Closure To A Life of Mystery
Chapter 3
Kerry let Nick in and immediately wrapped him in a huge hug. "Thank you so much Nick, you have no idea how much this means to me!" "Kerry, it's a pleasure really, its at times like this that I love my job!"
They made some small talk about the investigation before Nick said that he really had to get to his house, he hadn't been home in over three weeks. He handed Kerry the box of diaries and was gone. Kerry took the box to the living room and settled down for a morning of reading.
She opened the box and found a stack of three diaries. On top of it all was a letter.
"Dear Kayla, or as you are now known, Kerry; It has been over 33 years since I last saw you. I cannot believe
how time has flown. I hop you can understand me not wanting to
see you. You are a part of my old life, a life full of painful
memories that would hurt far too much to re-visit. Enclosed
you will find my diaries from your first birthday to the day I left
you behind. These diaries will explain to you what
happened to you father and the reason your life is the way it is.
Please keep them and do not try to contact me.
It pains me not to see you but to remember would hurt more. Sincerely, S.S.B.
Kerry immediately opened the first diary. After so many years of wondering she would finally know everything. Taking a deep breath, Kerry opened the top diary.
September 19,1967
'Today we celebrated my dear Kayla's first birthday. She is such an active toddler, running around already! Although she didn't quite understand what was happening, she certainly enjoyed tearing into all the gifts. She also made quite a scene eating her birthday cake. Her entire head was matted with cake and her lovely red hair was brown with chocolate! It's such a shame that her father wasn't feeling well today. He slept most of the party and has quite a fever. He is also complaining of aches and pains in his joints. I will call the doctor tomorrow to see him. Meanwhile, I must make Kayla a snack before I put her down for the night.'
October 1,1967
'I've been so busy caring for my husband the past few weeks that I haven't had time to write. The doctors confirmed our worst fear today. James has contracted polio. The doctors do not feel he has the strength to pull through.'
Kerry looked away from the writing for a moment and in that second she knew exactly why she was the way she was. It explained the aches in her left leg and hip and the stiffness or as she now knew, the partial paralysis. She continued reading where she left off.
'I can only pray that this horrible disease does not attack my beautiful Kayla. She is already so active it would be awful on her.'
November 22,1967
'James died three days ago. He finally succumbed to the disease that robbed him of the ability to move everything except his face. The last two weeks were the worst but the only consolation is that he is now pain-free. The funeral was this morning and very small. Poor Kayla has no idea what is going on but has been fussy all day and not wanting to eat. She also said her first word today. When I went into her bedroom to wake her, she looked at my and clearly said "Mommy". Having her around as a distraction is making the loss of James somewhat easier.'
December 4,1967
'My precious Kayla is so sick. The exposure to James' polio has caused her to contract the disease. Doctor's are feeling very optimistic that she will pull through. I can only hope and pray that she does. I also pray that she does not suffer any side-effects. The only consolation I have is knowing I am safe from this disease, having it when I was a teenager gave me the immunity I need to stay strong for Kayla. I only wish that when she recovers I could run through the fields with her as James used to. But I know that is a fantasy that cannot be fulfilled. I will never go in the fields again, never mind get out of this wheelchair and run. My one hope is that Kayla does not suffer the crippling effects of this disease as I have.'
Kerry gasped out loud and her eyes brimmed with tears. Never had she ever imagined her birth mother as being disabled. She couldn't keep her eyes away for long, she immediately started reading again.
December 25,1967
'Kayla made it! She pulled through and this morning even looked at me and said "Mommy love!" It is the best gift anyone could have given me this Christmas morning. Doctors aren't sure yet about the side-effects. They guarantee that there is incredible weakness in her left leg and hip but they aren't really sure about everything else, for now it seems to be moving ok. They have told me she may end up in a wheelchair until she is old enough to learn to use crutches to walk. My sister has promised to help, otherwise I don't know how I would care for a disabled child. I will however, love her no matter what happens!"
Kerry closed the diary and stood up to get ready for work. She was dying to keep reading to find out why her mother had a change of heart but she decided it wasn't worth sacrificing her job to find out. She promised herself that she would continue reading as soon as she got home.
Kerry let Nick in and immediately wrapped him in a huge hug. "Thank you so much Nick, you have no idea how much this means to me!" "Kerry, it's a pleasure really, its at times like this that I love my job!"
They made some small talk about the investigation before Nick said that he really had to get to his house, he hadn't been home in over three weeks. He handed Kerry the box of diaries and was gone. Kerry took the box to the living room and settled down for a morning of reading.
She opened the box and found a stack of three diaries. On top of it all was a letter.
"Dear Kayla, or as you are now known, Kerry; It has been over 33 years since I last saw you. I cannot believe
how time has flown. I hop you can understand me not wanting to
see you. You are a part of my old life, a life full of painful
memories that would hurt far too much to re-visit. Enclosed
you will find my diaries from your first birthday to the day I left
you behind. These diaries will explain to you what
happened to you father and the reason your life is the way it is.
Please keep them and do not try to contact me.
It pains me not to see you but to remember would hurt more. Sincerely, S.S.B.
Kerry immediately opened the first diary. After so many years of wondering she would finally know everything. Taking a deep breath, Kerry opened the top diary.
September 19,1967
'Today we celebrated my dear Kayla's first birthday. She is such an active toddler, running around already! Although she didn't quite understand what was happening, she certainly enjoyed tearing into all the gifts. She also made quite a scene eating her birthday cake. Her entire head was matted with cake and her lovely red hair was brown with chocolate! It's such a shame that her father wasn't feeling well today. He slept most of the party and has quite a fever. He is also complaining of aches and pains in his joints. I will call the doctor tomorrow to see him. Meanwhile, I must make Kayla a snack before I put her down for the night.'
October 1,1967
'I've been so busy caring for my husband the past few weeks that I haven't had time to write. The doctors confirmed our worst fear today. James has contracted polio. The doctors do not feel he has the strength to pull through.'
Kerry looked away from the writing for a moment and in that second she knew exactly why she was the way she was. It explained the aches in her left leg and hip and the stiffness or as she now knew, the partial paralysis. She continued reading where she left off.
'I can only pray that this horrible disease does not attack my beautiful Kayla. She is already so active it would be awful on her.'
November 22,1967
'James died three days ago. He finally succumbed to the disease that robbed him of the ability to move everything except his face. The last two weeks were the worst but the only consolation is that he is now pain-free. The funeral was this morning and very small. Poor Kayla has no idea what is going on but has been fussy all day and not wanting to eat. She also said her first word today. When I went into her bedroom to wake her, she looked at my and clearly said "Mommy". Having her around as a distraction is making the loss of James somewhat easier.'
December 4,1967
'My precious Kayla is so sick. The exposure to James' polio has caused her to contract the disease. Doctor's are feeling very optimistic that she will pull through. I can only hope and pray that she does. I also pray that she does not suffer any side-effects. The only consolation I have is knowing I am safe from this disease, having it when I was a teenager gave me the immunity I need to stay strong for Kayla. I only wish that when she recovers I could run through the fields with her as James used to. But I know that is a fantasy that cannot be fulfilled. I will never go in the fields again, never mind get out of this wheelchair and run. My one hope is that Kayla does not suffer the crippling effects of this disease as I have.'
Kerry gasped out loud and her eyes brimmed with tears. Never had she ever imagined her birth mother as being disabled. She couldn't keep her eyes away for long, she immediately started reading again.
December 25,1967
'Kayla made it! She pulled through and this morning even looked at me and said "Mommy love!" It is the best gift anyone could have given me this Christmas morning. Doctors aren't sure yet about the side-effects. They guarantee that there is incredible weakness in her left leg and hip but they aren't really sure about everything else, for now it seems to be moving ok. They have told me she may end up in a wheelchair until she is old enough to learn to use crutches to walk. My sister has promised to help, otherwise I don't know how I would care for a disabled child. I will however, love her no matter what happens!"
Kerry closed the diary and stood up to get ready for work. She was dying to keep reading to find out why her mother had a change of heart but she decided it wasn't worth sacrificing her job to find out. She promised herself that she would continue reading as soon as she got home.