Made for Each Other by Irene Brand

Author:Irene Brand
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2008-06-21T16:00:00+00:00

As soon as he got home, Jacob went immediately to the phone. His hands trembled as he punched in the digits. On the third ring, a deep voice answered.

Jacob swallowed with difficulty and found he couldn’t speak.

“Hello?” the man said again, questioningly.

Jacob’s voice broken when he finally forced out the words, “I’m calling for Andrew Mallory.”

“Speaking. Judging from my caller ID, is this Jacob Mallory?”

“Yes, sir,” Jacob said, pleased that the introduction had been so easy. Still he hesitated, uncertain about what to say next.

“Why have you called, Jacob?” the man asked, not unkindly.

Half in anticipation, half in dread, Jacob took a deep breath. “A few weeks ago I decided to search for my father, Philip Mallory, who left my mother and me before I was a year old. My search led me to you, and I learned that you were looking for a grandson. The information I have says that you may be my grandfather.”

“How old are you, Jacob?”

“Thirty-four.”

“And where do you live?” the man persisted.

“Benton, Virginia,” Jacob answered, then he posed a question of his own. “May I ask why you’re searching for your grandson?”

Andrew Mallory started to speak, but his voice wavered, and Jacob sensed that the man was crying. After a few moments, Andrew sighed heavily, and his voice was filled with wretchedness when he finally spoke.

“I’m sorry, Jacob, but it’s something I can’t explain over the phone. Let’s try to determine if there is a connection between us before we go any further. Will you send a picture of yourself, Jacob?”

“Yes, sir. I have a fairly recent photo, which I’ll scan and e-mail to you.”

Andrew seemed to have regained his composure, for his voice was steadier as he continued, “Jacob, I’m reasonably sure that you could be our grandson, at least to the extent that we want to meet you and personally discuss a possible relationship.”

“I would like that, sir.”

“We have a winter home in Florida,” Andrew continued, “and that’s where we are now. But our main home is in Malone, New York. My wife and I will be traveling northward along I-95 in June. If it’s convenient, we’d like to stop and see you. How would we reach Benton from I-95?”

“Travel west on US-460. Benton isn’t far from Lynchburg.”

“We have GPS in our car, so as long as I have your address in Benton, I can find you. We will be delighted to find out if you are our grandson.”

“I’d like to meet you, too,” Jacob assured him.

“I can probably tell when I receive your picture if you are related to us,” Andrew said, “but perhaps you look like your mother’s family.”

“I don’t think so. My mother died when I was young, but I don’t bear much resemblance to her.”

“I’ll look forward to receiving your picture. If you are our grandson, then we have many things to discuss, but I’d prefer to do that when we see you.”

Jacob’s throat tightened with emotion, and he spoke hesitantly. “But isn’t there anything you can you tell me about my father now?”

There was no immediate answer, and Jacob was sorry he had asked.

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