Memory Awake or the girl who fell out of heaven (Part 9)

Twenty-three years ago

"I can't take this any more, Frankie. I just can't."

"I'm sorry, Rose."

Rose is curled up on their bed, crying. Frankie is standing at the wall of windows, staring into the night sky.

"I though this time..."

"I know, I know. Maybe we just weren't meant to be parents."

"Don't you say that!" Rose shouts, sitting up and wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

Frankie turns around saying, "Calm down, Rose." He leans against the window, crossing his ankles. I'm just saying, we've been trying for almost eight years now. Perhaps it's time to just live the life we have together. Just the two of us. You can get more involved in my business, or charities, or pick up your painting again. You were really good when we first met."

"We could adopt."

Frankie grimaces and turns back to the window. "You know how I feel about that. You never know what you're going to get."

"You don't know that if you give birth to your own child either, Frankie."

"Well, you can trace your history more easily is all I'm saying. You adopt and who knows what's in the kid's past."

"There is genetic testing..."

"After you already have the kid and can't send it back."

"It."

"The child. You know what I'm saying."

"I was born to be a mother, Frankie."

"Maybe you were born to be my wife, Rose."

"It's not enough."

"Yeah. You've made that pretty clear."

"You know what I mean, Frankie." Rose gets up and crosses to Frankie. She puts her arms around him though he remains stiff, looking out the window. "I want us to be a family. You would be a great father, Frankie." She squeezes him and says softly. "You'd be nothing like your dad. I know that's what you're really worried about."

He relaxes a little into her. "I don't know."

"I know." He turns into her arms.

"I love you, Rose."

"I love you, too."

Eight months later...

"Frankie, don't be mad."

"What did you buy and how much did it cost?"

"Haha. Nothing. Yet." Rose pauses. "I've been investigating adoption."

"For a while now. I know."

"Well, I found a place. Very exclusive. Very costly, but the cost ensures you know exactly what you're getting - as much as if we were giving birth ourselves."

"Hmmm."

"Will you meet the director with me? She'll answer any questions you have. It's a dream come true. We have an appointment Friday morning."

Frankie shakes his head but says, "Whatever makes you happy, Rose."

Two days later...

"What lovely grounds!"

"They must spend a fortune on landscaping."

"Frankie!"

"What? The forest was obviously designed and is well-pruned and that sea of green just ahead is perfectly manicured. We passed the gate two or three miles ago and I still don't see the building." They turn a curve and he sees a huge structure looming in the distance. "Nevermind, there it is."

As they draw closer, they see a red brick mansion with myriad wings sprawling over several acres.

"Wow."

"This is an adoption agency?"

"Facilitator."

"Right. How did you find this place?"

"I didn't, actually. They found me. I figured Alexa and my search history brought us together."

"Hmmm."

"I couldn't find any information online about them independent of their website which can only be accessed by the restricted link they sent me. But that makes sense given they are both exclusive and expensive."

"Hmmm."

Frankie parks the car on the circle pavement just before it switches to stone in front of the building. The red door opens and a woman exits. Rose notes a navy Palmerston dress with a boat collar, asymmetrical draping and bracelet sleeves showing off a diamond studded gold Buccellati cuff.

She whispers to Frankie, "Apparently they pay the staff well, too."

"Mr. and Mrs. Guyton! I'm Evie Mortimer. Call me Evie. Welcome to Elysian Fields."