The Things We Do for Love

Just know that somewhere, a new mother is going to sleep at night, thinking about you. Pretending-- wishing--that she had been your daughter.

With love,

Lauren

Angie folded up the letter and put it back in the envelope. Then she turned to Conlan. "Shes out there all alone. "

"Not alone," he said gently. She knew when she looked in his eyes that hed expected this all along.

"Too alone, then. "

He pulled her into his arms and let her cry.

THEY FOUND DAVID IN THE WAITING ROOM WITH HIS mother.

At their arrival, David looked up.

"Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Malone. "

His mother, Anita, smiled. "Hello again. "

An awkward pause fell. They all looked at one another.

"Hes beautiful," Anita said, her voice cracking only a little.

Angie wondered how it must feel to say good-bye to your sons son. "Lauren has left the hospital," Angie said as gently as she could. "She took the baby with her. We dont . . . " Her throat closed; she couldnt finish.

"We dont know where she went," Conlan said.

Anita crumpled into a chair, saying, "Oh, God," and covering her mouth with her hand.

David frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"She left with her son," Angie said.

"Left? But . . . " Davids voice broke.

Angie handed him the envelope. "She left this for you. "

His hands were unsteady as he opened the letter.

They all stood there in silence, watching him.

Finally, he looked up. Standing there, crying, he looked so young. "Shes not coming back. "

It took all of Angies strength not to cry with him. "I dont think she can. " It was the first time shed dared to say it, even to herself. Conlan squeezed her hand. "She thinks wed all be better off not knowing where she is. "

David reached for his mothers hand. "What do we do, Mom? Shes all alone. Its my fault. I should have stayed with her. "

They stood there, looking at one another. No one knew what to say.

Finally, Anita said, "Youll call us if she comes back. "

"Of course," Conlan answered.

Angie watched them leave, mother and son, holding hands. She wondered what theyd say to each other now. What words could be found on a day like this.

At last, she turned to Conlan, gazed up at him.