Fearing she couldn’t care for her infant, a woman left him on a business jet seat. Years later, after her situation improved, she decided to find and adopt her baby.
“Are you out of your mind, Rhonda?” her father, David Harris, yelled when he learned she was expecting her boyfriend Peter’s child. Rhonda came from an affluent family; her father ran a large textile firm and raised her alone after her mother died when Rhonda was just two years old.
Mr. Harris, a highly controlling father, had always provided Rhonda with the best of everything but expected her to obey him unquestioningly. When Rhonda could no longer hide her pregnancy, she told him. “Rhonda, you’re going to get rid of that kid. Do you understand?” he demanded.
At 16, Rhonda refused, “No, dad. I won’t end the pregnancy. I can’t abort the baby, and it’s too late now.”
“Then you’ll have to figure out how you’re going to raise that child yourself,” he warned. “No one in our family has ever married beneath our social class. Leave my house if you want to raise that man’s child.”
With sorrow in her eyes, Rhonda responded, “Fine, dad. Maybe my mother would have supported me if she were here. But I’ll raise the child myself and prove you wrong.” She packed her things that night and broke off contact with her father, who told her not to return until she had either aborted the baby or given it to an orphanage.
Rhonda went to Peter’s house, explaining her father’s refusal to acknowledge their child. To her shock, Peter also refused to take responsibility. “I’m not ready to have a child, Rhonda,” he said. “Get rid of the baby or forget about me.”
Rhonda was devastated. “Peter, this is our child. How can you…”
“Look, Rhonda, you and that baby are just causing me grief. It’s over,” he said, slamming the door in her face.
That night, Rhonda walked the streets, unsure where life would lead her. She went into labor, and a woman named Angela Bamford saw her, helping her get to the hospital where Rhonda gave birth to a boy. Angela stayed with Rhonda and, hearing her story, offered to help her leave Texas.
Angela’s kindness overwhelmed Rhonda. With Angela’s assistance, Rhonda found herself on a business class flight to New York City, hoping to start anew. However, overwhelmed by fear for her future and her child’s well-being, she made the heart-wrenching decision to leave her baby on the plane with a note.
A stewardess named Lincy found the baby and the note, feeling immense sympathy for the little boy.
Thirteen years later, Rhonda, now stable with a steady job, was consumed with regret for abandoning her son. She decided to find him. Through the police, she discovered that Lincy and her husband had adopted her son, now named Matthew Harris.
Rhonda contacted Lincy, who arranged a meeting with Matthew. When they met, Matthew was initially angry and unwilling to accept Rhonda. However, after hearing her story and with Lincy’s support, he agreed to let Rhonda visit him on weekends.
Over time, Matthew, now a 23-year-old data scientist, came to forgive Rhonda and accepted her as his mother. Rhonda, having found love with a man named Andrew, plans to discuss her future with Matthew. She also reconnected with Angela Bamford, who was delighted to see Rhonda’s life turn around.
Lessons from this story:
– **Time heals**: Matthew eventually understood the complexities of Rhonda’s actions and forgave her.
– **Letting go of the past**: Recognizing the futility of dwelling on past grievances, Matthew reconciled with Rhonda.
This story, inspired by a reader, highlights the profound impact of forgiveness and second chances.
