Page 68 of Home Body
“Yes, well, this won’t be like that. It’s a much bigger story. I went with her, with her permission to write a story. What we discovered is huge. It’ll be national headlines.”
Llayne sat back. “Really? What happened?”
“There’s more to the story – we met some terrific people along the way – but here’s the short version. We found an obstetrician, now dead, who stole and sold babies.”
Kenyon watched the pupils of her mother’s eyes dial open as she took in every word. “Yes?” was all she said.
“He did it for twelve years starting in 1965; we estimate about fifty a year. He specialized in unwed mothers, many college girls. He would either arrange to have their babies adopted or he’d steal them outright, telling the mother it was a stillbirth. He’d adopt them out for a hefty price.”
Kenyon already knew she needn’t ask her mother any more questions. The blood draining from her mother’s face, her transfixed glare, and the quiver of her lower lip said it all.
Her voice faltering, her mom whispered, “Where?”
“Amberton.”
Llayne nodded, making no effort at pretense.
“Mom, did you have a baby in May of 1970?”
“Yes. Yes! Are you saying my child might be alive?” Tears rushed down Llayne’s cheeks.
Kenyon started to cry, too, as she and her mom held hands. “Yes, mom. And I’m pretty sure we know her.”
Confusion mottled Llayne’s face until realization hit. “Are you saying …” she took a jagged breath “…are you saying it’s Dalia?”
“We can’t be sure, I suppose, but yes, that’s what I’m saying. May 27.”
“I’m sure,” Llayne said, squeezing her daughter’s hands so hard Kenyon let go. Llayne swiped at her watery cheeks. “He told me she was born dead.” Her eyes veered off into the night, pulling up the horrific memory. “But I couldn’t believe it. I’d felt her inside me, kicking and healthy, right up to the end. Nothing had gone wrong. And I thought, oh my god I thought I heard a cackle before the nurse took her away.” She reached out as iftrying to retrieve the baby. Her gaze returned to Kenyon as her face crumpled at remembering. “Then they gave me a shot to knock me out. I never even got to see her.”
“Oh Mom, we heard another story just like that. A man we met said the very same thing happened to his niece.”
“Oh that poor woman. How many of us are there out here thinking our babies died? It was so horrible. My heart was shattered. A part of me had vanished and I had no control, no power to do anything about it. I was humiliated and embarrassed at my stupidity in getting pregnant, so I kept it a secret.”
Kenyon took her mom’s hand again. “Mom, does Dad know?”
“Oh yes. We have no secrets.”
“Who was the father? You didn’t know my biological dad or Dad yet, right?”
“Right. It was a professor, thirteen years older.” Llayne’s voice filled with venom. “He was a rake, and I was so young and stupid I thought it was real love. If I’m Dalia’s mother, he’s her father. But I have no idea where he is now.”
“I know.”
They were surprised to find Mack standing in the open doorway.
“Honey.” Llayne reached for her husband. He sat down beside her and stretched over to take her in his arms.
He explained, “A year after being kicked out of CMU for his philandering with female students, he was suspended from another teaching job. After that, his reputation was ruined. No university would hire him. I saw to that. He left academia and became a factory worker, last I knew.”
“Mack, you never told me. What did you do?”
“I made sure the appropriate authorities knew, without divulging any students’ names, of course. I also paid him a littlevisit. It’s possible I physically threatened him. I didn’t think you needed to know all that.”
“I had no idea.”
“So much for no secrets,” Kenyon couldn’t help but state the obvious.
“I heard most of what you said,” Mack told Kenyon. “I think the proof is in those old photos of your mom at Dalia’s age. They look just alike.”
