She rushed to her uncle’s side and knelt by his chair, taking his hands in hers. “Tell me about it?”
Sandy gave her a sad smile. “Oh, sweetie, this is taking me way back.” He took a big breath, then began. “You know I went to college at Georgia State. It was there I met my first love. Her name was Linda and she was from Chicago. You know how it is when you go off to college. It’s like you’re in your own special world. We didn’t worry about differences there. Not in race, religion, politics, or wealth. We had big plans. She was a year behind me—a pre-law major. I, of course, was a business major. We were going to take over the world. Well, in my senior year, I got called back home when Grandpa Patrick had his heart attack. I had to leave school. We told each other it was only temporary until things got settled. We didn’t have the internet or Facebook back then, so it was harder to stay in touch, especially long distance. When I went back to Atlanta to get everything sorted out, her friends said she’d moved back to Chicago. I didn’t know what to think, but I figured if she wanted me to know where she was, she’d have left word. With everything going on at home, I tried to put it out of my mind and leave it alone. The more time that passed, the less painful it became. But, now, I wish I’d have gone after her. I had no idea she was pregnant, obviously. I just wonder why she didn’t tell me. And why she never contacted me after that.”
As Sandy spoke, a tear made its way down his face. Barbara Jeanne hated to see her beloved uncle hurting and looking so vulnerable. She squeezed his hands. “It’s not too late. You’ve found them now. Go get them.”
Her normally confident uncle seemed hesitant. “I wouldn’t know where to begin. How to begin.”
She rose and kissed him on the cheek. “You leave everything to me.”
Barbara Jeanne could hardly wait to get in the car so she could send a message to Salynda. She wanted so badly to do something good for her uncle, but first she had to make sure he wasn’t going to get hurt in the process. She pulled up the Ancestry site on her phone and typed out a message to Salynda.
Hi Salynda, I know who your father is. I think it would be best if we talked over the phone so please call me if you want to know more.
Chapter 7
Two days after the attack, I returned to work. I’m still physically and emotionally traumatized but was afraid if I didn’t leave the house now and face my fears head on, I never would. I’m thankful for the excellent security systems at the condo and my shop, but I don’t think I’ll be able to handle the confines of a parking garage any time soon, so I’m ubering to the store from now on. And I also had to explain to Brandie why I look like I lost a fight. Until my bruises heal, she’ll be thefaceof the business, and I’ll work behind the scenes.
I’m in the stock room unpacking some new formal wear when my phone jingles. And then the increasingly familiar butterflies in my stomach begin their flutter. I look at the screen and, sure enough, it’s signaling a message on Ancestry. I click on the link and read Barbara Jeanne’s message asking me to call her. The butterflies stop and I feel a heavy weight in their place.Why isn’t she telling me more? Why does she want to speak to me? Why do I have the feeling this can’t be good news?
Since I’d already programmed the number she’d given me into my phone, I press the button and take a deep breath. One, two, three rings, then she answers.
“Hello?”
“Barbara Jeanne? This is Salynda.”
“Hi! I’m glad you called. I’ve got some news for you. It involves my Uncle Sandy, but I need to warn you, I’m very protective of him. I don’t want to see him get hurt.”
“Uncle Sandy? Are you speaking of Sanford Harrison Patrick from the family tree?” I’d memorized every name on that tree.
“Yes. Yes, I am. He’s your father.”
“Are you sure? Could there be some mistake?” My stomach still feels like it has a thousand-pound weight in it.
“There’s no mistake. I spoke to him, and he confirmed that he and your mother, Linda, were a couple in college.”
“My goodness! I’m in shock!”
“I need to ask you some questions. My uncle was unaware he’d fathered a child with Linda. Do you know why he was never told? And how is Linda going to react to you finding him?”
Now my stomach is rumbling like a freight train, but I need to keep my cool so I don’t ruin my chance for answers. “I don’t know why my mother chose to keep her secret from him or me. She always told me my father died before I was born. I learned that wasn’t true a few months ago when she was dying from cancer. Right before she passed, she asked me to forgive her and told me to find him so I wouldn’t be alone after she was gone. I can assure you I have no ulterior motive other than to know my family history. It was always just my mother and me. Now I’m all alone.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. Please understand I’m just looking out for my uncle and the Patrick family. I’m not trying to be a bitch. Oh, and another thing. You’ll find out soon enough if you haven’t already, the Patricks are old money in the South. If you’re lookin’ for a payout, you can tell me now.” Barbara Jeanne laughed. “I guess that does sound bitchy. Sorry, but not sorry, really.”
I try to see things from her perspective. My first instinct is to put this child in her place, but I need to stay in her good graces if I’m going to have a chance at meeting my father. I pause for a moment and choose my words carefully. “Well, I can assureyouI’m not after anyone’s money. I’m quite comfortable. I own my own business and am my mother’s only heir.”
“Well, then. I’ll take your word on that unless I find a reason to think otherwise. I can tell you, Uncle Sandy would very much like to meet you. I’m sure he’d be willing to travel to Chicago, but he’s understandably nervous. I’ll let him know I’ve talked with you and think it’s okay for him to meet you. We can go from there.”
“Thank you, Barbara Jeanne. I appreciate you taking the time to figure things out. Take care and God bless.” I end the call and expel a breath. The butterflies are back, and I can tell I have a silly smile on my face because it hurts from my injuries. But I don’t care because I have a father!
Chapter 8
Barbara Jeanne punched the phone button on her car’s electronic system and placed a call to her uncle. It was time to talk to him about meeting his daughter.
“Uncle Sandy! I spoke with Salynda! Oh, I forgot to tell you that’s her name.”
“Salynda. That’s pretty. Named after her mother no doubt.”
“OMG! I just realized, she’s named after you both. Sanford plus Linda equals Salynda! That means she didn’t want to forget you. She gave your daughter your name, even though it’s not your last name.”
