I sat beside him.
“You should have told me.”
“I know.”
“Why wasn’t Emma discussed during Luke’s adoption?”
“But you are not going anywhere. You’re my son. Adoption wasn’t a trial period.”
His shoulders collapsed.
The next morning, I called Denise.
“Why wasn’t Emma discussed during Luke’s adoption?”
There was a long silence.
“There were decisions made between the adults involved at the time.”
“The history was in the older records, but direct contact had become restricted years ago while Emma adjusted to her placement.”
“Restricted by whom?”
“There were decisions made between the adults involved at the time. Letters were routed through them. Contact was supposed to be revisited.”
“Supposed to be?”
“Did Luke have contact with her?”
Another silence.
“It wasn’t handled well.”
“Did Luke have contact with her?”
“He sent letters.”
“Did Emma answer?”
When I asked him, he returned carrying an old shoebox.
