Read Online Her Name Is Rose by Christine Breen - Free Book Online

exciting, although I can also imagine your anxiety for her … and for yourself.” Sonia was definitely pacing the meeting, injecting it with a balance of feigned interest and composure.
    â€œYes. And now, this…” Iris’s voice stalled. Her hands went to her chest.
    â€œI’m sorry. It hasn’t been easy, I can imagine—”
    â€œNo, it hasn’t been easy. It damn well hasn’t. That’s why I’m here,” Iris cried. “I have to. I have to find. I have to find Rose’s birth mother. I have to find Hilary.”
    Sonia’s eyes knitted together, but if she was stunned at hearing the name she hid it well. She looked down and reached for the brown folder.
    â€œMrs. Bowen, Iris, I’m afraid it’s not good news then,” Sonia said finally. She turned her head toward the door in a way that suggested to Iris that she was suddenly uncomfortable. It was as if she was willing it to open, so she could escape. “We won’t be able to help you. That information is private, available only to the birth family circle and its adoptees. I’m afraid you don’t meet the criteria. The rules are very strict. Yours was not an open adoption.” She allowed just a few moments to let those words to sink in, avoiding Iris’s eyes, looking at the folder. But she didn’t wait long before she continued, “Your daughter can request this information.” She looked at Iris squarely. “And I promise whatever we have we will give her.” Then she placed the folder back down. “I hope you understand.”
    Iris’s mind was in overdrive. She thought of Luke reminding her that in situations like these, when her back was up against the wall, she needed to lighten up. But he wasn’t there. She had to do this on her own. “This isn’t good enough. I’m her mother! I have a right to know.”
    Sonia McGowan may have had a storage of responses tucked away behind her perfect hair and might have been able to deliver whichever of them was needed to calm clients down in situations like these, but this time she chose the wrong one. “Actually, no. You don’t.”
    Iris was on her feet in a flash.
    â€œPlease sit down, Mrs. Bowen. It’s all right. I do understand.”
    Sonia moved to the edge of her chair and waited for Iris to sit. Then she leaned forward, her voice quiet.
    â€œI’ve looked through the file and what I can tell you is that we’ve lost contact. So, really, even we would find it difficult to trace her today.” She continued, “We try to follow the birth mothers for the first few years—as you probably know. And—”
    â€œHer name was Hilary. Right? We met her, you know.” Iris had softened her voice, too.
    â€œYes, I see that. But the thing is, according to our records, your daughter’s birth mother”—Sonia was talking with that scripted calmness again but she dropped her voice—“Hilary … stopped responding.” Sonia inched forward as if to reach out and touch Iris.
    Iris’s heart beat double time. She thought she might choke. The room was cold, and the armchairs were older than Iris, and the floor was so polished that her shoes squeaked when she shifted position in an effort to ease her panic. “When was that?”
    â€œAbout sixteen or seventeen years ago,” Sonia said, her voice low, nearly a whisper.
    Iris wished it all was easier. The whole thing. Just as she was working her way through the grief of having lost Luke, now this. She’d anticipated she wouldn’t be given all the information she needed, but she had not prepared herself for this. A dead end. Full stop. She sat back, covering her eyes, then looked up and spoke quickly, her voice now straining.
    â€œWhere does that leave me? I mean, is that all there is?”
    â€œWhat more do you want?” Sonia asked, somewhat puzzled. “I