WHOSE DAUGHTER AM I

By W.M. Brown

Whose Daughter Am I? was written to minister to those that can identify with the character in the book. It is the goal of the author to demonstrate the love of God and that everyone has a purpose.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886440805

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Dedication

A Birth Mother's Promise

Sheila T. Battaglia

Introduction

Chapter 1: It's Almost Graduation

Chapter 2: Linda's Illness

Chapter 3: Dirk's Goal

Chapter 4: The Moment of Truth

Chapter 5: Changes in the Wallace House

Chapter 6: Alexis's Adoption

Chapter 7: Alexis's Growing Pains

Chapter 8: Lena Becomes Impossible to Live With

Chapter 9: Terry's Return

Chapter 10: Alexis on Her Own

Chapter 11: Living with the Sweeneys

Chapted 12: Alexis Attends Graduate School

Chapter 13: Stanley's Confession

Chapter 14: The Big Event

Chapter 15: Alexis Meets Her Father

Bibliography

About the Author

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WHOSE DAUGHTER AM I

W.M. Brown

ISBN 979-8-88644-079-9 (Paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88644-080-5 (Digital)

Copyright © 2023 W.M. Brown

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

Dedication

In loving memory of my mother, the late Mary Jane Brown. She epitomized the meaning of mother. She bore eight children, four girls and four boys, I, being the youngest of them. She worked tirelessly to ensure that our meals were prepared each day, our clothes were clean, and still managed to share her love with each child, giving everyone special attention. She taught us about God's unfailing love.

She was a devoted wife and daughter. She was humble yet classy, sophisticated, and generous. Thank you, Mama, for being the kind of mother that every child dreams of having and for showering your children with love and cherished memories that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

A Birth Mother's Promise

Sheila T. Battaglia

I promise from the first moment I knew you were there,

I would care for you with all my heart,

With our short time together we had to share.

I promise that I will provide you with all that is needed,

This means unconditional love, care, honesty, and prayer.

I promise when I made my final decision,

I knew what I had to do for you was right,

When our Lord blessed me with a mother's intuition.

I promise to pray that one day you will understand

It is because I love you so much

That I placed you in your new loving parents' hands.

I promise to watch over and love you for all of eternity,

And always remember that it's because of Jesus

We are given this opportunity.

Introduction

Adoption is a noble concept. There are people that have adopted children for many reasons—inability to have children, desired sex of a child, someone to love and nurture. On the other hand, there are some with the same intentions; however, they have abused their children physically and emotionally. Either way, it is abuse.

This book Whose Daughter Am I? was written to demonstrate the issues that many adopted children have and are experiencing daily. It depicts hidden issues that are only visible to the child and the adult that becomes involved assisting and providing protection and safety.

Millions of adopted children entrust their parents, guardians, and loved ones to provide a safe haven to be loved and feel a sense of belonging. In many instances, this is not close to the expectations and experiences that some children encounter.

We introduce you to Alexis, a child who was adopted and experienced every hurt imaginable. She often wonders if life is worth living, if she was born just to be abused, hurt, and constantly disappointed. She wonders why she was ever born, who she is, and finally "Whose daughter am I?"

Chapter 1

It's Almost Graduation

It's a sunny and hot humid day in Kansas City. You will hear no complaints. A few months earlier, it was thirty degrees, icy streets and snow piled to the curb. There are two days left before the end of school. Everyone is excited about making plans and sleeping during the summer. Linda Wallace is seventeen, a senior in high school who lives in an upper-middle-class neighborhood with a promising future. Linda plans to attend Harvard in the fall with plans of getting a doctorate in psychology. Linda is a good student and the eldest of three children. Joe Wallace is Linda's father. Joe is a publisher and owner of the local publishing company. Judy is Linda's mother. She is a pharmacy technician at one of the top hospitals in Missouri. Joe and Judy have two younger children, Saundra, fourteen, and Teddy is sixteen.

Linda is so excited that her graduation is this coming Friday evening. She hops out of bed and looks in the mirror, staring at herself with disbelief that she will be attending Harvard in the fall; a lifelong dream is finally coming true. She is suddenly startled by the sound of her alarm clock.

Oh my God. You scared me half to death.

She reaches for her robe at the foot of her bed and runs to the bathroom with the intention of beating Saundra and Teddy there.

Okay, great, those two are still sleeping. She chuckles.

After having her daily five-minute shower, she glances at the mirror in the bathroom, wipes her face again, looking in disbelief.

You did it. You really did it, talking to herself in the mirror. There is a knock at the door.

Would you come out of there?

All right, Teddy. I'm coming out.

It's really crazy living with two sisters. Spoiled brat.

Linda opens the bathroom door. You're the only boy, and you know that you get your way.

Really, Linda?

I'm not the one going away to Harvard in the fall with everyone making a big deal over you.

I think you're jealous.

Well, I have to get ready for school.

Teddy runs quickly into the bathroom, trying to get there before Saundra is awakened.

Joe is sitting at the table drinking his coffee when he looks up at Judy standing at the stove cooking eggs. He gazes at Judy, looks at the floor and back to Judy. He repeats this cycle several times.

What is wrong with you this morning, Joe?

I cannot believe that Linda is graduating Friday. Time has moved so quickly. Where did time go, Judy?

I can't believe it either. Our first child is going to Harvard. I'm so proud of her, I'm proud of all our children. I am excited because Linda is the first one. I feel like we have made some kind of accomplishment.

I know what you mean.

Linda walks through the door. Good morning, guys. What accomplishment?

We're just reminiscing about our children the way that you've grown up and how well you're doing. We're proud of all of you.

Teddy walks in the middle of the conversation. What are you and Daddy proud of?

The way our children have turned out. We're proud to be your parents.

The verdict is still out on Teddy. Linda laughs after she shares her morning joke.

Everyone laughs. Saundra and Linda love to tease Teddy because he is the only boy and the middle child.

What is going on, everyone? Saundra walks in on the laughter.

Just laughing at your brother. Sit down and eat your breakfast. Judy chuckles.

I'm always the last to know anything around here.

Saundra, we're just having a little morning fun. Joe stands up; he tells Saundra the same thing that he always tells her. You will always be Daddy's baby girl.

Daddy!

Well, you are.

I guess I will be on my way. Love you all and I will see you this evening.

Moving to the stove where Judy is standing, Joe says, I love you, baby. I will call you around lunchtime.

Judy smiles, winks, and kisses Joe.

I'll be waiting.

Oh gross. She hears it simultaneously from the children.

What will you guys have for breakfast this morning?

Nothing for me today. I am too excited to eat. Linda picks up her backpack and heads for the door.

You have to eat something, Linda, I don't want you fainting at your graduation.

I'm fine, I promise to eat a big lunch.

Great, I'll eat your breakfast. I will have pancakes, sausage, eggs, and a large orange juice please. Teddy, standing there with his arm around Judy's shoulder.

Judy looks at Teddy. Do you ever get tired of eating, Theodore?

Never, Mother.

Saundra laughs. Mother, you know that Teddy's stomach is a bottomless pit.

At least I'm not starving to get Phil from the wrestling team to notice me.

That is none of your business.

See you admit that you're starving because you have a crush on a guy that doesn't know that you exist.

You need to mind your business.

Yeah, it's true, it's true.

I told you, Teddy, to mind your own business.

All right, that's enough. Judy is standing there with one hand on her hip and the other pointing at Teddy.

Why do you always point at me?

I am the only male kid in the house, and I get blamed for everything.

I want you both to stop this heckling.

Teddy you're teasing Saundra. Stop it! Besides, I noticed that Saundra has started eating more yogurt at breakfast.

I don't believe that you're taking Teddy's side, Mom.

Teddy and Judy laugh.

I just have a taste for a strawberry yogurt. It's not because of Phil. I just want a yogurt. I'm not very hungry this morning.

I know, Saundra. I saw you eat a lot at dinner.

Mom! I'm not very hungry this morning. I'll take the yogurt to go. I have to meet Phil. I mean, I have to meet Jill.

One strawberry yogurt to go.

Have a nice day, Saundra.

I will. I really do have to see Jill.

Run along, don't keep Jill waiting.

Saundra grabs the yogurt and runs out of the door.

I told you that Saundra has a thing for Phil.

I see that, and she has it bad.

After school, Linda and her friend Tara is riding in Tara's car when they meet two guys sitting in a car at the traffic light. Tara looks to her right; immediately she makes eye contact with the two guys.

Look, Linda, eye candy.

Linda sees what Tara is referring to.

What's up?

I'm Zack.

I'm Tara.

Pull over so we can talk.

The light changes, and Tara goes through the intersection and pulls to the curb.

What are you doing Tara?

Zack asked me to pull over.

Zack parks behind Tara's car. He gets out of his car and walks to Tara's car.

What's up, ladies?

What's up?

What's your name?

I told you that I'm Tara.

What's your name? he said, looking at Linda.

Linda glances at Zack with little or no interest. I'm Linda, we have to go.

Who's your friend?

That's Dirk.

Is he shy?

No. Zack looks back at his parked car and yells, Hey, Dirk, come here, man.

Dirk gets out of the car, and Tara's mouth opens.

Dirk is 6'4" and 220 pounds, muscular build with olive skin and dimples.

When Zack introduces Dirk, Linda turns with the intention of giving him the same greeting that she gave Zack.

When Linda turns to say hello, she sees Dirk, and her expression changes.

Hi, I'm Tara, and this is my friend Linda.

Linda looks at Dirk. Hey.

How are you, Linda? I'm Dirk

I'm sorry that Zack asked you guys to pull over, now I'm glad that he did.

That's cool. Tara and I were just taking a ride after school.

What school do you attend?

Peterson High. What school do you attend?

I don't go to school. I work for the Johnson Corporation.

How long have you been out of school?

Three years. Are you trying to determine my age?

Well, I quit school three years ago and I have worked for the past two years. I'm 21, How old are you?

We're seniors, graduating next Friday, Tara blurts out.

Zack asks for Tara's phone number.

Are you working with Dirk?

No. I work for Simpson computer company. I graduated two years ago, and I attend computer tech during the evenings.

Zack is 6'0", 175 pounds, with mahogany skin tone and short, cropped hair. Tara is interested, especially when she discovered that Zack worked and attended school.

Tara is very petite—5'0" and 118 pounds, with a short sassy hairstyle, deep, dark complexion and a beautiful smile. She plans to become an engineer.

Linda is 5'7" and 120 pounds, long, gorgeous silky hair with bronze-colored skin and sexy eyes. She has plans to attend Harvard with the goal of getting a doctorate in psychology.

The couples decide to go for coffee. Linda becomes very smitten with Dirk. They exchange numbers and are mesmerized by each other.

A week later, Tara and Linda would graduate and would be ready to enjoy the summer and start their hard work in the fall. Tara has been accepted at Yale and wants to spend as much time with Linda as possible. The two has been friends since elementary and are both overachievers.

Tara starts to care deeply for Zack, but she isn't going to allow that to interfere with her goals. Zack is aware of that and plans to complete his education and agrees that they would one day have a future together.

Linda, on the other hand, is so smitten by Dirk that he would talk her into having sex one night while double-dating with Tara and Zack. Tara and Zack would always talk about it, but Tara manages to hold back.

One evening, Dirk talks Linda into going to his house for coffee. He plays A House Is Not a Home by Luther Vandross. The coffee becomes wine. They are kissing, hugging, and fondling.

Linda says no. Then yes. Then no again. Finally, she says yes. She spent the night in Dirk's arms.

The next morning, the sun was shining bright in her face, and she discovered that she had been there all night. She jumps out of bed, grabs her clothes, and looks under the bed for her slippers.

Dirk, Dirk, you have to take me home now.

Wait. No.

Now. Right now.

Dirk gets out of bed, reaches for his pants. He stops dressing.

Now, Dirk.

Linda, calm down.

No. I don't know what my parents are thinking. I know that they're worried. Oh, God. I have never messed up like this. You don't understand. Hurry. Get dressed."

Dirk gets dressed and they get in the car.

She starts thinking. Dirk never met my parents. He's older. He's a dropout with no real future. My father is going to flip out. My mother will kill me today. What example have I set for Saundra? Teddy will enjoy this because I have never been in trouble before. Linda, not now. Linda, please, not now.

Can you please tell me where you live?

Oh.

They get closer to the house. Linda becomes frantic.

Just let me out.

Teddy is on the side of the house, cleaning the yard. Linda jumps out of the car.

Bye.

Dirk is somewhat confused. He drives off.

Linda is trying to smooth her wrinkled clothes. Teddy walks to the front of the house.

Mama and Daddy are pissed to say the least. Where have you been all night?

Teddy, I have to talk to the folks. I can't deal with you now. Linda walks in, cautiously looking all around.

Judy is on the phone with Tara's mother, Brenda.

Brenda, have you heard from Linda?

No.

Is Tara there?

Yes. She's been here all night.

Why?

Linda didn't come home last night and she said that she was going out with Tara.

Tara came home about 11:30 p.m.

Linda hasn't been home all night. Her bed has not been slept in.

Ma.

Judy turns around.

Judy, are you still there?

Brenda, she just came in. I will call you later. Where have you been, young lady?

Ma, see, I-I was with a friend.

What friend?

You don't know him.

Him!

Yes. Him.

Joe hears Linda's voice and goes downstairs.

What is wrong with you, Linda? Have you lost your mind?

No, Daddy.

Where have you been? Why didn't you call?

Daddy and Mama, I know that I worried you, and I'm sorry. I should have called.

I thought you were with Tara. Judy looked like she wanted to kill Linda.

I was.

You were? Brenda said that Tara came home at 11:30 p.m. What time is it now?

It's ten o'clock.

Ten. Right!

Yes, Daddy.

What happened?

I went out with Tara. We went on a double date. We met some guys before graduation, and we've been seeing them and we decided to go out with them last night.

Why did Tara get home last night and you are just getting home this morning?

My date wanted me to go with him for coffee and Tara and her date went to eat.

Why did you guys split up?

I went for coffee and she went to eat.

Let's try this again. Why did her meal take less time than you having coffee?

I went back to his apartment for coffee.

What happened?

What do you mean?

You know what I mean, girl.

We listened to music…

And?

Drink coffee… I mean, wine.

Wine!

Yes, sir.

What happened next?

We had sex.

Sex!

Yes, Daddy.

I fell asleep, and when I awakened, it was morning.

Protected or unprotected.

Protected.

Who is this boy? Where does he attend school?

He doesn't attend school.

What does he do?

He works.

How old is he?

Twenty-one.

Did you say twenty-one?

Yes, Daddy.

Why are we hearing of him now?

We have been hanging out and having fun.

"We have never heard of this man before today. Why?"

I wanted to tell you, and I never knew how.

Linda, we're disappointed and hurt by your actions. I need you to leave my presence. Go to your room, and we'll talk later.

Linda walks away with her head hung down with dread, disappointment, and shame.

What are we going to do, Joe?

We have never crossed this before. I never thought of crossing this bridge. Joe flops down in the chair by the table in the kitchen.

One thing we are definitely going to do is call this boy, correction. Call this man to come here for a talk. Next, you need to talk with Linda and determine if they used protection. After that, we will find somewhere for Saundra and Teddy to go tonight.

Now!

I need to calm down because I feel that I am about to explode.

Judy walks to where Joe is sitting and starts massaging his broad shoulders. Joe, please calm down. Joe takes a deep breath.

What's going on, everyone? Saundra stands there, anticipating an answer.

Saundra, we just heard some disappointing news.

Disappointing is right!

What happened?

We will discuss it with you later.

Much later, I might add. Joe stands up with a somber look that raises Saundra's curiosity. Saundra looks in the kitchen.

What's for breakfast? It's after 10:00 a.m.

I'm sorry, Saundra. I will make breakfast for you and Teddy. Where is Teddy?

He's cleaning the yard

Tell him to clean up for breakfast.

Joe grumbles the words while looking like he wanted to kill someone.

Saundra goes outside calling Teddy. Teddy, where are you?

Over here, Sherlock! What's up?

"Daddy said to clean up for breakfast. Daddy seems mad. They