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tote bag. “You are exactly right. This wasn’t what you asked for. But it’s my job to find a home for this baby. Surely you can understand my point of view? My priority is to always put the children first,” she added as she stood up. “I couldn’t resist coming out here and giving it a try.”
    â€œI can’t fault you,” Ben said quietly. “I also feel sorry for the babe. But I have to admit to not being too happy with you at the moment, Bernie. We thought you had news for us. Poor Judith here had her hopes up. Please don’t—”
    â€œI’m okay, Ben,” Judith said quickly. “Bernie is exactly right. A baby’s needs are far more important than my wishes at the moment.” Turning to Bernie, she smiled. “And you’re right. I can’t fault you for trying.”
    Bernie’s eyes warmed. “Thank you for understanding, Judith. When I have some news about available babies, I’ll be sure to let you know.”
    It all sounded so final. “It’s going to be a long wait, isn’t it?”
    â€œYes. It’s as I told you from the beginning—adopting a child isn’t for sissies,” she said with a slight smile. “It’s a long process. It could be weeks or months—but it will most likely be at least a year. But don’t despair. I feel certain that sooner or later your day will come.”
    As those words sank in, Bernie picked up her tote from the couch and slipped it onto her shoulder. She already had her keys in one hand, and her cell phone in the other. It was obvious that the social worker wasn’t going to rest until she had a home for baby James.
    Suddenly, Judith knew what she had to do. “Wait!” she called out.
    Bernie paused. “Yes?”
    â€œUm, I know James needs a home right away, but could you let us have until tomorrow morning to talk about this?”
    A true look of sympathy entered Bernie’s expression. “It’s only to foster him, Judith. I can’t promise that he’ll ever be up for adoption. . . .”
    â€œI know. But he needs a home, jah? ” Giving in to temptation, Judith reached out and gripped Ben’s hand. “We need a baby to care for. I mean, I need a baby. Can we call you tomorrow? Please?”
    â€œWell—”
    â€œIn the morning?” Judith asked quickly. “Ben and I . . . We could call you at seven. That’s not too early, right? I’ll go right down to the phone shanty and give you a call.”
    Ben whispered in her ear. “Are you sure about this, dear?”
    Judith nodded. Suddenly, she knew she’d never been more sure about anything in her whole life.
    Bernie bit her bottom lip as she looked from Ben to Judith. “Are you sure you even need a conversation? I’m not trying to hurt your feelings, but if you’re not serious—”
    Ben squeezed Judith’s hand, answering a hundred questions without Judith needing to say a single word. “We are serious,” he said. “Please, give us until seven tomorrow morning.”
    The line that had been between Bernie’s brows slowly eased. “All right. Until seven. You have my cell phone number, right?”
    â€œIt’s written down in about five different places,” Ben joked. “Believe me, we have it.”
    â€œUntil tomorrow morning then,” Bernie said as she turned the door handle and headed out the door.
    Only when the social worker’s car disappeared down the road did Ben speak again. “Judith, what are you thinking?”
    â€œThat I need this baby, Ben.”
    A myriad of expressions appeared on his face. After staring at her hard, he pointed to the couch. “In that case, I think we’d better sit back down. It seems we have a lot to talk about and little time to do it.”
    A t four o’clock that afternoon, Christina sat down with a sigh at one of the