Only One Molly

Chapter One

A Bad Turn of Events

Russell drove his Cadillac into the garage and slowly walked into the house. It hadn’t been a good day which was very unusual. His work was enjoyable and he looked forward to achieving his goals each day. However, every once in a while he’d run into a problem customer who really didn’t know what she wanted or kept changing her mind. It was all part of the job but not the part he particularly liked.

As he walked into the kitchen he wondered where his wife, Allison, was. No odors were coming from food cooking on the kitchen or from an order that Allison might have called to be delivered. He supposed that she probably wanted to eat out again. How he’d like to have a home cooked meal but his wife wasn’t into cooking much of anything. And he’d have to admit only to himself that she wasn’t the best cook in the world. He could do better than she does and he wasn’t much of a cook.

It was so quiet in the house—too quiet. He didn’t even hear the baby fussing but Molly was probably sleeping but where was his wife? Russell walked down the hall and glanced around. The baby wasn’t in the crib so where was she? He found it odd that there was no noise and that Allison didn’t come meet him as she usually did. It was so quiet that he became worried. He ran his hand through his dark brown hair trying to figure out what was going on. He had a bad feeling about the situation but he didn’t know why.

As he walked into the dining room he noticed that there were some papers lying on the table. One was a hand written note and the writing looked like Allison’s. He frowned and picked up the papers and perused them. After the first glance he sat his six-foot three inch body down and all but fell into the chair. Russell couldn’t believe what he had read. He must be dreaming. In his hand, he held a paper for him to sign so that Allison could divorce him. She asked for no alimony, she just wanted free. Once again he ran his hands through his hair nervously—a habit he did when he had problems and this was a problem.

Molly makes me nervous, his wife wrote on the note explaining the divorce and the other paper. Slowly, Russell read the second form. It was a paper notarized by a lawyer indicating that she had left Russell complete custody to their three-week old baby. And she wasn’t asking for anything concerning her daughter. She gave her up freely.

How could she do that? How could any mother give her baby away voluntarily and not make any effort or plans to see the child in the future? His hand was shaking as he continued to read and reread the papers.

Then as he thought about it, perhaps he should have guessed something was wrong since Allison paid little or no attention to Molly when he was home. He was the one that gave her a bath and dressed her for bed once he had fed her and rocked her. Everything that Molly required in the evenings, Russell supplied for her. He loved his daughter but he never saw or heard his wife pick her up and tell her she loved her. She never touched the baby once he was home. One time she made some remark since she had her all day it was his turn in the evening to tend her.

A fear crossed his mind. Where was Molly? Allison said she didn’t want her so where was she? As he was trying to think where she might be, the door bell rang.

Mrs. Delton, come in. So you have my daughter. I didn’t know where she was and I was beginning to get worried. I barely read my wife’s note.

Didn’t you know that I baby sit every week day while Allison went with some man to do some business. At least that was what she said. I presumed she had a job some place in town, the elderly lady stated.

You baby sat every day the last three weeks? he asked unable to believe what he was hearing. That meant that Allison didn’t spend any time with her daughter at all.

Well, more like two and a half. I started babysitting after you went back to work. Didn’t you know? Now she paid me so you don’t owe anything. I enjoy Molly so much. You can leave her with me anytime. Allison said she’d be gone for a while but she didn’t say how long or where she was going.

Yes, that’s what the note says, he stated flatly. He didn’t want to discuss the proposed divorce with this woman or any other neighbor. He took his tiny daughter and said thank you to Mrs. Delton.

Once she left, he sat down in the rocking chair and rocked Molly even though she was sound asleep. Rocking helped him think. He loved to hold his daughter, asleep or awake. Now he had a decision to make. Was he going to sign those divorce papers? If she was with some man every day that would mean there was nothing left of his marriage. There was no way that Allison had a job as the neighbor lady indicated. It appeared that the same day he returned to work, she started leaving Molly in the care of the neighbor lady. The infant was so sweet and so beautiful. How could she do that? He didn’t think he’d ever understand how she could leave her new born baby when she didn’t have to.

Russell began to think he must be rather dumb not to have seen this coming. He had no idea Allison wasn’t true to him nor did he have any idea that the baby made her nervous. So she shoved her beloved daughter off on the neighbor. Russell shook his head in disbelief.

Allison was an attractive woman with light brown hair and deep blue eyes. She was slim and tall and could have been a model. Was that what he saw in her? He really thought he loved her but all of a sudden, the love was gone. The idea that she had been going with another man cancelled any love that he had for her.

Yes, he’d sign the divorce papers and mail them to the country. And he’d ask Judge Jensen if the paper giving him full custody of Molly was correctly written. He didn’t want his wife coming back and taking the child later and especially if she was going away with another man. He shivered at the thought. This whole situation was unbelievable.

Now he had to consider what he was going to do about work. He didn’t want Molly raised by strangers. She was his family. Perhaps his boss would permit him to accomplish his drawings at home. It was worth a try anyway. George Smithton was a good man and very much a family man. He knew that George was pleased with his work. He had often told him he was the best architect he had working for him. He had an idea that his boss would help him out one way or the other.

Russell phoned his lawyer and explained what happened. The lawyer didn’t appear to be the least surprised. He calmly told him to drop the papers off at his office when he arrived at his work in the morning. He promised to check them out thoroughly and let him know if they were binding.

When he hung up the phone, he wondered why he had a feeling that the lawyer was expecting his call. At least that was the way it seemed. He wondered if the lawyer who drew up the paper for Allison had called his lawyer. He bet two to one the lawyers had talked.

Russell was pleased that his lawyer’s office occupied the same building that his work did. That would make getting together during work time a lot easier than if he had to drive across town. He would take Molly with him tomorrow and see what George said about the situation. He’d pray that his boss would let him work at home.

Since this was only Monday he could collect the work that needed to be done and bring it home. It would be a hassle going to and from the office but no way was he going to get a babysitter for Molly. She deserved to be raised by her family and that was him. The idea of taking her to strangers every day didn’t set well with him. No, he couldn’t face that. He knew people did that all the time but he couldn’t.

He picked up the papers again and studied them. Russell still couldn’t believe that he didn’t see this coming. He knew that Allison was a little cool to him but he had heard of the baby blues and he thought that was what she was going through so he decided to give her time to think about things. But as he thought back he knew that it had been a long time since they sat down with some coffee and just had a nice chat. If he suggested something on that order, she always had to go to the store or town for some reason. It was obvious that Allison didn’t want any cozy moments with him.

Russell had laid the baby down an hour or so and now she was fussing. He gave her a quick bath. She always appeared to like her bath. Then he fixed her bottle and rocked her while she drank the formula. When the bottle was finished, Molly was sound asleep. Carefully he bent over and kissed her. He loved his daughter so much that it was hard to fathom that she made Allison nervous and she no longer wanted to be close to the infant.

It was a shock to find that Mrs. Delton had taken care of Molly instead of his wife. He wished he had known that. But then, what could he have done about her leaving the baby somewhere while she gadded around? One thing about it, Mrs. Delton was probably a better baby sitter than Allison would have been.

As he thought about her leaving, it reminded him of his father. Always he and his father had a good time when they were together. He was a good dad and Russell loved him. Russell remembered the rainy night that his mother asked his dad to go to the store and pick up some spice for her spaghetti. Although the grocery store was only a mile away, he never came back. Russell never saw him again.

It had always been a mystery as his father always appeared to enjoy his home life. He knew his dad loved his mother. There was no question about that. They had nice family dinners and fun times. He could never remember his parents having an argument. Why he didn’t come back was the big question. The police suggested there had to be foul play. They knew that Russell Graham, Sr. was a family man and would never abandon his family. One policeman stated that possibly someone wanted his vehicle and took him with them. Russell never once thought his dad had deserted him but he often wondered if he was dead or alive.

After seven years the police insisted that his mother fill out the papers to receive his insurance money. They let her know that they held little hope of him being alive. His mother didn’t live long after that. She seemed to grieve for him a little too much. All through the seven years she was sure he was alive and wasn’t able to come home but once she collected the insurance money she had to accept his death. His mother never touched the money and left the huge amount of insurance money to Russell. The son was shocked at the amount of the life insurance policy that his father had left him and his mother.

Russell always hoped that one day he might find his father although he believed that he was probably no longer living. He was positive if his father could come home, he would. That he never doubted.

It was a long evening once he put Molly to bed. He fixed the diaper bag so it would have everything she’s need tomorrow. The upset man filled some bottles with the formula and placed them in the refrigerator. He wanted everything to be ready for tomorrow morning. Russell even laid out the clothes that he’d dress Molly in the next morning. He had everything ready so it would be easy to take her with him. He didn’t know why, but he decided to take a full day’s supply for his daughter. It didn’t make sense to do that but he did it anyway.

He should eat something even though he didn’t feel like it. There was a beautiful baby girl in that bedroom that needed him. Opening the refrigerator door, he found some meat for a sandwich. A sandwich and a glass of milk would be all he needed tonight. He would pick up some things from the grocery store on his way home tomorrow.

As he checked out what he needed, he found the fridge was a little bare. Then he checked out the cupboards. They were all but bare. He’d have to buy just about everything one needed to do any cooking. While he didn’t care to fix meals, he always considered himself a fair cook. He could cook good enough to get by and that was about it. He could also call for a pizza or chicken or whatever he was hungry for if he didn’t want to fix anything to eat.

He thought about all of the grocery money that he had given his wife every week. What did she do with it? He always paid for the pizza or chicken or whatever else she ordered. Well it didn’t matter now as it was water under the bridge.

He knew that Allison ordered almost everything in. Once in a while she opened some cans of something. He ate a lot of frozen dinners if she didn’t call for food. But to make a meal from scratch never entered her mind. He’d bet that she didn’t even know how and he had an idea that she didn’t care to learn.

He ate the sandwich, drank the milk and decided it was time to go to bed.

What would tomorrow bring?

Chapter Two

A Good Solution

George was surprised when Russell walked into his office with the baby. He glanced up at his friend and employee with questions in his friendly eyes. What possible reason could Russell have for bringing his daughter to work? Where was Allison?

Russell simply sat down across from his boss, held Molly close and handed George the papers that his wife had left. As his boss read the papers he shook his head in disbelief.

He gave his boss plenty of time to think about his situation before saying anything. Russell watched the gray-haired pleasant looking man as he read through the papers Allison left him. George kept shaking his head back and forth. He was shocked.

I thought perhaps I could work at home. George, I can’t stand the idea of leaving Molly with some babysitter all day. Do you suppose I could come in the office and pick up my work and complete it at home and then bring it back as needed?

George looked at the sad and upset employee. Russell, come with me. I have a better idea than that.

Russell followed his boss wondering what could be a better idea. But George had a smile on his face and that meant that he was up to something. They entered a small room right off from where Russell usually worked. It was a room where they normally stored items for short periods of time until they moved them on to the next station.

Russell, sometime back before you came to work for me, another one of my employees had a problem as to what to do with his baby since his wife had died. He brought the baby to work and we all helped him raise the little boy. Once he remarried, his wife stayed home with the baby but we sure missed him. It was rather fun having the baby in the office. Everyone helped him with little Chris.

George watched his employee as relief spread across his face. Russell even smiled at him.

What do you think? We can clean this room up and bring that baby bed out of storage and clean it. There’s even a rocking chair and a table to change the baby and a small refrigerator to keep the bottles fresh. We have it all right here. What do you say?

Russell was stunned. He was so relieved. He knew that George loved children. He slowly nodded his head in agreement. This would certainly be a change in the office and since they did it before, they could sure do it again. Molly wasn’t a cranky baby—at least not yet. This would work out perfect for him and Molly.

George ordered the handy man to retrieve the items and clean them. Give the room a good vacuuming, and clean what needs to be cleaned and make it ready for Molly. Stan was a tall thin elderly man with black hair and dark eyes. He walked over and looked at the baby and smiled. He remembered when the last baby was raised in the office. Every employee had enjoyed Chris and they’d enjoy this little girl as well. He just knew it.

Once everything was in place Russell put the baby’s blankets in the crib and then placed Molly inside the bed. She was still sleeping soundly. George had to walk into the room and look at the pretty little girl.

My, she’s a beautiful baby. It almost looks as though she’s going to have blonde hair but you can never tell at this age. Welcome to our office, Molly, he whispered to the sleeping infant while looking her over again. Now since your desk is just outside this little room, you can leave the door open and that way you should hear her if she cries. If she does, you stop and take care of her needs, George ordered. That baby is more important than any of our projects that we’re working on.

Russell smiled in agreement. This was more than he expected. This would work as long as Molly didn’t come up with colic or something on that order and disrupt the office. He couldn’t help but notice that everyone in the office had gone into the room, looked at her and commented on the little girl.

Russell was away from his desk when Katelyn heard the infant cry. She hurried into the room and changed the baby and then warmed the bottle in the bottle warmer that George had supplied. The other bottles were in the little refrigerator which was positioned in the room.

Katelyn was the secretary and George had asked her to help Russell with the baby. Katelyn didn’t always have enough to keep her busy so she’d ask the architects if she could help them. But taking care of this infant was right down her alley. She loved babies.

When Russell returned to his desk and noticed Katelyn feeding and rocking his daughter, he smiled at her and let her be. She had a smile on her face a mile wide and Russell knew that she was enjoying holding and feeding Molly. Katelyn was barely out of high school. She was an attractive young girl with light brown hair and pretty blue eyes. He supposed it wouldn’t be long before some fellow would want to marry her but in the meantime, she did appear to love his daughter. She looked like a natural as far as taking care of the baby.

The next morning he brought several cans of the baby formulas and several empty bottles. He brought more bedding and something to fasten over the crib for Molly to look at. So she was too young now but it wouldn’t be long before she would enjoy the toys dangling over her crib. As Russell looked in the room he saw several new toys lying on the table. He smiled. It looked like everyone in the office had contributed some toy for Molly. This arrangement was going to work out fine.

Russell remembered that saying, It took a village to raise a child. Well it seemed that it was going to take a company to raise Molly. He was comfortable with everyone who paid attention to the baby. George had provided anti-germ cleaning cloths to anyone who was going to hold the baby. Russell smiled. Molly was going to be well taken care of by everyone in his work place.

After five months, every employee in the office was used to the baby and would remark how she had grown. They had to spend a little time visiting with her each day and each one of the personnel received one of Molly’s special smiles. In reality it was Katelyn who took care of the baby most of the time that Molly was at the office. Russell just let her do it as she seemed to enjoy fussing with the baby. She appeared to be in the room before he could put his drawing equipment down to check on his daughter. Molly was a popular girl around the office.

When she was ten months old she began to walk and say a few words. Every employee had to stop and see her each morning and say hello to her. They always told her their name and soon she was beginning to say their names. Not quite as well as the grownups but they knew who she was talking to. As she grew older, Molly would play with some of the toys for a while but then she often walked around the room and talk to each one of the architects. No one minded. They always took time to say hello to her.

New toys and equipment appeared in the room on a regular basis. Russell would thank everyone but he wasn’t sure what else to say. Not only toys, but cute little dresses were placed in the room and Russell made sure that Molly wore every one of the garments.

One afternoon his boss called him into