Read Online Against the Odds by Brenda Kennedy - Free Book Online Page B

girl.”  
    “ She was,” Robert says.
“She was our world. We love and miss her very
much.” 
    “ The children thank you
for their gifts. I’m not sure how you knew we also had a son, but
that doesn’t matter.” She looks around the room and focuses on the
flowers and balloons that are scattered everywhere. “I’m not sure
why I’m here,” she says looking back at me. “I think I just wanted
to see what kind of people you are. I wanted to make sure my
daughter… I mean… your daughter was loved and cared for.” She takes
another deep breath and says, “This is a bit of a mess, isn’t
it?” 
    “ It is and she was. We
loved Jamie more than life,” Robert reassures her. “She was
beautiful, fantastic, funny, and full of
personality.” 
    “ I wish I had had a chance
to know her… to love her. She is who your bookstore is named
after.” It’s not a question, but a statement. “Madison and I
frequent it often. She looks forward to having a cinnamon bun while
she reads in the sitting area.” 
    “ I recognized you both
from being in there.” 
    “ She remembers you, too. I
brought you something for… Jamie… well… for Jamie’s gravesite. The
first gift I bought wasn’t…appropriate. We didn’t know she was
deceased when my husband and I bought it.” 
    She hands me the gift bag that is resting on
her lap. I take it and remove the contents carefully. It is a
beautiful cream-color porcelain angel. “This is
beautiful.” 
    “ I wanted to get something
for her grave.” She thinks for a moment and says, “Assuming she has
a grave. I’m sorry, I guess I haven’t thought this through. Maybe
she was…” 
    I say, “No, this will look beautiful on her
grave. Please, don’t apologize.” 
    “ This is so new to me. We
never dreamed that one of our children would have ever been
switched at birth. And then to learn that she had passed away… it’s
all so much to take in.” 
    “ Yes, it is. After the
accident, Leah and I were both in a coma for several weeks. We
didn’t learn about Jamie’s passing until we woke up. Our parents
planned and made all of the funeral arrangements for Jamie,” Robert
informs her.  
    “ Oh, I’m
sorry.” 
    “ Thank you,” I
say.  
    The nurse comes in with my discharge
paperwork and Chelsea stands to leave. “I won’t keep you. Thank you
for taking the time to see me,” Chelsea says as she straightens her
dress.  
    “ You’re welcome.” I give
her a slight smile.  
    She smiles slightly and says, “I also want to
apologize for my husband. He’s still dealing with all of this.
After some time, I’m hoping that he’ll come around.” 
    She turns to leave before I can say anything
and Robert stands and walks her to the door. I listen to and sign
off on all of the instructions. Robert isn’t gone long and he also
listens intently to what the nurse has to say.  
    On the drive home, Robert and I talk about
the visit from Chelsea. I ask him can we visit Jamie so we can
place the angel on her grave and he tells me the doctor instructed
us to go straight home. He does assure me that he’ll take the angel
over to the gravesite in the next few days.  
    Once we are home, Robert gives me a choice of
where I want to lie. I decide on the couch. There is no way that
I’ll be able to stay in one room for eight weeks. I sit while he
gets the pillows and blankets for the couch. He returns, wearing a
pair of sleep pants and a tee shirt. I am already wearing a
nightgown and robe. I smile as he makes the sofa into a bed and
tosses pillows on each end. One for me and one for him. I should
have known that Robert wouldn’t stay dressed or that he wouldn’t
leave the house today. I also know that there is no way Robert
would be able to handle being in this house for eight weeks
straight. He’ll try, but he’ll fail miserably.  
    Robert
    I lie on one end of the
couch and watch Leah sleep on the other end. I also read over the
instructions that