Finding Zoe by Brandi Rarus

Author:Brandi Rarus [Rarus, Brandi and Harris, Gail]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781940363455
Publisher: BenBella Books, Inc.

Chapter Seven

LOVE’S SACRIFICE

EVEN THOUGH BJ’s parents said that they would support him if he decided to raise the baby, given the circumstances, his father strongly believed that placing the baby for adoption would be best. His mother did too, yet deep down, part of her would also have been very happy with the alternative. With her three kids all grown, there was something very appealing to her about having a little baby—her grandchild—crawling around the house. To her, family was everything.

His parents were right by his side from the very start, attending the first meeting with Jess’s pastor and then several others, some of which were incredibly difficult. However, they made it very clear to BJ that it was his situation and not theirs, and that he had to decide what he wanted to do.

The pastor looked at them and said, “In God’s eyes, the baby must not be aborted.” It was a Sunday and still warm the day they drove up to Jess’s house for the meeting. When BJ received the phone call from Jess’s father inviting them to come, he was really psyched, hoping that he and Jess could finally talk. There was so much he wanted to get out in the open. BJ and his parents, along with Jess and her parents, all sat in the living room listening attentively.

“I understand that you went to the Caring Pregnancy Center, Jess,” the pastor said. “Did you find it helpful?”

“I think so,” she replied, looking down.

“Have you gained any clarity about what you want to do?”

“Well, I’m not positive,” she said nervously, “but I’m thinking about placing the baby for adoption.”

BJ closed his eyes and sank back in the loveseat.

The pastor leaned in toward him and said, “How about you, my son? What are your feelings on the matter?”

BJ sat up straight and then said, “Well, I guess I was thinking about raising the baby . . . with Jess . . . or if she doesn’t want to be involved . . . by myself.”

“It’s a big decision,” his mother interjected, “and perhaps adoption is the best choice.” She looked at her husband and continued. “However, we told BJ that if he wants to raise the baby and can work things out with Jess, we will help him in any way we can.”

Jess’s parents coiled back in their seats. From the very start, her mother’s protective instincts were on fire. She seemed to be biting her tongue, as if she were ready to lay into BJ, ready to blame him for the whole situation. Because of BJ’s reticence, and the fact that he was still living with his parents at twenty-two, Jess’s parents both thought that his parents were pushing him to raise the baby because they wanted to raise it, and not him. Perhaps they picked up on his mother’s mixed emotions.

The meeting was more for the parents, anyway. After Jess and BJ both said their piece, they took a backseat to them. Their parents, of course, were only trying to do the right thing for their children.

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