Avery Parker’s Adoption Story: Lessons in Chemistry

Set in the late 1950s and early 1960s, “Lessons in Chemistry” is a story about a fierce, brilliant, and determined female scientist working in a male-dominated world. Readers across the country fell in love with this 2022 New York Times Bestselling novel. It was such a hit that Apple TV+ turned Bonnie Garmus’s fictional story into an Emmy-winning mini-series. What many readers and viewers may not realize is how impactful the adoption storyline that is tucked deep inside the story can be for anyone touched by adoption.

The Start of the Story

At the start of the story, we meet Madeline Zott. The little girl has no father or siblings, but her single, working mother – Elizabeth – packs her the most delicious and nutritious homemade lunches. Elizabeth works hard to ensure her daughter is well-fed and supports her little family by hosting a chemistry-based cooking show. Early on, we learn that Elizabeth never set out to be a celebrity TV chef. Her career started with – you guessed it – chemistry.

Before her daughter’s birth, Elizabeth Zott worked as a lab technician at Hastings Research Institute. The facility was dominated by men. The only other women who worked at the facility were typically in administrative assistant roles. Despite her meager title and pay, Elizabeth was a brilliant chemist. During her time at Hastings, she met another brilliant chemist: Calvin Evans. The two began as arch nemeses but ended up bonding over their love of science. They began to have a romantic relationship, eventually moving in together, but Elizabeth always made it clear that she never wanted to get married.

Elizabeth’s desire to stay single and childless was heavily influenced by her upbringing. Calvin also had a childhood of heartbreak. He shared that he was placed in a Catholic orphanage when he was young, after his parents were killed in a car accident. He also shared that, since achieving success in his career, people had reached out to him making various requests and claims. One woman had been writing him sad letters, claiming that she was his long-lost mother. To Calvin, this was strange fan behavior since he knew that his mother was dead.

After falling in love, Calvin developed a deep fear that Elizabeth would – like his parents – die young. He was paranoid that something awful would happen. Ironically, it was Calvin who ended up suffering the tragic fate. Shortly after moving in together, he was struck and killed by a police car while out on a morning jog.

Months after Calvin’s untimely death, Elizabeth found out she was pregnant with Madeline. She decided to raise the baby on her own, determined to make a scientific breakthrough by studying chemistry from home. In an effort to receive more funding for her research, she reached out to the Parker Foundation.

The Truth Revealed

What Elizabeth did not know was that the Parker Foundation was established by Avery Parker, Calvin’s birth mother. Avery was placed in a Catholic Mother and Baby home, since she was pregnant and unmarried at a time when this was highly unacceptable in society. When young Avery gave birth, she was lied to and told that her baby was stillborn. A death certificate was created as evidence. Avery was devastated and grieved the death of her baby.

While Calvin was at the orphanage, a nun visited Avery and informed her that baby’s death had been faked. With the help of her lawyer, Avery found her son’s identity and the orphanage where he was being raised. The lawyer went to the orphanage but was lied to by the priest and told that Cavin had died. For a second time, Avery mourned her child’s death.

Many years later, Avery learns that her son is – in fact – still alive after seeing him in Chemistry Today magazine. She begins writing him letters to explain who she is and request a reunion. The two never meet before Calvin’s death. As heartbreaking as the situation is, Elizabeth and Avery have a beautiful moment. Avery was never able to be a part of her son’s life, but she was able to find the love of his life and – eventually – form a relationship with her granddaughter.

The “Lessons in Adoption”

“Lessons in Chemistry” captured the hearts of millions of readers. Avery’s story as a birth mother was unbelievable – and for good reason. What happened to Avery would never happen at a modern-day adoption agency like Adoptions With Love. Adoption has come a long way in the past 60 years. The days of secretive adoptions are long gone. Most adoptions today are open adoptions, meaning there is ongoing contact between birth and adoptive families.

With an open adoption, the birth parent can be as involved as she would like to be. The birth parent is in charge of their pregnancy, decision, and adoption plan. They can also be involved in their child’s life. Making an adoption plan does not have to mean “goodbye forever.” While it can feel like the end of a chapter, it is only the beginning.

Open adoption offers benefits to everyone involved in the adoption triad. For adoptive parents, open adoption is a lifeline. It is a direct contact for background information, medical history, and cultural context. It is also deeply rewarding to build a relationship with the person who gave birth to your child.

For a birth parent, it is reassuring to know that your child is safe, well cared for, and loved while you can be free to pursue your personal and professional goals. It can also bring peace of mind that your child is being raised in a safe, stable, and healthy home full of love and opportunities – all while knowing they are loved by two families instead of one.

Learn More About Adoption

If you would like to learn more about adoption, reach out to Adoptions With Love today. Whether you are looking to adopt or considering adoption for your baby, we can help guide you through the adoption process. Call 800-722-7731, text (confidentially) 617-777-0072, or contact us online.