also starred in a very successful television series. Television is a perfect fit for Dean's lifestyle.His contract with the TV station stipulates that he does not need to rehearse.Every time when shooting, he enters the studio, starts shooting immediately, and leaves immediately after shooting.The episodes that were filmed turned out to be very good.
Joya and I have a banquet at home, and we will also be invited by others.Otto especially liked to use his friends, which disgusted me, but I went to the other extreme and unintentionally hurt some very good people.Eddie Lasker is the heir to the legendary Lord Thomas advertising agency and his beautiful wife Jane Greer is a successful actress.They often invite us to his house, and their banquets are always very luxurious.Both Joya and I enjoyed dealing with them. One night, Eddie said, "We're so happy together, why don't we get together regularly once a week?" I thought to myself: I don't have that much money, so it's impossible to be as luxurious as they are, or I'll take advantage of others?So I said, "Eddie, let's see each other." I could see the hurt look on his face. We also got on very well with Arthur Hornblower and Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds.Arthur Hornblower was a successful producer. One day Arthur said, "I've got a picture, I think you'll like it." He's such a successful business that I do need work, but I don't want to take advantage of him.So I said, "Arthur, let's just stay on as friends." In this way, I lost a friend.
Shortly after the filming of "The Seeker" was completed, Qiao Ya went into labor.Our second baby is on the way.This time I was fully prepared.I figured out exactly where the hospital was, and we went there early so we didn't end up in a rush.We opened up a ward in the hospital and the only thing to do now was wait for the baby to arrive - would it be a son or a daughter?Really irrelevant. Our obstetrician, Dr. Blake Watson, has also arrived at the hospital. At one o'clock in the morning, Alexandra came into the world.I was waiting outside the delivery room when Dr. Watson and the two nurses hurried out. Dr. Watson was holding a baby in his arms, wrapped in a blanket. "Doctor, how are you?..." He rushed past me.I started to panic.After a while, Joya was pushed out of the delivery room.She was very pale. She asked me, "Is everything okay?" I held her hand, "It's all good. I'll see you in the ward in a few minutes." I watched her be pushed down the corridor, and then hurried to Dr. Watson. As I passed the ICU, I saw Dr. Watson through the glass.He and two other doctors were standing in front of a crib, discussing something intensely.My heart started beating wildly.I resisted the idea of rushing in and waited outside.Dr. Watson looked up and saw me, and he said something to the other two doctors, and they all looked back at me.I find it hard to even breathe.Then Dr. Watson came out. I asked him, "What's going on? Is there a—what's the problem?" I was at a loss for words. "Bad news, I'm afraid, Mr. Shelton." "The child died?" "No, but..." he said awkwardly, "your child has spina bifida." I wanted to reach out and shake him, "What is this?... Please explain clearly." "Spina bifida is a birth defect. In early pregnancy, the baby's spine does not close properly. After the baby is born, there is only a thin membrane over the spine, and the spinal cord is directly exposed. This is the most..." "Oh my God, fix the spine!" I was hysterical. "It's not that simple. An expert is needed..." "Then get an expert right away. Do you understand? Right now! Get an expert now!" I yelled at him, completely out of control. He looked at me, then nodded, and walked away quickly. I have to break the news to Joya.This was probably the most difficult moment of my life. I walked into the ward and she looked at me, "What happened?" I tried to reassure her, "It's going to be all right. Alexandra has—has a birth defect, but the medical specialists will be here soon. It's going to be all right." At four o'clock in the morning, two doctors came, and Dr. Watson took them into the infant intensive care unit.I stood outside for a while, staring into their faces, hoping that if they could just nod or smile, that would be some sort of comfort.In the end, I couldn't stand it anymore.I went back to Joya's ward.The two of us sat silently waiting for the news. Half an hour later, Dr. Watson came.He looked at Joya and me, and said softly: "Two most authoritative experts in the treatment of spina bifida have examined your child, and they all think that the chance of her surviving is very small. Even if she can survive, she may suffer from cerebral palsy." Fluids." Every word he uttered felt like a sledgehammer. "Bowel and bladder complications can also occur. Spina bifida is a birth defect that can lead to permanent disability." I said, "But there is still hope for her to survive?" "Yes, but..." "Then let's take her home, we will find a nanny to take care of her 24 hours a day, all the equipment..." "Mr. Shelton, this is not going to work. She must be sent to a care center for such problems. We recommend that you send her to a care center near Parmena, who are equipped to care for such patients. " Joya and I looked at each other, and Joya said, "Then we can go see her now." "Better not to go." We couldn't recover for a long time, "Then what do you mean..." "She is dying. It's a pity. The only thing you can do right now is pray for her." How do you pray for a child who is about to die?
I scoured every medical journal I could find for articles on spina bifida.The result is very pessimistic.Mary asked us where Alexandra was and we had to tell her the baby was sick and couldn't go home right away. I can no longer sleep peacefully.I had this vision haunting my mind: Alexandra lying in pain in a cradle in a strange place, with no one to hold her and no one to love her.Several times I woke up in the middle of the night to find Joya crying alone in the empty nursery.But there is still hope.Children with spina bifida have also been documented as adults.Alexandra needs special care, which we can actually do ourselves, and we can do what we can.Dr. Watson was wrong.Medical miracles happen every day. Every time I see an article saying that there is a new cure for a terminal disease, I show the article to Joya, "Look, this drug was not on the market yesterday, but now it can save thousands of lives gone." Joya also looks for articles about groundbreaking discoveries in medicine. "This article says new scientific discoveries are about to change the entire face of medicine. There's no reason why we can't find a cure for our babies." "Of course there is no reason. She has our genes in her body, and she must be strong enough to survive. Now all she has to do is hold on for a while." I hesitated, "I think we should bring her home." Tears glistened in Joya's eyes, "I think so too." "I'll call Dr. Watson early tomorrow morning." I called Dr. Watson's office: "Dr. Watson, I want to talk to you about Alexandra. Joya and I want to..." "I was just about to call you, Mr. Sheldon. Alexandra died in the middle of the night last night."
If there is hell in this world, then this hell exists in the hearts of parents who have lost their beloved son.Our grief is indescribable, a grief that can never be erased.How much we wanted to see Alexandra and Mary thrive under our loving care and have a wonderful, happy life, and that vision lingered in our minds. But Alexandra will never be able to enjoy the sunset, wander in the beautiful park, see the birds in the sky, feel the warm summer breeze, taste the delicious ice cream cone, You can't watch movies, you can't wear nice clothes, you can't drive.She will never experience the joy of love, nor beget children.These will never be possible. It is generally accepted that the pain will naturally fade over time.But our pain is getting stronger and stronger.Our lives seem to have come to a standstill.Now that our only consolation is Mary, Joa and I find ourselves ludicrously overprotective of our children. One day, I asked Joya, "How about we adopt a child?" "Not yet." A few days later, she said to me, "Maybe we should adopt a child. Mary should have a brother or sister." We'll discuss this with Dr. Watson.A college student who was about to graduate just approached him.This girl is about to have a baby, but she broke up with her boyfriend, so she wants to find someone to adopt her child. Dr. Watson said: "The mother of the child is very intelligent, attractive and from a good family. I think this is the most suitable candidate." I had a family meeting with Joya and my six-year-old daughter.We said to Mary, "You are casting the casting vote. Do you want a brother or sister?" She thought for a while and said, "The baby won't die, right?" Joya and I looked at each other, and I said, "I won't die." She nodded, "Okay then." That's it. I made all the financial arrangements. One morning three weeks later, Dr. Watson called: "You have a healthy daughter." We named her Elizabeth April, and it couldn't have been more fitting for her.The baby is beautiful and healthy with brown eyes.I think she has a smile that captivates all living beings, but Joya said it was just my own imagination. It was finally possible to bring Elizabeth April home, and our lives were back on track.Joya and I started planning Elizabeth's future.From our point of view, Elizabeth April is our own flesh and blood, a part of our being.We want to send her to the best schools and let her choose her favorite career freely.We are delighted to see that Mary also cares for her.We put on Elizabeth all the pretty little dresses we had bought for Alexandra.We bought her paints and palettes, maybe she has artistic talent.She will be given piano lessons in the future. As the months passed, it was clear that Elizabeth April was very fond of her older sister, too.Mary giggled every time she walked over to her cradle.Joya and I made the right choice.They will love each other and grow together. Elizabeth April will be six months old in a week.Dr. Watson called. I said, "Doctor, your choice is wise. This is the happiest baby I have ever seen. Our gratitude is beyond words." After a long silence, he said, "Mr. Sheldon, the baby's mother just called and she wants to get her baby back." My blood froze, "What the hell are you talking about? We adopted Elizabeth, April..." "Unfortunately, under state law, a mother who puts her child up for adoption can change her mind within the first six months of the child's life. The mother and father decide to marry and raise the child themselves." I told Joya the news, her face was pale, I thought she was going to faint, "They—they can't take our children away." But they can. The next day, Elizabeth April was carried away.Joya and I couldn't believe it was real. "As long as she's alive, it's fine," Mary said, choking with tears. I can't remember how we survived the excruciating pain for the next few months, but we made it anyway.We found solace in the Church of Religious Science. This church has nothing to do with any sect. It is a rational combination of religion and science. The ideas of peace and kindness it advocated were exactly what Joya and I needed most at that time.We had two years of practical training, which worked very well for our recovery.We can still feel the void in our lives, but, whether we're ready for it or not, life has to go on.
Notes:
There was a familiar voice on the other end of the line: "Those critics are crazy. I read the script of Candlelight in Rome and loved it." It was Don Hartman. "Thank you, Don, thank you for your kindness." I didn't show any regrets. "I've got a movie I'd like you to write. It's called The Finder. It's starring Dean Martin and Shirley MacLaine, and Hal Wallis is producing. We've got A pretty good script, but it has to be adapted from the two leading actors." "I would love to work with Dean." "Okay. When can we start?" "Don, I'm afraid not right now. I need about fifteen minutes." He smiled. "We'll get in touch with your agent." It's been great to be back at Paramount, it's given me so many great memories.There are also a lot of familiar faces here - from producers, directors, screenwriters to secretaries.I feel like coming home. I made an appointment with Hal Wallis.We've met socially a few times, but we've never worked together.He is the producer of many famous films such as "Bad Boy", "The Rainmaker", "Runaway", "The Rose Tattoo" and many others.Hal was short, stocky and serious.Now in his seventies he is more alive than ever. When I walked into his office, he got up and greeted me and said, "I asked you to write the script because I think it fits your style." "I want to get to work right away." We sat down to discuss the film, and he gave me his perspective.As I was leaving, he said, "By the way, I've seen Candlelight in Rome, and it's a great script." It's too late for that now, Hal. "Thank you." We got to work right away. The original script was very good, written by Edmund Biroyne and Maurice Richlin, but Don was right.The script had to be adapted to suit Dean and Shirley better, they both have strong personalities and it would have been easy to adapt. One night, when I came home from work, Joya was waiting for me with a large bouquet of flowers, her face was beaming.
"Happy Father's Day." I looked at her curiously, "It's not today..." Then I immediately recalled it.I opened my arms and took her in my arms. She asked me, "Do you want a girl or a boy?" "A man and a woman." "Of course it's easy for you to say."
I hugged her tighter. "It's all right, honey. I just hope the baby is as good as Mary." Mary was five years old then.How would she feel about having a brother or sister soon? "Are you going to tell Mary or shall I?" "I have told her." "How did she react?" "Well, she said she was very happy, but after a few minutes, I saw her counting the steps from our room to hers, and from our room to the baby's room." I couldn't help but laugh, "She must be a good sister. What's the name of the child?" "If it's a girl, it's Alexandra." "A beautiful name. If it's a boy, it should be Alexander. The name means defender of mankind." Joya smiled slightly, "Very good." We stayed up all night talking about raising Mary and Joa's unborn baby.The next morning, I was exhausted, but very sweet inside, unspeakably sweet.
The adaptation of the script of "Looking for Fangs" went very smoothly.I have frequent discussions with Hal Wallis and his insights are always helpful.The set for the film had been set up, and the director had been found, Joseph Anthony. Cliff Robertson and Charles Ruggles were added to the cast list.I've worked with Dean before, Shirley MacLean didn't know.All I know is that she is very talented and that she believes she has had many past lives, which is probably true.What I saw was her in this life, a vibrant redhead. "Sidney Shelton," she said, looking me over carefully, "Shirley MacLean. Nice to meet you, Sydney." I doubt very much that we might have met in any other life. Dean grinned when he saw me, "You haven't had enough of me, have you?" "Never." Dean hasn't changed at all, he's still so easy-going and easy to get along with, and he hasn't changed at all because of his superstar status. After Dean and Jerry separated, Jerry made forty more films and worked hard to raise money to help children with muscular dystrophy.Dean also went on to make films and also starred in a very successful television series. Television is a perfect fit for Dean's lifestyle.His contract with the TV station stipulates that he does not need to rehearse.Every time when shooting, he enters the studio, starts shooting immediately, and leaves immediately after shooting.The episodes that were filmed turned out to be very good.
Joya and I have a banquet at home, and we will also be invited by others.Otto especially liked to use his friends, which disgusted me, but I went to the other extreme and unintentionally hurt some very good people.Eddie Lasker is the heir to the legendary Lord Thomas advertising agency and his beautiful wife Jane Greer is a successful actress.They often invite us to his house, and their banquets are always very luxurious.Both Joya and I enjoyed dealing with them. One night, Eddie said, "We're so happy together, why don't we get together regularly once a week?" I thought to myself: I don't have that much money, so it's impossible to be as luxurious as they are, or I'll take advantage of others?So I said, "Eddie, let's see each other." I could see the hurt look on his face. We also got on very well with Arthur Hornblower and Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds.Arthur Hornblower was a successful producer. One day Arthur said, "I've got a picture, I think you'll like it." He's such a successful business that I do need work, but I don't want to take advantage of him.So I said, "Arthur, let's just stay on as friends." In this way, I lost a friend.
Shortly after the filming of "The Seeker" was completed, Qiao Ya went into labor.Our second baby is on the way.This time I was fully prepared.I figured out exactly where the hospital was, and we went there early so we didn't end up in a rush.We opened up a ward in the hospital and the only thing to do now was wait for the baby to arrive - would it be a son or a daughter?Really irrelevant. Our obstetrician, Dr. Blake Watson, has also arrived at the hospital. At one o'clock in the morning, Alexandra came into the world.I was waiting outside the delivery room when Dr. Watson and the two nurses hurried out. Dr. Watson was holding a baby in his arms, wrapped in a blanket. "Doctor, how are you?..." He rushed past me.I started to panic.After a while, Joya was pushed out of the delivery room.She was very pale. She asked me, "Is everything okay?" I held her hand, "It's all good. I'll see you in the ward in a few minutes." I watched her be pushed down the corridor, and then hurried to Dr. Watson. As I passed the ICU, I saw Dr. Watson through the glass.He and two other doctors were standing in front of a crib, discussing something intensely.My heart started beating wildly.I resisted the idea of rushing in and waited outside.Dr. Watson looked up and saw me, and he said something to the other two doctors, and they all looked back at me.I find it hard to even breathe.Then Dr. Watson came out. I asked him, "What's going on? Is there a—what's the problem?" I was at a loss for words. "Bad news, I'm afraid, Mr. Shelton." "The child died?" "No, but..." he said awkwardly, "your child has spina bifida." I wanted to reach out and shake him, "What is this?... Please explain clearly." "Spina bifida is a birth defect. In early pregnancy, the baby's spine does not close properly. After the baby is born, there is only a thin membrane over the spine, and the spinal cord is directly exposed. This is the most..." "Oh my God, fix the spine!" I was hysterical. "It's not that simple. An expert is needed..." "Then get an expert right away. Do you understand? Right now! Get an expert now!" I yelled at him, completely out of control. He looked at me, then nodded, and walked away quickly. I have to break the news to Joya.This was probably the most difficult moment of my life. I walked into the ward and she looked at me, "What happened?" I tried to reassure her, "It's going to be all right. Alexandra has—has a birth defect, but the medical specialists will be here soon. It's going to be all right." At four o'clock in the morning, two doctors came, and Dr. Watson took them into the infant intensive care unit.I stood outside for a while, staring into their faces, hoping that if they could just nod or smile, that would be some sort of comfort.In the end, I couldn't stand it anymore.I went back to Joya's ward.The two of us sat silently waiting for the news. Half an hour later, Dr. Watson came.He looked at Joya and me, and said softly: "Two most authoritative experts in the treatment of spina bifida have examined your child, and they all think that the chance of her surviving is very small. Even if she can survive, she may suffer from cerebral palsy." Fluids." Every word he uttered felt like a sledgehammer. "Bowel and bladder complications can also occur. Spina bifida is a birth defect that can lead to permanent disability." I said, "But there is still hope for her to survive?" "Yes, but..." "Then let's take her home, we will find a nanny to take care of her 24 hours a day, all the equipment..." "Mr. Shelton, this is not going to work. She must be sent to a care center for such problems. We recommend that you send her to a care center near Parmena, who are equipped to care for such patients. " Joya and I looked at each other, and Joya said, "Then we can go see her now." "Better not to go." We couldn't recover for a long time, "Then what do you mean..." "She is dying. It's a pity. The only thing you can do right now is pray for her." How do you pray for a child who is about to die?
I scoured every medical journal I could find for articles on spina bifida.The result is very pessimistic.Mary asked us where Alexandra was and we had to tell her the baby was sick and couldn't go home right away. I can no longer sleep peacefully.I had this vision haunting my mind: Alexandra lying in pain in a cradle in a strange place, with no one to hold her and no one to love her.Several times I woke up in the middle of the night to find Joya crying alone in the empty nursery.But there is still hope.Children with spina bifida have also been documented as adults.Alexandra needs special care, which we can actually do ourselves, and we can do what we can.Dr. Watson was wrong.Medical miracles happen every day. Every time I see an article saying that there is a new cure for a terminal disease, I show the article to Joya, "Look, this drug was not on the market yesterday, but now it can save thousands of lives gone." Joya also looks for articles about groundbreaking discoveries in medicine. "This article says new scientific discoveries are about to change the entire face of medicine. There's no reason why we can't find a cure for our babies." "Of course there is no reason. She has our genes in her body, and she must be strong enough to survive. Now all she has to do is hold on for a while." I hesitated, "I think we should bring her home." Tears glistened in Joya's eyes, "I think so too." "I'll call Dr. Watson early tomorrow morning." I called Dr. Watson's office: "Dr. Watson, I want to talk to you about Alexandra. Joya and I want to..." "I was just about to call you, Mr. Sheldon. Alexandra died in the middle of the night last night."
If there is hell in this world, then this hell exists in the hearts of parents who have lost their beloved son.Our grief is indescribable, a grief that can never be erased.How much we wanted to see Alexandra and Mary thrive under our loving care and have a wonderful, happy life, and that vision lingered in our minds. But Alexandra will never be able to enjoy the sunset, wander in the beautiful park, see the birds in the sky, feel the warm summer breeze, taste the delicious ice cream cone, You can't watch movies, you can't wear nice clothes, you can't drive.She will never experience the joy of love, nor beget children.These will never be possible. It is generally accepted that the pain will naturally fade over time.But our pain is getting stronger and stronger.Our lives seem to have come to a standstill.Now that our only consolation is Mary, Joa and I find ourselves ludicrously overprotective of our children. One day, I asked Joya, "How about we adopt a child?" "Not yet." A few days later, she said to me, "Maybe we should adopt a child. Mary should have a brother or sister." We'll discuss this with Dr. Watson.A college student who was about to graduate just approached him.This girl is about to have a baby, but she broke up with her boyfriend, so she wants to find someone to adopt her child. Dr. Watson said: "The mother of the child is very intelligent, attractive and from a good family. I think this is the most suitable candidate." I had a family meeting with Joya and my six-year-old daughter.We said to Mary, "You are casting the casting vote. Do you want a brother or sister?" She thought for a while and said, "The baby won't die, right?" Joya and I looked at each other, and I said, "I won't die." She nodded, "Okay then." That's it. I made all the financial arrangements. One morning three weeks later, Dr. Watson called: "You have a healthy daughter." We named her Elizabeth April, and it couldn't have been more fitting for her.The baby is beautiful and healthy with brown eyes.I think she has a smile that captivates all living beings, but Joya said it was just my own imagination. It was finally possible to bring Elizabeth April home, and our lives were back on track.Joya and I started planning Elizabeth's future.From our point of view, Elizabeth April is our own flesh and blood, a part of our being.We want to send her to the best schools and let her choose her favorite career freely.We are delighted to see that Mary also cares for her.We put on Elizabeth all the pretty little dresses we had bought for Alexandra.We bought her paints and palettes, maybe she has artistic talent.She will be given piano lessons in the future. As the months passed, it was clear that Elizabeth April was very fond of her older sister, too.Mary giggled every time she walked over to her cradle.Joya and I made the right choice.They will love each other and grow together. Elizabeth April will be six months old in a week.Dr. Watson called. I said, "Doctor, your choice is wise. This is the happiest baby I have ever seen. Our gratitude is beyond words." After a long silence, he said, "Mr. Sheldon, the baby's mother just called and she wants to get her baby back." My blood froze, "What the hell are you talking about? We adopted Elizabeth, April..." "Unfortunately, under state law, a mother who puts her child up for adoption can change her mind within the first six months of the child's life. The mother and father decide to marry and raise the child themselves." I told Joya the news, her face was pale, I thought she was going to faint, "They—they can't take our children away." But they can. The next day, Elizabeth April was carried away.Joya and I couldn't believe it was real. "As long as she's alive, it's fine," Mary said, choking with tears. I can't remember how we survived the excruciating pain for the next few months, but we made it anyway.We found solace in the Church of Religious Science. This church has nothing to do with any sect. It is a rational combination of religion and science. The ideas of peace and kindness it advocated were exactly what Joya and I needed most at that time.We had two years of practical training, which worked very well for our recovery.We can still feel the void in our lives, but, whether we're ready for it or not, life has to go on.
Notes: