The Baby Disappears

Richard Bothel provides fictional snapshots of the isolated populations living in the river bottoms and backwoods of Texas.

Clomp, clomp.

Ada had drifted to sleep and awoke to Jonah’s heavy steps coming up the porch steps. She knew it was him. No one else around was large enough to vibrate the whole house when he walked through it. Looking to the cradle, Adam seemed to be still asleep. She turned her head to the other side of the bed and there was Rosa. She had brought the old rocking chair in from the porch and was sitting there rocking the little one.

“Sounds more like it. No more of that blasted screaming.” Jonah came into the room and stood at the foot of the bed.

Ada said nothing.

“Glad to see all the hoopla’s over. Looks like Rosa has things under control.

Rosa looked up with a big smile. “You have beautiful girl baby.”

It was too late to stop her. The words came out of her mouth revealing the truth that Ada did not know how to handle.

There had been almost a smile on Jonah’s face. His scowl now could turn a person to stone. “What.” This exclamation shook the pane of glass in the window.
It wasn’t a question that came from his mouth. He was mad, disgusted…Ada knew of the tirades he could throw.

“Go, old woman.” He walked over to Rosa and grabbed the infant from her arms. He handled the little girl more like a football than a new born. “I’m sure Ada was glad you were here, but it’s time for you to go. Leave now.”

You could tell that Rosa was also tired from the ordeal. She said nothing. She slowly rocked forward in her chair, stood up, and made her way to the front door. Ada laid there and said nothing. She wanted to thank the old woman, but was afraid to say anything. Her body froze with fear.

“How could you do this to me? He pointed to the bundle in his arms.”

Ada wanted to respond, but she knew there was nothing in this world that could change this moment. Her sad brown eyes looked at Jonah. She held her arms out for her daughter…or to Jonah. She was just looking for positive contact from someone.

Jonah said nothing. He turned and sauntered from the room with his huge strides. Ada lay in her bed feeling more alone that she had ever felt in her life. Adam still lay sleeping in his crib. Ada turned her worn body toward him with an empty stare. It was over. She would never see Jessica again.