Page 72 of Mercy
“What have you been doing to keep yourself out of trouble, missy?”
She covers her mouth with her hand and giggles, “Abby took me to the playroom so I could paint you a picture. It’s on my table,” I’m not allowed out of bed. I’ve been weak, so Dr. L says I have to stay in bed for now.”
Rising out of my chair, I walk over to the table, and it’s a canvas.
“This one?” I ask as I pick it up.
“Yes,” she smiles.
I stare at it and tears run down my face, it’s so beautiful. It’s a long strand of gorgeous ivy with three lavender purple roses threaded through it.
“Honey, this is the most stunning picture. I’m going to hang this at home, so I see it every single day. This means so much to me, thank you.”
“There’s a rose for me, for you, and Dr. L.”
I set the picture down on the table and ask her, “Would it be okay if I hug you? It’s okay if you say no.”
“Yes.”
Walking over to her, I hug her, my heart is so full. It’s at this moment, I decide even though I shouldn’t be making decisions like this without Liam. I want to adopt her. I sit down and we talk about the movies she’s been watching and a game she found.Apparently, a game where you can dress up princesses and do their make-up is about the best thing in the world.
Suddenly I know he’s here, I don’t know how I know but I know. I feel him before I see him. I turn as Liam walks in with two cupcakes, one with a candle in it.
He lights the candle, “Help me sing to Mercy, it’s her birthday tomorrow.”
Ivy claps her hands excitedly, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY MERCY!”
Liam starts singing and Ivy joins in. If you want to see the happiest moment of my life up to now, this might just be it. Liam hands me my cupcake, “Make a wish.”
I wish to adopt this little girl which all of a sudden is what I want more than anything. I blow out my candle and Liam asks, “What did you wish for?”
Ivy screams, “NO! DON’T TELL HIM! IF YOU TELL YOUR WISH, IT DOESN’T COME TRUE!”
I laugh, “I won’t tell him. Boys think they need to know everything,” I wink at her.
Liam hands Ivy her cupcake, “Just a little bit, okay? I don’t want you to get sick.”
We spend the afternoon watching movies and talking about girl stuff after Liam heads back to work. She was a little disappointed that I’d be out of town this weekend for my birthday, but she’ll be okay.
I’m getting ready to go with my painting in my hand, when she says words that stop me in my tracks.
“Mercy, I wish you were my mom.”
Glancing at her, I attempt to keep my emotions stuffed down, “I know it’s hard with the way things are. But you’re going to find a family that sees what I see. They will get to know you and want to adopt you.”
I want to adopt her but I’m not telling her that because I don’t know what the outcome will be. And I really owe it to Liam to have this conversation with him.
“What’s adopt?” she asks.
“When a family decides they want you to be part of their family forever, that’s adoption.”
She wipes tears that have fallen on her cheeks, “Oh.”
I know this is a lot for a little girl. I can’t imagine being in her shoes. She’s got to be terrified. Every child deserves to know where they will live. This cloud of uncertainty hanging around her has got to be devastating. Her mom is not a good mother but she’s all she has ever known. If I get my way, we will adopt her. When we do, I’m going to love this little girl with everything I’ve got.
Liam comes in, “Are you ready to go?”
I nod, “Yeah.”
