Page 76 of Home Body
“Ah, I think the original proposal came from my mother. Let’s be glad she didn’t bring along a shotgun.”
“No need, because I say yes.”
“This weekend?”
“Yes.”
Their laughter at the absurdity and exhilaration of it all echoed across the land, bringing joy to every creature who heard it. Including Mamie and Rose, who excitedly sat at the open window above the porch.
CHAPTER 44
The half-moon languished high in the sky when Dalia and Brody awoke to a car sneaking up the drive. The couple had dozed while sitting there on the swing, and the car alone at that hour alarmed them. But the headlights turning off before reaching the house had them at full attention.
Brody stood up, pulling on Dalia’s arm. “Go inside,” he ordered in a low voice. “Whoever this is, I’ll take care of it.”
“No, I’m not leaving you alone.” She stood up beside him.
“Dalia…”
“Wait. That’s Kenyon’s car.” She kept her voice down because Rose slept behind the open window above the porch.
Kenyon stopped, turned off the engine, and as quietly as possible got out, tamping the door closed. They went down to meet her there.
“Kenyon, are you okay?” Dalia asked in concern.
“Oh, I’m fine.” Kenyon glanced up at Rose’s open window, knowing from the night she slept in that room that there was a clear view outside, and they had to stay quiet. “Listen,” she whispered, “I need to talk to you about something and I didn’t want to do it over the phone. I’m so sorry it’s late. I thought I’dbe ready to come out here hours ago, but everything took longer than I expected.”
“Do you need to talk to Dalia alone?” Brody asked. “I can go.”
“Is this about your news story?” Dalia started putting pieces together.
“Yes. So, Brody, if it’s okay with Dalia, I don’t mind if you stay.”
“He can stay. He knows everything we know.”
The crunch of gravel underfoot caused them to turn to be met by Mamie in her bathrobe and slippers. “Come. Talk in the kitchen. Rose won’t hear from there. I’ll make coffee, unless anybody wants a beer. Or whiskey.”
“Okay. But I need to be quick. I don’t have much time,” Kenyon explained.
They followed Mamie inside and sat at the table while she put on the coffee pot and put out a plate of ginger snap cookies. “Do you need me to leave?” she asked.
“No, Mamie, this will involve you, too,” Kenyon insisted. “You see, I’ve written an article about what we found in Amberton and about Nellie Franklin’s arrest for kidnapping and selling babies. She might have even more charges by now. I’ve been in touch with Sheriff Wisniewski and Nellie’s been talking up a storm. I’ve also talked to the editor ofTheDetroit Free Pressand if I get my article to him by midnight – I have an hour and a half – if he likes it, it’ll be front page in tomorrow morning’s paper. And I’ll have a job.”
“Why, Kenyon, that’s marvelous,” Mamie said.
“Yes, but I can’t do it without everybody’s permission. I mean, legally I don’t have to get permission because I’m reporting everything I witnessed. But that’s the right thing to do. So far the sheriff, Inez, Saul, and my mom have said okay. My mom hesitated but then decided that if my article runs inthe five-thirty newspaper, she’ll report on it at six. She’s already gone into the studio. She won’t even get any sleep.”
Mamie put a cup of steaming coffee in front of her. “Oh, thanks, Mamie. This is just what I need.” Kenyon blew on it, knowing it was still too hot, so she went on with her story while Mamie doled out coffee for all.
“My mom wants me to tell you that she knows news and she knows this story is going to break with or without us. It’s better it be us. We can at least start it with some measure of control.”
Dalia sighed, giving in. “That’s true.”
“And this surprised me,” Kenyon continued, “but she wants to confess that she was one of the victims. Her producer is all psyched. This will be huge. At seven tomorrow night she’ll do an hour-long special on it. She said her heart breaks for all those mothers like her who thought their babies died, and they have a right to know what happened. The sheriff expects an onslaught of reporters from all over the country. Mom says they’ll concentrate on the criminal part of the story. Her special will focus on the mothers like her and the children. Like you, Dalia. But she promises she will not say she knows where her lost child is. She will never use your name unless you want to be part of the effort to help other victims. I know my mom. She will ever break that promise. She wants to call you in the morning to reassure you.” She paused to take a gulp of her coffee. “Damn, Mamie, you even make the best coffee ever. Thanks.”
Mamie thanked her with a nod as she sipped her own brew.
Kenyon had more to say. “Mom insists that no one should be named unless they choose to do so – other mothers, the children. This is going to be very traumatic for a lot of people. There will be mothers who secretly had babies and thought they died, and they’ve never told anyone. They might think it’ll ruin their lives if anyone finds out now. They’ve suffered alone keeping that secret and thinking their baby died and they mightsuffer alone some more finding out they’re alive. You don’t know my mom that well yet, but she’ll be all for some kind of support effort.
