Annie's Truth (Touch of Grace) by Shriver Beth

Author:Shriver, Beth [Shriver, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Adoption, Amish, Christian, Fiction
Publisher: Charisma House
Published: 2012-06-01T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

RUDY TALKED ANNIE into staying a couple more weeks. “Give the agency a chance, then go,” he’d advised. The phone call had come, and now as she sat in the social worker’s office, it seemed he was right in asking her to stay.

A woman walked in, pulled a sweater around her thick waist, and held out a pudgy hand. “I’m Mrs. Mason. And you are Annie Beiler?”

Annie nodded. “And this is Rudy Glick.” When she gestured to Rudy, he took Mrs. Mason’s hand. Annie glanced his way, trying to figure out his demeanor. Something had been said on the phone when he took the call. It couldn’t have been much due to confidentiality, but whatever it was, Rudy was in a somber mood.

The short, round woman sat down, scratched her red curls, and pursed her lips. “There has been a response to your registry, Ms. Beiler.”

“Annie. Call me Annie.” She asked the Lord for strength, not knowing why.

Mrs. Mason looked into her eyes and held on to a piece of paper at the tips with both hands. “Your birth mother has responded. She’s has given you permission to see all legal documents involving your birth and all other circumstances involved.”

“What other circumstances?” Annie felt a numbing in her fingers that traveled up her arms.

Mrs. Mason handed Annie a file. “This is the police report.” She paused when Annie did. “Or I can just tell you.”

The woman held her composure, but her gaze dropped, telling Annie it must be best that way. “Your mother gave you up because she had been through a traumatic experience. I want you to understand that. She was not much older than you when you were born.”

Annie couldn’t imagine giving up a child but tried to hear the explanation with open ears.

“Annie, your mother was raped.” Mrs. Mason looked at her intently.

Darkness slid across Annie’s mind. Her thoughts paralyzed. Then a thought crept in: You’re tainted. Then another: Not worthy. And the worst—You’re different. You’ll never be good enough to go back now.

Rudy squeezed her hand. “Annie.”

She gazed at him, her focus darting from one eye to the other. His gray eyes blinked, bringing her into the moment—a moment she couldn’t bear.

“It’s hard news, Annie. I know. And I’m sorry.” Mrs. Mason’s compassionate gaze brought the tears.

Annie stood and walked to the door. She found her feet taking her to a bathroom. Locking the stall door, she slammed her back against the metal divider and slid down, crouching in the corner. She let the sobs come with the tears of humiliation and shame. How could this be, Lord? Why did You let this happen to me?

A knock on the stall door made her flinch.

“Annie, come out. Let’s go home.”

Rudy’s voice was stern, filled with concern. With no hesitation, he rapped again. “Annie.”

“I’m here.” Annie pushed herself up to standing. The snap of the lock made her hesitate. She didn’t want to see his face. It was easier before he cared, before he got involved.

The door eased open, and Annie lifted her eyes to his for a second, just to show him she could.

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