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Jenna dropped into a chair beside the bed, unsure she could handle more of Brittany’s drama.
Her sister continued. “I took a temporary job as a bartender only because the guy who owned the bar also rented me a garage apartment. He knew I didn’t have much money and that it wouldn’t go far. On top of that, my car quit working. He felt sorry for me and let me work a few hours a day. It wasn’t much, but the tips helped.”
Jenna thought back over the past couple of weeks. How long had it been since she’d talked with her sister? She usually called every other week. Had it been longer? What kind of older sister was she if she didn’t check on her sister more often than once a month?
Brittany shifted the baby to the other breast and helped her latch on before continuing. “Anyway, I realized that working at a bar and living in a tiny garage apartment that was smaller than a college dorm room wasn’t going to cut it. But I couldn’t afford anything else. I was feeling desperate. The baby was almost here, and I couldn’t support it.”
Jenna started to say something.
Brittany held up a hand. “I know I should’ve called you., but I didn’t. My mistake. I was working at the bar when a man came in and sat at the bar. He asked for a rum and coke. While I fixed it for him, he asked me when my baby was due. We talked for a while. He seemed nice. I confided that I was thinking of giving up my baby for adoption, so it could have a better life than I could provide.”
Jenna’s heart sank. “What did you do?”
Brittany stared at her sister, her eyes filling with tears. “He told me he and his wife had tried to have children, but after five miscarriages and one live birth that ended in the baby dying from SIDs, they’d given up. They lived in a big empty house. He made plenty of money to raise a dozen children and send them all to college without taking out a loan.”
“Money isn’t everything,” Jenna said.
“That’s easy to say when you have it,” Brittany said. “But it wasn’t just the money. He said he loved his wife so much and wished he could give her the baby they both wanted so badly. They were exactly what my baby needed to make it in life. A happily married couple able to give my baby the life I couldn’t.”
Jenna knew where this was going, her heart sinking into the pit of her belly. “You told him he could adopt your baby?” Her gaze rested on the sweet baby girl pressed against her mother’s breast.
“I made him give me a copy of his driver’s license and a copy of his savings and investments statement. My boss at the bar had a cop buddy run a background check on the guy. He was a legit, upstanding citizen in the community with no criminal record. His wife was a volunteer at the local food bank. I drove by the address he gave me, the same one on his driver’s license. It was a big, beautiful house with a huge yard. I couldn’t give my baby any of that.”
Jenna would have helped, but she held her tongue and let her sister continue.
“I agreed to let him adopt my baby, knowing it would be the best life for it. I was fully prepared to hand it over.” She stared down at the baby, suckling at her breast. “Until she finally made her appearance.” Brittany’s lips curled into a soft smile. “Once I held her in my arms, I knew I’d do anything to make her happy. Anything but give her up.” Brittany looked up and caught Jenna’s gaze. “He paid a lot of money to help with my expenses when I couldn’t work the last couple of weeks. I owe him a lot.” She shook her head. “But I can’t give him my baby.”
Jenna pressed a hand to her tight chest, thankful she’d gotten to her sister before the man showed up demanding the baby he’d bought and paid for. “We’ll pay him back.”
“I have no money,” Brittany said.
“I do,” Jenna offered. “I put back some money for a rainy day.” At that moment, no rainstorm was as important as keeping Brittany and her baby girl together. “We’ll figure it out.” She patted her sister’s arm. “Together.”
Tears slid down Brittany’s face. “I really tried not to rely on you. I want to be able to take care of myself and my child. I just can’t right now.”
“That’s what family is for,” Jenna said. “We take care of each other.” She wrapped her arms around her sister and the baby and hugged them gently, tears slipping down her own cheeks. “And no more secrets. We have to work together to make a good home for the baby.” She gave a short laugh. “Does she have a name?”
Brittany shook her head. “I didn’t want to give her one if I was going to give her up for adoption. Now…I don’t know.”
“I always liked the name Olivia,” Jenna offered.
“I like it,” Brittany glanced down at the baby with a light orange fuzz across her scalp. “I’ve always thought Brenna or Blakely were good names.”
“Blakely.” Jenna nodded. “I like it.” She looked down at the baby and smiled. “It’s a good name for a little spitfire like her mother.” She gently feathered her fingers over the baby’s fuzzy scalp, her heart already swelling with love for her niece.
“Blakely Berry,” Brittany rolled the name on her tongue. “I think we have a name. Don’t you, sweetheart?” she spoke softly.
The nurse returned. “Do you need help with the baby?”
Brittany shook her head and smiled at Jenna. “I have my sister to help.”
“I’m headed out for the night,” Nurse Grey said. “Angie Smalls will take the night shift if you need anything. She’ll come to take the baby back to the nursery when you’re ready to sleep.” She turned to Jenna. “I take it you’re Miss Berry’s sister?”
Jenna nodded, too shocked to form words.
“They brought Miss Berry in so quickly I’m sure there’s paperwork to sign in admissions. Now would be a good time to take care of that while the baby is feeding.”
“Yes, of course.” Jenna stood.
