My infant had not been recorded as deceased in the surviving neonatal
transfer log.
He had been transferred to another facility.
Alive.
PART 22 — THE SIGNATURE
Then came the adoption records.
With legal assistance and Aaron’s participation, we obtained additional
documentation.
A consent form contained what appeared to be my signature.
It wasn’t mine.
I knew immediately.
The handwriting resembled my mother’s.
But resemblance was not proof.
A document examiner later concluded there were significant indications
that the signature was not written by me.
The old case required careful legal review.
Decades had passed.
Some records were missing.
Some participants were dead.
There would be no instant courtroom miracle.
But the truth was emerging.
PART 23 — WHY?
The question remained.
Why would my mother and Paul allow my living child to be placed for
adoption?
Helen remembered something.
Money.
At the time, Paul had crushing debts.
Our marriage was unstable.
