Faraway and Forever by Nancy Joie Wilkie

Faraway and Forever by Nancy Joie Wilkie

Author:Nancy Joie Wilkie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: She Writes Press


* * *

Friday Morning

“SO. YOU DECIDED TO PAY ME another visit, did you?” says my mother as the door slides open. “You’ve got some courage, I’ll say that. Wonder which side of the family that comes from, eh?”

I’m immediately taken aback. She is presenting a much different picture of herself. Perhaps she was expecting another visit and cleaned herself up? Her hair is brushed and pulled back in a bun. Her clothes seem less drab. And maybe it’s my imagination, but she seems to be wearing some makeup.

“Well, don’t just stand there. Come in,” she offers me an unanticipated invitation. I am shocked at the change of her demeanor.

“Thank you,” I reply. As I move through the doorway, I am surprised to see a much different living space. Gone are the piles of clutter. The room is lighter. There are pictures and paintings on the wall and pieces of furniture. And there is an aroma of something cooking in the kitchen.

“So,” she starts off again. “Let me guess. You have questions. You want to know more about me and your father, how we met, and why we parted ways. Hmmm. You might be surprised to know I have some questions for you.”

You better believe I have some questions, I think to myself. Like which one of my parents placed me in the orphanage. But I keep silent for now.

She motions me to sit down in a chair covered with featureless material. Fabric produced on Prox doesn’t generally have ornate patterns or intricate textures. “Please, ask me anything you like,” I offer.

My mother crosses the small living room and sits herself down into a matching chair. She takes a sip of water from a glass sitting on a three-legged table next to her seat. She clears her throat and begins.

“How did you find me, again? You said your father sent you a note?”

I need to be careful, I think. I shouldn’t offer too much information until I’m sure of her intentions. “You might know I’m getting ready to turn eighteen on Monday, as a matter of fact. The orphanage . . . that is where I’ve been living my whole life . . . ends their care for kids when we turn eighteen. My time there is almost up.”

My mother is staring rather intently at me. It makes me feel uncomfortable.

“To help prepare us for the outside world, the orphanage shares any information they might have on who brought us there and when and any other information they might have about our background. They also give us any names of individuals who might put us up or help us find work once we leave the orphanage.”

She continues to stare. I wonder what she is thinking. At least she is listening. Listening and not yelling or screaming at me.

“Earlier this week I met with the Sister who has been responsible for me my entire life, Sister Kaa’thrina. She gave me a file. There was only a single piece of paper in the file.



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