Dear Emily (Forever Family) Read Online Free

them back out.
    “The only way this is going to work, Car, is if you talk. So talk,” he says.
    Callie chimes in. “Honey, whatever you have to say, we are here for you. Please.”
    Becca’s eyes are puffy and red; they’re pleading with me. She looks at me and silently nods.
    I can’t draw this out any longer. I chug the pink wine and then I just blurt it out.
    “I was raped on Halloween.”
    In unison, the three of them suck in their breath and with that most of the air from the room. I don’t quite think this was what they expected to hear. Manny’s eyes are so wide I can see the bright blue and a large rim of white. His jaw is clenching, and I can see his cheeks pulse with fury. His hands are in fists, and his knuckles are white. Becca is shaking her head and repeating the word ‘no’. Callie crawls over to me and wraps her arms around me from behind. She softly whispers into my ear, “It’s OK honey. I know, I know, I know.” She knows? I look at her, and she just shakes her head softly at me and puts her hand on my cheek. “We are here for you. Tell us what happened Car.”
    I tell them everything. Everything up to and including the rape. Everything up until I blacked out. Every. Thing. I’m physically drained and exhausted. When I have no more tears to cry, my friends cry them for me.
    Manny is the first to say something. “He didn’t use a condom.”
    Statement.
    Fact.
    “No,” I whisper. “No, he didn’t.” I stifle a sob.
    Callie immediately jumps in. “Honey, you need to get tested. You need an exam. We’ll get you in there first thing tomorrow. It’s simple. Discreet. I’ll take care of it.” Callie is an intern at the on-campus medical clinic. She will take care of it.
    Becca, still holding my hands covered in our joint tears, says, “I’m coming too. We are doing this together. We are ALL getting tested.” She smiles softly and squeezes my hands.
    I nod. That’s about all I can do.
    Manny demands, “Carly, you need to tell someone what happened. Campus security. The police.”
    “No!” I cut him off. “I’m not saying a word to anyone. You are the only ones who can know. I just can’t.” The tears continue to stream down my cheeks as my friends comfort me.
    The four of us huddle on my bed, and we spend the rest of the night in silence as we polish off the entire gallon of pink wine.

Spring Lake, New Jersey
    Present
    Age 29
    Dear Emily,
    I am so excited to meet you today! I’ll see you for the first time during Tabitha’s ultrasound.
    Oh Emily! I can’t wait for you to wrap your tiny fingers around mine. For you to squeeze them and know that I’m here right in front of you.
    I have tons of plans to begin furnishing and decorating your room! I hope you like pink because that is going to be a key theme!
    I’m overwhelmed with emotion as I write this. I know that Tabitha will not get to experience bringing you home and wrapping you in your soft, fluffy blankets. My heart breaks for her. I can only hope that she finds the peace and happiness that she deserves.
    I can’t wait to see you today Emily!
    Love and kisses,
    Momma
    It’s eight o’clock in the morning, and I’m so ready for today! I cannot wait to see our precious daughter. I look over at my sleeping husband while a tear silently slides down my cheek as I remember the events leading up to today.
    About a month after ‘The Call’, our home phone rings at the time we planned for our first conference call with Tabitha and Seth.
    Kyle answers the phone after a half of a ring. “Hello?” he says and quickly converts the call to speaker.
    “Hi Carly and Kyle, this is Anna from Home Sweet Home Adoptions, and I have Tabitha and Seth on the line with me as well.” I hear the warmth in Anna’s voice, and it begins to soothe me although my feet are bouncing wildly on the floor as I’m planted at the kitchen table.
    “Hi,” I say as my voice cracks.
    Anna continues. “I will be on this call as a silent