“We’re cautious,” he said, pulling into the school’s parking lot. “Don’t worry about me. You just focus on finding your mother.”
There was a blue Chevy parked over by a tree, away from the other cars and still running.
“That must be her,” said Sophia.
Walter sidled up alongside the Chevy, and Sophia hopped out before he could kill the engine. “Mrs. Gathers,” she rushed to say, “I can’t thank you enough for coming.”
Mrs. Gathers stepped out of her car wearing a plaid skirt, a button-down blouse, and flats. “It’s my pleasure, dear.” She opened her arms, and Sophia fell into her friendly embrace. “Is this your brother?”
“Yes, Walter, meet Mrs. Gathers.”
He shook her hand.
“It’s nice to see you, Walter.” She squinted. “I sort of remember your face. I think you were the boy who was most well behaved on our flight to America.”
Walter beamed. “Thank you for everything and especially for what you are doing right now for my sister. It means a lot that she knows who she is.”
“I couldn’t agree more. That’s why we had better get a move on.” Mrs. Gathers tapped her watch.
Walter grabbed Sophia’s wrist and whispered, “Be careful. And no matter what or who you find, I will always be your big bro.”
Squeezing his fingers, she thanked him and then climbed into the passenger seat beside Mrs. Gathers.
It wasn’t until they had found I-64 heading east that Mrs. Gathers asked Sophia about her semester at school.
“It’s going well. I have all A’s.”
“That’s amazing, at an institution as prestigious as West Oak Forest. Have you given any thought to college?”
Sophia fidgeted with the hem of her skirt. “Not more than knowing that I want to go. I can’t end up back at the farm.”
“Well, there are guidance counselors at your school who will point you in the right direction when the time comes.”
Sophia thought about the teachers at Forest. Most hadn’t had the decency to pair her face with her name. At least twice a week, one of them confused her with Willa. In the beginning, Sophia had worried about her missing birth certificate, but after a month, it became apparent that no one in the office would cast another glance at her file. She looked out the window as the trees passed by. It was a beautiful sunny day, but the anticipation of what was to come planted a knot in her stomach. Rubbing it, she turned toward Mrs. Gathers, still a bit stunned that the woman had agreed to chaperone her on this harebrained trip.
“What made you get involved in this adoption thing to begin with? It seems like a huge undertaking.”
As she signaled and changed lanes, Mrs. Gathers responded, “It’s a very long story, but the crux of it is…” Then she paused for so long that Sophia thought she had changed her mind about answering. “I couldn’t have children of my own, and I so desperately wanted to become a mother,” she said finally, both hands gripping the wheel. “I fell into a bit of depression, but discovering those sweet children living inthe orphanage brought me out of it. When I saw them, it felt like God was speaking to me. Telling me that I had been placed right there in Germany to be of service. They gave me purpose.”
Sophia felt a burst of reverence for Mrs. Gathers. “But you have children now, right? I saw the family photographs around your home.”
Mrs. Gathers smiled. “And they have been the joy of my life. To help children like you find loving homes, and women like me who couldn’t conceive, have the chance to become mothers has been my life’s calling.”
“That’s really admirable.”
“Thanks.” She chewed her bottom lip. “Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what’s next for me. The adoption agency has slowed down to a halt, and my own children have grown faster than you can say ‘Mississippi.’ Half of them have already left the nest.”
“Is that why you are helping me?”
Mrs. Gathers fell quiet again. “I can admit when I’ve made a mistake, and your determination is unlike any I have ever seen in a young person. I started you on this journey, and I’m duty-bound to help you finish it.”
They stopped once to use the restroom and then drove into Williamsburg shortly before eleven. Once they exited the highway, Mrs. Gathers stopped at the gas station to get directions.
“We’re just five miles away.” She slid behind the wheel and tossed Sophia a banana.
Mrs. Gathers dropped her speed as she eased down Little John Road. The street was quiet, and all the houses had manicured bushes with identical spacious front lawns. When Mrs. Gathers put the Chevy in park and turned off the engine, Sophia reached for her hand.
“Thank you for coming this far with me, Mrs. Gathers. But this part I have to do alone. Don’t drive off without me.”
