“I don’t know.” Chloe’s voice was carefully controlled, but I could see the worry in her eyes. “I got back from a farm call about twenty minutes ago. Leo was already here. Sarah said Jenna dropped him off in the car park this morning with his backpack.”
My stomach dropped. “She left him here?”
“Sarah didn’t know what to do, but she knew I’d be back soon, so she brought him in here to see the puppies.” Chloe’s hand moved protectively to Leo’s shoulder. “I didn’t look through his backpack or ask him too much. I was more concerned with making sure Leo was okay and getting you here.”
I looked at my son, who seemed calm and content, sitting with the puppies.
“Leo,” I said gently, “where’s your mommy?”
“She had to go away,” Leo said matter-of-factly, not looking up from the puppy he was petting. “She said you’d come get me and that I could visit the animal babies while I waited.”
The casual way he said it made my chest tight. Like being abandoned was just another part of his day.
I reached for Leo’s backpack, my hands unsteady as I unzipped it. Inside were a few changes of clothes, the toys I bought for him, and a manila envelope with my name handwritten on it.
I tore the envelope open. Inside was a single-page letter, typed and formal.
To Sam Mitchell and Arthur Halloway,
This letter confirms my intention to voluntarily terminate my parental rights to my son Leo David Blake.
I understand this must be processed through the Illinois family court system, as Leo has not been a resident of Oregon for the required six months to file in that jurisdiction. Therefore, the purpose of this letter is to formally document my intentions and decisions regarding Leo’s care.
Effective immediately, I am transferring physical custody of Leo to Sam Mitchell, his father, as confirmed by a paternity test undertaken in Willowbrook. I acknowledge that I have left Leo in Sam’s care and I authorize Sam to make all decisions regarding Leo’s welfare, education, medical care, and living arrangements until such time as this matter is resolved through the appropriate legal channels.
I have retained legal counsel in Illinois. All future contact regarding Leo or this matter should be directed to Patricia Hoffman of Hoffman & Associates, Chicago, Illinois.
I understand the legal implications of this decision.
Jenna Blake
I read it three times, my hands shaking harder with each pass. Then I looked up at Chloe, who was watching me with worried eyes, and handed her the letter without a word.
She read it quickly, her expression cycling through shock, anger, and finally something fiercely protective. When she looked up at me, I could see the question in her eyes.
I nodded toward the hallway outside her office. Chloe immediately understood. She caught Sarah’s eye through the office window and gestured her in.
“Leo, I love puppies so much,” Sarah said, settling down on the floor beside him. “Do you think it would be okay if I sat with you for a little while? You can tell me all about them while Chloe and Sam talk for a minute.”
Leo looked up at her, then at the puppies, then nodded solemnly. “You have to be very gentle,” he instructed. “Dr. Chloe showed me how.”
“I will be,” Sarah promised. “Can you teach me the right way?”
As soon as they stepped out, Chloe closed the door behind them. We stood in the hallway, the sounds of the clinic muffled around us.
“She’s terminating her parental rights,” I said quietly. “Left Leo with us and wants to make it permanent.”
“She just… she can’t just drop him off with a letter,” Chloe said, still holding the paper.
“Apparently, she can.” I pulled out my phone. “We need to call Arthur.”
Arthur answered on the second ring. “Sam. Everything okay?”
“Not even close.” I put the phone on speaker so Chloe could hear. “Jenna dropped Leo off at Chloe’s clinic this morning and left him. There’s a letter saying she’s terminating her parental rights and transferring custody to me.”
A long pause. “She did what?”
“Left him. With a letter. It says she knows it has to go through Illinois courts, but she’s confirming her intentions and authorizing me to make all decisions for Leo in the meantime.” I looked down at the paper in my hands. “She’s retained a lawyer in Chicago. All contact is supposed to go through her.”
