Existing Solutions by Jennifer L. Jordan

Author:Jennifer L. Jordan [Jordan, Jennifer L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780963407511
Google: rRx1MAEACAAJ
Amazon: 1883523699
Barnesnoble: 1883523699
Goodreads: 4791581
Publisher: Our Power Press
Published: 1993-02-15T03:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Friday, I woke up two hours ahead of the alarm and lay in bed thinking about what I would say to Destiny. My practiced versions varied, but all stressed the same points: I'm attracted to you; I care about you; I want to start seriously dating.

I dressed more carefully than usual, meaning I chose clothes from the closet, not the floor. I put on a starched blue shirt that highlighted the color of my eyes, a pair of my best-fitting faded jeans, and bright white deck shoes.

At the office, I was in a buoyant, generous mood. I barely stopped myself from offering my employees big raises and my clients deep discounts. I bought croissants for everyone and joyfully answered the phone every time it rang. Of course, I didn't get a scrap of work done.

At noon, I met Destiny outside Sappho's, a coffeehouse on Capitol Hill. She looked more radiant than ever. Even with dark circles under her eyes, clothes askew, and hair tangled, she made my heart ache.

We climbed the steps to the second-story restaurant. At the top of the landing, I gestured to a table that overlooked Colfax Avenue, and we seated ourselves. When the waitress found us, we placed our order.

After the woman ambled toward the kitchen, Destiny said, “Lunch is on me today. I owe you one for finding my father.”

My appetite vanished. “Really?”

“I can't tell you how glad I am that I met him,” she said, a glazed look in her eyes. “I think he's going to be someone really important in my life.”

“You know all this from the one meeting we had with him?” I shifted in my chair.

“Oh, no!” she exclaimed in an artificially high voice. “He invited me to lunch yesterday.”

“And you went?” I felt a headache coming on, thanks to the intensity of my frown.

“Sure, and I had a great time.”

“I thought you told me you were busy all week.”

“I did. I am.”

“Not too busy for your father, obviously. What were you doing? You could have been in danger. Why didn't you call me?”

“Kris, you worry too much. I'm not a fool—I met him in a public place. We ate at a restaurant near his office. And I am his daughter, you know. The man wouldn't rape his own daughter, would he?”

I let out a sound of disgust.

“Anyway, we had an unbelievable lunch. He told me he'd seen me on the news and wondered for years if I was his daughter. He wanted to call and tell me how proud he was but thought he shouldn't disturb my life. Wasn't that nice of him?”

“Lovely,” I answered sarcastically. I took a sip of ice water and pressed the glass to my forehead.

“I have this incredible sense that even though we were apart for thirty years, we're so much alike. It gives me goose bumps just thinking about it. He even took off the cross he wears around his neck, the one the bishop blessed, and he let me hold it. I felt so connected to him when I touched it.

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