Free Child of Mine by Beverly Lewis Page B

them, cheek to cheek and not a care in the world.
    From the cupboard, Kelly removed the worn photo album of her high school and college years, as well as her early years with Emily. In the meantime, Felix had made himself right at home, lounging on the sofa, just staring back at her.
    Kelly smiled. “At least someone’s happy.”
    The cat’s eyes drooped, now half-mast. Of course I’m happy. Why do you ask?
    Kelly perused the scrapbook pages again. Several photos gracedthe album—Kelly with Melody, nine-year-olds dressed as characters from The Wizard of Oz, raring to go trick-or-treating. Kelly had been the good witch; Melody had chosen Dorothy. There was also a shot with their prom dates: Kelly with Bobby Maines and Melody with her own husband-to-be, Trey Cunningham. And a final one: the college graduation photo, complete with bright blue caps and gowns. The picture included their parents in front of the girls’ dorm, only weeks away from Kelly’s and Melody’s weddings.
    Even now, she was tempted to text Melody.
    â€œSame number, Kel?” Melody had asked.
    It’s been six years, Kelly thought. Six lousy years since she’d pushed Melody away. To her friend’s credit, Melody hadn’t much cared for Bobby, even before he took Emily.
    Robert “Bobby” Maines had been heartbreakingly charming back in the day. Kelly’s mom spotted him first, at church, impressed with such a “polite young man.” Determined that her daughter marry and have the same happily-ever-after she’d known with her own husband before his untimely death, she’d practically pushed Kelly into his arms.
    Dear Bobby . Tall and truly good-looking, his dark eyes could penetrate your heart. Bobby Maines was a back-slapping natural salesman, played varsity football, and was senior class president. The day he turned eighteen, Bobby landed an entry-level job at their local car dealership. Although head over her heels in love, Kelly was determined to finish college. And Bobby promised to wait for her.
    While waiting, he made loads of money, startlingly so. Far more than she could’ve made just out of college. Looking back, there were times when Kelly was puzzled by his ultra-nice approach—his too-smiley demeanor, his upbeat spin on everything, and the surprising flow of money. It worried her at first, then outright annoyed her. Something was dreadfully amiss.
    But Kelly was in love and blind. So she married Bobby, despite the warning bells. Their wedded bliss lasted nearly a year before histrue colors became apparent, particularly his secret addictions and his paranoid jealousy. Their marriage began to spiral downward.
    On top of everything, Bobby wouldn’t consider the possibility of having children, wanting Kelly all to himself and claiming kids were just a money drain. When she’d unintentionally gotten pregnant, he became irate and insisted she abort. Kelly refused, signaling the beginning of the end. Eventually Bobby’s drug and alcohol usage caused him to lose his job, and he became abusive. By the time little Emily was born, Kelly and Bobby had been separated for six months.
    Then, one day after a bitter argument, Bobby did the unthinkable.
    Days later, the police found him in New York City, sprawled on a hotel bed, dead from an overdose. Baby Emily was nowhere to be found. Scant but sufficient evidence pointed to the unbelievable truth: Bobby had sold their infant daughter to a baby broker for the very drugs that had taken his life. And with his death, the trail to Emily’s whereabouts died, as well.
    If only I realized what he was capable of, Kelly thought, now aware of a strange tingling in her arms and legs. Familiar with the first clutches of despair, she brushed away tears, mentally tying a rope to her faith and holding on.
    Kelly entered the bathroom and showered, hoping to pull herself together before leaving for work. Dressed and ready to head out,