by John Kelly
Fifteen hundred miles north of Brisbane, Irene Campbell, a pretty blue eyed blond, had returned from the supermarket to her small home in suburban Cairns. When the phone rang, she was unpacking the weekly groceries for herself and her husband James. James and Irene had been married two years. They were a happy couple, both employed, earning a good income and living in their modest three-bedroom weatherboard house. They enjoyed a small circle of friends, the respect of their neighbours, and while not wealthy, were untroubled financially. It was a year earlier, that James' widowed father died suddenly one afternoon while playing bowls. Being the only child he inherited his father's estate, which enabled him and Irene to buy their house without the need for a mortgage and still have money left over. Their lives might have been idyllic but for the one thing that was missing. James was unable to have children. They had applied to the Department of Children's Services to adopt and completed the various interview stages, but the opportunities for adoption were scarce and many other couples were doing the same. It was a three-year waiting list. Three years! There were alternatives. They could travel to Thailand, the Philippines. Others, they were told, had done this, and were delighted with the results. They knew of two couples who had successfully adopted overseas in quick time. But that avenue they felt was not for them. It was on a business trip to Brisbane some months earlier, that a fellow employee, who knew about James' efforts to adopt, introduced him to Julie Macleod. Something could be done locally for a reasonable sum of money he was told. There were mothers willing to adopt outside the system for the right price, he was told. There were people like Julie Macleod, who were willing to act as brokers. James was curious enough to contact Julie, and that meeting subsequently led to a meeting between Julie and Irene one weekend when Julie flew to Cairns for a departmental conference. That weekend changed everything for Irene. At last she could see the possibilities. The prospect of adopting an Australian born child quickly was intoxicating, so much so that the illegal realities of the transaction were clouded, overlooked, and pushed into the background.
When the phone rang that afternoon, a bolt of adrenalin shot through Irene's body. Something deep inside convinced her that this call was going to change her life forever. She hurriedly placed the groceries on the kitchen table, picked up the receiver and felt a touch dizzy, when she heard Julie Macleod's voice. Her heart leapt. The expectation was breathtaking. She had dreamt this call would come. It occupied her mind constantly. She and James were prepared. They had converted the second bedroom into a nursery in anticipation.
"Can you be in Brisbane tomorrow afternoon?" Julie asked Irene. The shock of the question presented in all its bluntness stiffened her.
"That soon? I don't know. I'll have to get in touch with James." Irene replied. Julie was firm. "The opportunity is here and now. The baby is only four months old. It's a girl. You wanted a girl, didn't you? You will have to move now or miss out."
There was a pause at the other end. Julie could hear Irene breathing heavily, the stress of the moment bearing down heavily upon her. Then she heard Irene suck in a deep breath. "Yes, okay. We'll be there tomorrow morning. I'll call you from the airport when we arrive," Irene said.
"We'll need to get some money from you," Julie added almost as an afterthought. "That's okay, we're right with that," Irene answered.
When Irene put down the phone she could not think straight. Her mind was so pre-occupied with the expectation of having a daughter to mother that she took several minutes before realizing that she needed to contact her husband immediately. Recovering from the initial excitement she made the call. James was in the office tied up in a sales meeting. The office receptionist advised her as much, but Irene would have none of it. "Tell him it's an emergency," she said. The receptionist broke into the meeting to say that an urgent call had come for Mr. Campbell. James excused himself from the meeting and took the call at the reception desk. "We have to be in Brisbane tomorrow morning," Irene said. James was stunned. He asked the receptionist to transfer the call to an empty office. "What's happened?" he said, sitting down in the empty office. "Julie rang," Irene replied. "There's a four month old girl. It has to be done quickly. She wants us there tomorrow." Speaking quietly into the phone, James said, "That's not going to be easy. I'll have to make up a reason." Irene was ready with a plausible excuse. "Tell them my mother is seriously ill and I'm too upset to go there alone," she said.
The following morning, James and Irene Campbell flew to Brisbane. It was a two-hour flight, marred by some minor turbulence, which under any other circumstances would have been somewhat disconcerting for Irene. She did not like air travel. Given her current psychological state however, she hardly noticed it. On arrival at Brisbane airport, James telephoned Julie and one hour later the three of them met at a corner coffee house close to Andrea's flat. Julie went through the details of the transaction they were about to undertake. "And she knows we are coming this morning?" James asked. "Yes," Julie answered, "I spoke to her last night. Now, remember she hasn't met me yet, and thinks I am from the Department of Children's Services, so it's important that you let me do the talking. We should not stay long, but you need to convince her by your actions and manner that you will be the perfect parents for Mary. More importantly, when I signal that it is time to go, don't oversell your selves. Be simple, straightforward, and say something like, 'hope we see you soon,' or something like that." Irene was very tense. "What happens after that?" she asked. "We will talk with her again later today and if she is willing to go ahead, we will arrange for the hand-over tomorrow." Julie answered. "Is she still breast-feeding?" Irene asked. "No, she didn't like it. She weaned Mary after about six weeks." Irene looked relieved. "I have everything I need with me, formula, nappies and things. We have everything ready back home as well," she said nervously. Julie felt her tension and tried to reassure her. "You will be fine. Just be yourself. I'm sure Andrea is just as apprehensive as you are."
When the details were agreed to, they walked the short distance to the flat, and knocked on the door. When Andrea opened the door, Louise Whiltshire was with her, and Julie Macleod, introduced herself as a representative from the Department of Children's Services. Louise immediately took control and invited everyone inside. Andrea was nervous, Irene was tense. But for the cold, calculated calm of both Julie and Louise, who handled those first tentative steps across the threshold of uncertainty, the moment could well have descended into a pathetic slush of soap opera. But it didn't. With consummate ease and professionalism, the two older women brought an air of relaxation and calm into the room. Then, from the moment Andrea brought Mary Therese into the lounge room and placed her into the arms of Irene, something happened. Irene was transformed.
Never could a moment have been so joyous. Never could there be a time past or future, she thought, that could surpass this moment. She was speechless, as Mary Therese's tiny eyes lifted to look into her very heart and soul. James moved across to be by her side, and share the moment. Such warmth, such wonder. There was at once, a warm, friendly, and sympathetic demeanour that radiated from them both, and created an immediate and favourable impression with Andrea. Later as everyone sat and enjoyed the atmosphere with morning tea, James described to Andrea his employment as a sales representative, and Irene, a receptionist, who couldn't wait to give up work to care for a baby. They looked upon Mary Therese very lovingly, and held her in their arms. There was an instant bonding and Irene knew there and then, that Mary Therese was just the baby she was hoping for. Andrea began to relax, and found herself drawn to Irene, unable to fault her. She was impressed with James, and saw them as a very appealing couple.
It was Julie who decided that it was time to bring the meeting to an end. As Irene handed Mary Therese back to Andrea, she felt as if she was giving her up. "I hope we will see you very soon," she whispered to Mary.
When they left, a euphoric feeling of anticipation swept through Andrea's fragile emotional state. 'It all seems to be working out. I can go home soon. The baby
will be well cared for. I will be better too. I can get on with my life. I can study, get some qualifications, and start afresh.'
When Julie Macleod and the Campbells were gone, Louise decided to allow Andrea some space. She left the flat to return to work. Over the space of the next few hours, Andrea relaxed. It was for her, the most relaxed she had felt since coming to Brisbane. It was as if the journey was at its end. Early that afternoon, the phone rang. It was Louise.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yes," Andrea replied.
"What do you think about the couple you saw?" Do you think they were okay?"
"They were lovely."
"Do you want to see more couples or would that only confuse you?"
"I'm not sure," Andrea replied.
"The Campbells are just over the moon," Louise continued. "They would really love to adopt Mary." Louise exuded enthusiasm, trying to persuade Andrea to agree to proceed with the Campbells. "If you are happy with them, we could proceed straight away. If you were to see more couples, it would slow things down and only unsettle you I think."
"How long does it take to get approval?" Andrea asked.
"The agency will file for approval immediately. Today!"
"So soon? Will the lady who first came to see me, be coming back?"
"What lady?" Louise asked.
"The lady from the agency. Her name was Elizabeth. She took a photo of Mary Therese."
Louise was confused. To the best of her knowledge no other person had made contact with Andrea. She steadied herself.
"Ummm, err, what else did she do?" Louise asked.
"She filled out a form with some personal details, and then said she would come back to me soon, with some news."
There was complete silence from the other end of the line. Louise had no idea to whom Andrea was referring.
"Umm, I'll check on that for you," she said, as she collected her thoughts. There wasn't supposed to be anyone else involved. 'What had Julie done?' she wondered.
"Oh, I remember now," Louise said as she recovered from the initial shock of realizing a third party had made contact. "That lady who came first was just making initial contact. You said her name was Elizabeth?"
"Yes," Andrea replied. Louise was now anxious to dispel any initial uncertainty. "Well, she handed over the application to her supervisor. The agency would then have submitted a formal request to the department and that's how come Julie was able to contact you, and arrange for the Campbells to come and see Mary."
"Oh that's right, I forgot," Andrea replied, "Julie, who came here today with the Campbells, was from the Department wasn't she?" she said, as she tried to work her way through the procedure.
"Yes, that's right," Louise replied. "Someone from the department has to be there, when the prospective parents meet the birth mother and the baby. The department recommended the Campbells to the agency. They have been on their books for some time," Louise lied.
"Oh I see," Andrea said, once again but not really understanding, completely unaware that everything Louise was telling her was a fabrication. "Well," Louise persisted gently, "Do you want to go ahead?"
"Yes, I guess so," she replied, not without a hint of uncertainty. "You said something a few weeks ago about money, about being paid?"
"Yes I did. Leave that to me. I'll take care of that."
"No, what I meant was, I don't want any. I just want Mary to be with a good couple," Andrea said. There was a moment's hesitation on the other end, before Louise replied. "Okay, that's fine," she said.
After her phone conversation with Andrea, Louise immediately contacted Julie Macleod.
"Andrea is ready to go ahead," she said to Julie. "But she mentioned something about someone else calling on her the other day, someone called Elizabeth. Did you send someone else out to see her?"
"What? Jesus no. Elizabeth? Oh Christ." Julie steadied and gathered her thoughts. She recalled the conversation with Elizabeth earlier in the week. "Christ, she's gone off to the wrong place," Julie exclaimed realizing what had happened. "All right. That's okay. I can fix that. I gave over a file to someone. She must have got the two confused. I'll find out what happened and straighten it out. Don't worry. It's not a big problem," she reassured Louise.
"It might be," Louise argued. "Andrea said she took a photo." There was a long pause at the other end. Finally Julie spoke. "That's okay. We do that sometimes. Don't worry. I'll get the file and the photo. Elizabeth Ashford won't be involved anymore."
Two days later, the Campbells arrived to receive Mary Therese. Accompanying the Campbells, was Julie Macleod. Louise was there with Andrea to greet them. There was a high level of tense energy in the room, not the least of which was emanating from Louise and Julie Macleod. This was not the first time that they had participated in such a deception, but somehow each occasion generated its own pulse, and created its own unique characteristics.
"We just need you to sign a few documents Andrea," Louise said to her, in a comforting, reassuring tone, as the others waited expectantly. Andrea did not read the documents. She simply took Louise on trust and signed away. "Perhaps you could bring Mary Therese out now," Louise suggested, desperately trying not to appear too anxious. Andrea nodded. She went to the bedroom and moments later emerged with Mary Therese. She handed over a bag containing milk formula, and a few nappies. Looking poignantly into Mary's eyes, she said, "Now you be good for your new mummy and daddy, won't you?" Blissfully unaware of the nervous expectation of everyone in the flat, Andrea handed Mary over to Irene Campbell. As soon as Irene held Mary in her arms, Julie Macleod, quickly encouraged both her and James to leave. She gently guided them toward the front door, while Louise stayed with Andrea.
And then they were gone.
After the exchange, Andrea stood motionless, stunned, as if in shock. The room was deftly quiet. The tiny baby she had nurtured and cared for these few months was gone. She was suddenly alone as never before. Louise put on the kettle to make a cup of tea. Concerned for the initial reaction, she distracted Andrea by handing over an envelope containing in cash, the sum of two thousand dollars, the equivalent of three months salary. Andrea took the envelope but did not open it. While Louise poured the tea, Andrea walked into her bedroom. The first thing she saw was the bassinet where Mary Therese had slept. The scent of baby powder was strong. It evoked a feeling of loss; a feeling that something was missing; something or someone. She sat down on the bed, her mind floating across the year past. She recalled the day the doctor confirmed she was pregnant. She recalled the fear and the awesome responsibility she felt at the time. She pictured her mother Elsie at home in Melbourne, completely unaware of the trauma she had experienced these last few months. Her mind fell vacant. Suddenly, there was nothing; no sorrow, no emotion, no feeling; only the stillness and silence of everything around her. Louise brought the coffee into the bedroom on a tray, placing it on the bed. She then sat with Andrea, putting her arm around her shoulder. Andrea, her mind still occupied with thoughts of her mother, felt the tender caring touch, and responded. The two women embraced in silence.
It was a different experience for Louise. For her, there was no loss. For her, it was success, it was mission accomplished, as once more, a vulnerable, confused, frightened young mother, still suffering from post-natal depression, was lured into the ever-welcoming arms of those who preyed upon such people for profit.
Unknown to Andrea, within a matter of hours, James and Irene Campbell, and their newly adopted daughter, were on their way back to their home in Cairns, in far north Queensland, a small town, that survived on the sugar cane industry and little else; a town that enjoyed a wonderful climate for nine months of the year, but which in summer became so humid, that being there felt more like being in a sauna. The only documents they took with them to confirm their rightful status as adoptive parents of Mary Therese, were a birth certificate, and a letter signed by Andrea, identifying herself as the birth mother and giving her consent to the adoption. They had paid
the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, and so long as Andrea made no further enquiries about the welfare of her child, a condition of the letter she signed but never read, then no one would ever know the true circumstances of their daughter, Mary Therese. For Julie Macleod and Louise Whiltshire, it was a very risky and flawed practice, but somehow the lure of quick profits, clouded even the most astute of evil minds, and for the time being, they had succeeded.