Her heartbreak is less onMondays.

Monday


Hers was a path from the back porch past the barn, down to
the low place in the creek where she tip-toed on the rocks to
the other side. Her route changed into the woods for a short
distance, ending at the State Highway where she sat down to
wait for the bus going into town.

She made the trip each Monday, the day she could hold the
child. After play and games she bathed the tiny girl and
dressed her in fresh clothes. The two always had a party with
pretended tea sipped from small cups. Laughs and giggles
were theirs as they spent a whole day together.

She had arranged the visits several months before, agreeing to
do some house work for a modest amount. It was the end of
a long search, assisted by a former school mate who worked for
the county government. And, it was her friend who suggested
the Monday work and child sitting.

Of course, her friend broke the law by telling her who had
adopted the baby born almost three years before. And,
surely, she might be found out over time. but, what a joy
for a young mother to have a part in the growth of her birth
child. Her comfort was in knowing that it was lovingly right.


F William Broome 2009