Shattered

By Lorah Jaiyn

Our first Christmas together.

“Which present’s mine?” Innocence sparkled in brown eyes.

“All of them, sweetie.”

“Every single one?” Surprise overwhelmed her.

Hugs of happiness, paper flying, squeals echoing.

I kissed my husband, new roots of family digging deep.

Our magical house cured insecurities, nightmares, bed-wetting, and witnessed parenting adventures, both triumphs and not-so-much.

Beach trips—a little girl’s delight, sandy feet, sunburned nose.

The torment of reality: a drug-addicted mother. Jealous, lonely, vindictive.

They walked away, hand-in-hand, dragging the shattered shards of my heart, my ability to breathe. I lay on the floor, curled around her teddy bear.

Adoption cancelled.