Replacement Baby Read Online Free Page B

went to Spain. Next to that sat was a blue and white ceramic pair of Dutch shoes, as well as a glass Eiffel Tower. A small china tea cup with red and pink roses from England sat beside a tiny ceramic red Double Decker bus. There was a miniature Cuckoo clock from somewhere in the Alps and a wooden Neuschwanstein Castle. The last item on the shelf was a thimble with Queen Elizabeth II’s face painted on it.
    Except for Spain, these are places that I’ve only dreamed about. Lisa reflected on the tiny items on the shelf. I do want to see the world. I want to explore and be free. But Mother won’t even let me go to college a few hours away. Am I going to be trapped here forever?
    Lisa lifted the china teacup and examined it. She loved the gold edges and the way that it felt cool in her hand. More than any other place, Lisa had always wanted to visit England. She had often found herself flipping to the map of the British Isles when she was looking in the atlas. She carefully placed the teacup back on the shelf and picked up the red bus. Wiping dust off of it, she put it back and placed the thimble on her finger and then dusted off the Big Ben pencil sharpener. Lisa did not share her mother’s cleanliness standards.
    What can I do now? What? She crossed her arms and stared at the faded green striped wallpaper. What if I just went to London? I’ve always wanted to go. I wouldn’t need to tell Mother. I could leave one day when she is out. I’ll fly to England. Then I can find Loretta Jennings and find out exactly who the missing baby was and why those newspaper clippings were hidden in Mother’s closet.
    Lisa heard the door downstairs slam. She glanced out the window and spotted Mother walking down the street, her shopping basket on her arm. Good , Lisa thought. She’ll be gone awhile if she’s going shopping. Reaching under her dresser, Lisa grabbed a small glass jar. Inside of it were nickels, dimes, and dollar bills. This was her leftover Christmas and birthday money from the last few years. She slowly counted and recounted each coin and bill. In all, she had only $55.42.
    “Gosh, not enough,” Lisa whispered to herself. What can I do, oh, what can I do? Lisa asked herself. I’ve got to get out of here. I can’t take it anymore.
    Remembering a folded piece of paper which she had shoved in the back of her desk drawer, Lisa rushed over to the other side of the room. She pulled open the desk drawer and rifled through sticky notes, pencils, and rubber bands until she found the tiny white paper. Opening it up, she rushed out of the room and down the hallway. She scampered downstairs and picked up the telephone in the kitchen.
    “Hello?” answered the familiar, gentle voice.
    “Hello, Mrs. Harrison?” Lisa spoke, her voice shaking. “It’s me, Lisa. Lisa Porter. I need your help.”
    “Yes, Lisa, of course,” Mrs. Harrison replied. “How can I help you, dear? Are you okay?”
    Lisa hurriedly explained about the box she found the day before and expressed her desire to go to London for a fresh start. She shared her suspicion that she could possibly be the kidnapped baby Rose. She briefly told Mrs. Harrison about Mother’s abusive actions and about how she wanted to escape.
    “Well, Lisa, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.” Mrs. Harrison spoke slowly. “You say that your mother is out?”
    “Yes.”
    “Good, good.” Mrs. Harrison went on. “I’ve wanted to get you away from that place for years, but you were underage. Now that you are an adult, I can finally help you. When do you think you’ll come?”
    “Now, if I can,” Lisa told her. “Mother went out with her shopping basket, and it’s Saturday. Saturday is her big shopping day, and she always takes three hours or more.”
    “If you think that it’s safe, then come at once, dear,” Mrs. Harrison said, her voice tense. “I’ll help you however I can. Please write down my address. I live in Queens now.” Mrs. Harrison gave her