It had been months since I last saw Erin. It hasn’t been since the baby arrived. As the entire family embarked on the journey to see her, with presents in tow and hearts brimming with anticipation, I was prepared for a heartwarming reunion. It was not solely about meeting my new nephew; it was also about reuniting with my goddaughter, Lily, the little girl who had brought so much joy to Erin’s life just months earlier.
Upon entering, the aroma of baby powder and freshly laundered clothes enveloped us. Erin shone brightly, the fatigue of new motherhood eased by the warmth of joy. The infant, swaddled in a blue onesie, rested serenely in her embrace. Yet, there was an absence. There was an absence felt.
“Where is Lily?” I inquired, surveying the living room for any indication of her presence. Her toys, her little shoes, everything.
Erin’s smile faltered. She looked at her boyfriend, who had suddenly become captivated by the floor. Then, with a nonchalant shrug, she remarked, “Oh. I returned her to her rightful place.
I blinked. “You… what did you say?”
She let out a sigh, as though I were requesting her to reiterate something insignificant. “I have always desired a son.” At this moment, I possess one. What purpose would a daughter serve for me?
My stomach twisted in knots. I gripped the gift bag firmly in my hands. “You returned her?!” She is a child, not something that can be returned!
Erin sighed in exasperation. “Take it easy.” She never truly belonged to me, after all. Simply… fleeting.
The word struck me with unexpected force. Short-term? The young girl referred to Erin as “Mom.” She had held onto her in moments of fear, gazing up with eyes brimming with trust. And now she was gone, cast aside like a forgotten toy, as Erin finally achieved her true desire.
“She was a child in foster care, alright?” Erin stated, her arms crossed. “I didn’t abandon my own child.”
I was trembling with anger. “She was your child.” Perhaps not by blood, yet by love. You embraced her, comforted her, and settled her in for the night. So you simply let her go because she didn’t align with your ideal vision?
Erin let out a derisive laugh. “It’s not a big deal.” She will be okay. She doesn’t recall much, to be honest.
Just as I was about to let my anger explode, there came a series of sharp knocks at the door. Erin paused before responding, and as she did, her expression transformed from annoyance to pure terror.
A woman in a black blazer stood at the threshold, her keen gaze scanning Erin. A man in a suit flipped through a file behind her. “Ms. Reynolds?”
Erin nodded, her voice tinged with caution. “What is it?”
“I represent Child Protective Services.” The woman’s tone was sharp and businesslike. “We would like to have a conversation with you.”
The room fell into a deep silence. Erin’s boyfriend tensed up. My parents shared anxious looks. I crossed my arms, observing the events as they transpired.
“I don’t understand,” Erin said, trying to laugh it off. “Is this regarding Lily?” I adhered to all the procedures.
The woman’s expression remained unchanged. “This concerns your son.”
The air vanished from the room.
“What did you say?” Erin’s voice was soft and barely audible.
“A report has been received regarding the neglect and abandonment of a foster child under your care.” In light of the situation, we are performing an evaluation to confirm that your biological child is in a secure and stable setting.
Erin’s complexion drained of color. “This is unbelievable.” I did nothing wrong! I returned Lily through the system—legally!”
The man turned a page. “Our records indicate that you requested emergency removal, stating ‘incompatibility’ and ‘lack of emotional attachment.’” You mentioned that you did not want to continue fostering any child who was not biologically related to you.
I glanced at Erin, my revulsion escalating to unprecedented levels. She didn’t even attempt to help Lily adjust to the new situation, showed no concern for her whereabouts—simply discarded her as if she were an unwelcome visitor.
“I would like to assess your son’s living conditions,” the CPS worker continued. “This is a typical protocol when there are concerns regarding a caregiver’s ability to fulfill parental responsibilities.”
Erin’s voice trembled. “Are you implying that I’m not a good mother?”
“No,” the woman replied with a calm demeanor. “We’re expressing the need to ensure that you are a suitable match.”
A sense of panic emerged. Erin’s hands shook as she held her baby close to her heart. “I adore my son!” I would never cause him any harm!”
The CPS worker acknowledged with a nod. “That is precisely what we aim to validate.” She entered the room. “We need to have a private conversation with you and conduct an inspection of the home.”
Erin felt tears welling in her eyes as the weight of reality settled in. She believed she had triumphed. She believed she could decide who was worthy of her love and who was not, without facing any repercussions. Karma has a unique ability to restore equilibrium.
She had discarded Lily. Now, another person held the authority to determine whether she was capable of raising her own child.
I ought to have experienced compassion. Instead, I experienced something different—justice.
No child deserves to be regarded as anything less than permanent.
The stillness in the room was overwhelming. My parents, who had remained silently in the background, suddenly moved forward, their faces clouded with disappointment. My mother’s lips quivered as she gazed at Erin.
“How could you?” she murmured.
Erin recoiled. “Mom, please, you don’t see it—”
“No, Erin.” I comprehend completely. My mother’s voice, typically warm and filled with affection, felt icy. “You left a child behind.” A young girl who adored you. Do you really think we can just stand by your side as if nothing has occurred?
My father shook his head, his expression marked by a blend of sorrow and frustration. “We brought you up to have higher standards than this.”
Erin’s eyes flickered back and forth between them, filled with urgency. “I did nothing wrong!” Lily was not my biological daughter! I finally have my true family now!
“Do you believe that family is solely defined by blood relations?” My mother’s voice elevated, her anguish palpable. “If that’s what you believe, then I suppose we didn’t succeed as parents.”
Erin began to speak up, but my father shifted his attention away from her, focusing on the CPS worker instead.
“Where is Lily now?” he inquired.
The woman blinked, surprised by the question. “She was returned to the system following Erin’s request for her removal.” She is currently staying with a temporary foster family, but—
“We wish to adopt her,” my mother stated with conviction.
Erin inhaled sharply. “What?!”
The CPS worker scowled. “Adoption is not a quick process, and considering the situation—”
“We will do whatever is necessary,” my father interjected. His voice, consistently calm and steady, remained unwavering. “From the very first moment we encountered Lily, we were smitten.” She will always be our granddaughter, regardless of what Erin claims. We desire her return home.
My eyes brimmed with tears as I gazed at them. My parents were the most compassionate individuals I had ever encountered. They were the foundation of our family, exemplifying the true meaning of unconditional love. And now, they were rising to the occasion in a manner Erin had never experienced.
The CPS worker acknowledged with a slow nod. “Should you be committed, we can initiate the process.” I will investigate her current placement.
Erin appeared as though she had just been struck. “You—you can’t simply replace me!” she exclaimed.
My father turned back to her, his expression serious. “You let go of Lily the instant you determined she wasn’t valuable enough to hold onto.”
Erin exhaled sharply, her hands balling into fists. “This is not just!” I am your daughter!
My mother’s lips formed a tight line. “And Lily belonged to you.”
For the first time, genuine fear appeared on Erin’s face. She had devoted her whole life to depending on my parents’ kindness. They had assisted her throughout her education, provided financial support during her difficult times, and even covered the cost of the apartment she currently resided in. At that moment, she realized it—her safety net had vanished.
My father squared his shoulders. “We have provided you with all that we could, Erin.” We have remained by your side, even during your missteps. However, this? This surpasses any possibility of forgiveness. He inhaled deeply, as though bracing himself. “We will cease our financial support.”
Erin’s complexion drained of color. “You—surely you can’t be serious.”
“We are,” my mother stated. “If you think individuals can simply be discarded when they cease to be useful, perhaps it’s time for you to understand what that experience is like.”
Tears streamed down Erin’s cheeks. “Mom, Dad, I beg you.” I am now a parent to a baby! I cannot accomplish this by myself!
“You ought to have considered that before you discarded your daughter,” I remarked, my tone cutting. “Lily required your presence.” However, it seemed you were indifferent. Now you will experience what it feels like to be abandoned.
The CPS worker scrutinized Erin intently. “I will follow up to check on your son’s well-being,” she said. “In the meantime, I recommend you begin reflecting on the type of mother you truly aspire to be.”
Erin collapsed onto the couch, weeping. No one stepped forward to offer her solace.
She had made her choice.
And now, we had indeed.
Two months later, Lily entered my parents’ home, her smile shy and her eyes wide with wonder. My mother knelt before her, extending her arms.
“Sweetheart,” she murmured, her voice heavy with feeling. “Would you be interested in coming home?”
Lily paused briefly before she dashed into my mother’s arms.
In an instant, she found herself back home.
If you think love creates a family, please share this story. What are your thoughts on Erin’s decisions? Let’s have a conversation. 👇
