(The Atavist, approx 44 mins reading time)
That December, 52 years to the day after Rita brought him into the world, Clar overheard a woman in the hallway just outside his office sing out to a coworker, “It’s Craig’s birthday!” The woman’s name was Tracey Avery, and she was a cleaner at Bull Arm. She was talking about her husband, who also worked at the site. How funny, Clar thought. “It’s my birthday, too,” he said with a laugh. “Yes, b’y,” Tracey replied. (B’y is pronounced “bye” the Newfoundland expression is one of surprise, like “oh really?”) “How old are you?” When Clar told her his age, Tracey’s next words came tumbling out: “Where were you born?” “Come By Chance Cottage Hospital,” Clar said. Tracey stood stock still for a second, her mouth agape. Then she ran, leaving her mop and cart behind. Clar shivered. In that moment, a secret began to worm its way into the light: Another child had been taken from Rita Hynes and she was
Switch at Birth But How?
From left: Rita and Ches Hynes; Mildred and Donald Avery / Jessie Brinkman Evans for The Atavist
This is an excerpt from The Atavist
‘s issue no. 113, “The Lives of Others,” by writer Lindsay Jones. In remote Newfoundland, a search for answers about a series of baby mix-ups leads to a woman known as “Nurse Tiger.”
Lindsay Jones | The Atavist | March 2021 | 5 minutes (1,556 words)
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