Crazybone (25 page)
“We are not going to become parents. We couldn’t if we wanted to. The child welfare people, the courts—”
“Damn all that,” Cybil said. “If you really want to adopt that little girl, you can find ways and means to do it. And I think deep down you do want to, both of you. You’d better give it some serious consideration. I mean that. Serious consideration.”
All right, so we gave it some serious consideration.
The answer was the same: No.
We talked to Emily about it, tentatively at first, then openly. Kerry’s idea. It was what the kid wanted, all right. No begging, no pleading, just the big soulful eyes and a small hopeful smile.
The answer was still no.
Tamara, naturally, thought it was a splendid idea.
No.
The social worker who came to talk to Emily and to Kerry and me didn’t rule it out.
No.
Cybil kept calling up and lobbying.
No.
Kerry went to see a family lawyer she knew. He thought it could probably be managed, given the unusual circumstances and despite our ages, if all parties were in accord and the judge in the case was the sympathetic type.
No.
Then one evening while I was dozing in my chair. Emily came and sat on the arm and looked at me and then snuggled down and laid her head on my shoulder.
Just say no and keep on saying it.
But dammit, I’m not made of stone...
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