“Then perhaps the doctor reasonably believed you were incapable—”
“No.”
The attorney paused.
Eliza continued.
“Poverty is not consent.”
Silence.
“Grief is not consent.”
Another pause.
“Medication is not consent.”
The courtroom became completely still.
Caleb sat behind her.
He wanted to stand and applaud.
Mrs. Henderson squeezed his arm.
“Don't.”
“I wasn't.”
“You were thinking loudly.”
He looked offended.
Doctor Harrow lost his license pending full trial.
Matron Vale was arrested in Julesburg after attempting to burn records.
Jonathan Caldwell was charged in connection with fraudulent placement payments.
Beatrice cooperated fully.
Eliza struggled with what she felt toward her.
Anger.
Pity.
Hatred.
Understanding.
None canceled the others.
Before Eliza left Denver, Beatrice asked to see her.
Caleb offered to come.
Eliza shook her head.
“I need to do this alone.”
They met in a church parlor.
Beatrice looked thinner.
Older.
She stared at Ruth.
Then immediately looked away.
“I won't ask to hold her.”
“Good.”
Eliza sat.
Beatrice folded her hands.
“I am sorry.”
Eliza said nothing.
“I know those words are useless.”
“Yes.”
Beatrice winced.
Eliza continued.
“You knew something was wrong.”
“Yes.”
“You kept her anyway.”
“Yes.”
“Because you wanted her.”
Beatrice cried.
“Yes.”
Eliza looked down at Ruth.
“I understand wanting her.”
Beatrice covered her mouth.
“That may be the cruelest thing anyone has said to me.”
“It wasn't meant cruelly.”
“That is why.”
Eliza looked at her.
“Wanting a child doesn't give you one.”
“No.”
Beatrice nodded.
“I know.”
Eliza stood.
Beatrice whispered:
“Will you tell her someday?”
Eliza froze.
“That I existed?”
Eliza looked toward the window.
“I don't know.”
Beatrice nodded.
“That is fair.”
Eliza turned to leave.
Then stopped.
“You cared for her?”
Beatrice began crying again.
“Yes.”
“Was she ever hungry?”
“No.”
“Cold?”
“No.”
“Sick?”
“No.”
Eliza closed her eyes.
Some small knot inside her loosened.
Not forgiveness.
Relief.
“Thank you for that.”
Beatrice sobbed.
Eliza left.
Caleb planned to return to his ranch outside Fort Collins.
Eliza had planned to continue toward Denver for work.
Now she stood at the train station with Ruth while Caleb loaded Samuel’s things.
Their paths had reached the point where decisions could no longer be avoided.
Mrs. Henderson and Pritchard had already departed.
The platform felt strangely empty.
Caleb returned.
“That’s everything.”
Eliza nodded.
Ruth slept against her shoulder.
Samuel slept against Caleb’s chest.
For a moment they resembled two separate families standing beside each other.