“Oh. I see.”
“I wish I could have kept you. I do, Michael. But I was eighteen, and I had a scholarship.”
“It’s okay. My mom and dad are great, and I have two sisters.”
“You have another sister. Maya, my daughter, is four.”
“Oh?”
“And…three other sisters. Your father, he has three daughters.”
“So you still keep in contact with him?”
“I, uh, recently renewed contact, yes.”
“I don’t want to push you, but can we meet? I’ve just always wondered what you look like. Where my nose comes from, things like that.”
“I, uh, suppose.” Her nerves skittered.
“And my father? Could I meet him?”
“Oh Lord.” She sighed. “Michael—”
“He doesn’t know about me, does he?”
“No. I’m so sorry. He just came back into my life.”
“Aren’t you going to tell him?”
“Yes. I just need to find the right time.”
“I understand. Until you find the right time, maybe you and I can meet.”
She smiled into the phone. “I’d like that. I truly would. You probably won’t believe this, but I’ve missed you all these years. A day has not gone by that I haven’t thought of you. I always hoped I’d made the right decision.”
“You did. I have a great life.”
“You have no idea how glad I am to hear that.”
She grabbed a pad of paper from her bureau. “I wish I c
ould talk longer, but I need to go. I have company. Could you give me your number? I’ll call you.”
“Okay.”
She hastily scribbled down the name and number on the pad. “I’m so glad to hear from you, Michael. You have no idea.”
“Good. I’m glad I didn’t disrupt your life.”
“Oh no. You couldn’t. I’m so happy you’ve had a good life and I do want to know you. I’ll call you. Or you can call me anytime, okay?”
“Thank you…Kathryn. I appreciate it.”
“Bye now.”
“Bye.”
Kathryn drew a deep breath. Brett.