19

Thin along the edges, a deck of high-altitude clouds faded from dark gray in the west to pale almond near the east. Behind the mountain peaks sunbeams reached up to embrace the billowy fluffs, creating a pink tinge that highlighted the massive rock formations like halos while turning them the color of rich cream.

Rebecca gazed out the window of her front door, amazed at the glorious display of light and shadow. If only I had a camera.

She knew the scientific reason for the stunning scene before her, that it was merely sunlight reflecting off moisture in the clouds, but Rebecca preferred to think of the gorgeous sunrise as an exhibition of God’s art. She also knew the presentation would only last a few minutes, and would then disappear as the huge, red-gold orb continued its climb heavenward. So she stayed put and sipped her coffee as the brilliant hues bled away like someone throwing water on a beautiful watercolor painting.

Rebecca finished her coffee, put down the cup and stretched while rubbing her lower back. For the past four days, she’d done nothing but clean cabinets, closets, dresser drawers, and floors.

Ray had been out of town for nearly a week, and she’d used that time to begin sorting through the remainder of Jim’s and the kids’ things. Though they hadn’t discussed it, she imagined she and Ray would live here once they married, or at least until they found a home of their own. The thought made her smile and think about the upcoming holidays.

Thanksgiving was less than three weeks away, Christmas six. Six weeks, and her kids would be home for two. Fourteen delightful days jam-packed with love, laughter and chaos.

Sheer bliss.

Rebecca could hardly wait. Not only for the arrival of her children, but the joy and blessings that would follow. Perhaps this time next year, she’d have a new baby at her breast. Her heart sighed, the pleasure of the idea chased away the momentary doubts and fears.

She closed her eyes and let the wonder and anticipation of what was to come envelope her, wrapping her in a cocoon of warmth and light rivaling that of the sunrise she’d just witnessed.

God, her soul whispered, I never thought I’d feel this way again. Not since those days when I first fell in love with You. Her whole being sang with joy and thanksgiving of His goodness and mercy. “Thank You,” she murmured, exulting in the glory of His presence; then she sank to her knees and raised her hands in praise.

Her intimate encounter with the Holy Spirit was all too brief, but its residual effect followed Rebecca throughout the morning and into early afternoon while she resumed cleaning and sorting through years of accumulated belongings. That was exactly what she was doing when a knock sounded on her door. She opened it to be greeted by a now-familiar face.

Jin smiled. “Hello.”

Rebecca returned the greeting. “How’ve you been?”

“Good.”

She stepped back from the door with a smile, “C’mon in. Would you like something to drink or eat?”

“Thanks.”

Asking his preference of tea, Rebecca set about fixing them each a cup as well as a sandwich. They ate in silence for a few minutes.

“Last time I visit you talked about your two children?”

Rebecca nodded, remembering. “Yes, I showed you a picture of us all.”

“Where are they?”

“My daughter is in France going to college and my son lives in New York. What about your family, do you have any siblings?”

Jin frowned. “What sibling?”

“You know, brothers or sisters,” Rebecca answered.

Jin shook his head a hint of sadness clouding his eyes. “No sibling. My mother home in Korea, my father deceased.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that,” Rebecca said. “How did he die?”

“I not sure, my father American, I not know him well; only met couple times. He dies before I could know him.”

The thought of this child not knowing his father brought back memories of her own childhood, and Rebecca felt a surge of kinship with him. “I never knew my father either. He died before I was born. My mother died when I was four and my grandparents whom I lived with, died when I was six.”

“Who raise you?” Jin asked.

“I was raised by strangers,” Rebecca replied. “In the welfare system.”

Jin shook his head. “I not understand. What welfare system?”

“A government program for orphaned children.”

“You have no more family?” he asked.

Rebecca shook her head. “Not that I know of. I had a grandmother, my father’s mother, but I never knew her. I don’t even know if she’s alive or what.”

“Sad,” Jin said. “I have my mother and grandparents. They die a few years ago, just me and mother now.”

“It must be hard being away from her.”

He nodded. “Yes, very hard, especially since she ill. I wanted to stay in Korea with her, but she insists I come to school in America. I hope to find my father when I come, but not possible now.”

“You said you saw your father a couple of times, if so then you must know his name. Does he have any other family?”

Jin looked at her for a long moment. “He have other family. I don’t think they know about me.”

Rebecca’s heart constricted when she thought about what this young boy was going through, alone in a strange country, the only family he had probably not even aware of his existence.

A knock on the door sounded before she could think of a suitable response. She rose from the table. “Excuse me.” One glance at the clock brought a smile to her lips. She took a moment to run her fingers through her hair before making her way to the front of the house.

Rebecca opened the door and jumped into Ray’s arms, scattering mail all over the porch. “I missed you!” Laughing and breathless, she rained tiny kisses all over his face. “I never thought I’d miss you so much!” The five days Ray had spent in Flagstaff sorting out more of his financial affairs had been some of the longest of her life.

Ray laughed, picked her up and twirled her around then captured her lips in a thorough embrace. “I missed you too,,” he said, his voice something between a groan and a chuckle. “We made a mess of things.”

Rebecca followed his gaze to the scattered mail all around them. A self-conscious little giggle escaped as she squatted to pick up the envelopes. Scent wafted up. Rebecca raised the envelopes to her nose, inhaling the fragrance from the stickers. She blinked back tears. “Oh, Ray, you remembered.”

“How could I forget?” He gave her a tender smile. “You looked so adorable when you said that you missed them. I couldn’t get your expression out of my mind the whole time I was gone.”

Ray helped her gather the remaining envelopes, stood and offered her his free hand. She accepted it, rose and led the way to the kitchen. “C’mon in, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

Ray frowned. “Who?”

She glanced back over her shoulder at him and smiled. “A new friend.”

As they entered the kitchen, Jin rose from his seat at the table.

“Ray, I’d like you to meet Jin; Jin, my friend, Ray.”

“Nice meet you,” Jin said.

Ray reached out to shake hands. “Likewise.”

Jin shook Ray’s hand then looked at Rebecca. “I should go.”

Rebecca smiled, took him by the arm and escorted him to the front door. “It was so nice to visit with you. Come back again. Anytime,” she added, giving his arm an affectionate squeeze.

Jin smiled at her. “Thank you.”

Rebecca waited until he’d stepped off the porch before she closed the door and returned to the kitchen.

“Is he the kid you told me and Jeff about?”

She smiled. “Yes, and as you can see, he’s totally harmless.”

Ray chuckled and took her in his arms, covering her lips with his. “I missed you,” he breathed, nibbling at the corners of her mouth.

His teasing sent tiny sparks of pleasure through her entire being. “I missed you, too,” she murmured, sliding her arms around his neck. Her lips reached for his once more.

Ray put one arm around her waist and buried his other hand in her hair and ended the kiss by slow degrees. “I love you.”

“Love you, too,” she whispered then slipped from his embrace. “Tell me about your trip.”

Ray shook his head. “Not much to tell. Got some more details ironed out on liquidating everything and making sure the shelter has plenty of money at least for the first year or two or until they can get set up for grants and such. Reinvested some money for our future and moved some into my accounts here. Tell me about this Jin kid.”

Rebecca told him what she’d learned about Jin’s life. “It’s so sad,” she remarked. “Being so far from home, no family left except for his mother who is still in Korea and an American family who probably doesn’t even know he exists.”

“Did he tell you his family name?” Ray seemed uneasy, but Rebecca discounted it as his protective streak.

She shook her head. “No, we didn’t get around to discussing it. He’d only been here a few minutes when you arrived.”

“It must be difficult not knowing who you are or where you came from.”

Rebecca didn’t miss the innuendo in his words. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “You think I should open that letter, don’t you?”

Ray covered her hand with his. “Don’t you think it’s time to make peace with your past?” His tone was gentle, but she got the message and glared at him.

He laughed. “And don’t you hate it when your own words come back to haunt you?”

“Yes, I do.” She reached for the cigar box that had sat on the table since the early September morning when she’d received the letter. Her hand trembled as she opened the box and took out the envelope. Her heart thundered as she removed the contents and unfolded the letter.

Dearest Rebecca, it is my hope I am still alive when you read this. It’s also doubtful that I will be, as I find myself getting weaker by the day. Either way, please allow an old woman a few moments of your time to pour out her heart in apology and repentance for denying you your birthright and the chance to grow up within the haven of family. But you see I was bitter and angry at the loss of my son. And though I couldn’t deny your existence and how much you resembled your father, I could deny you were his.

Alas, I know now, even as I knew the times your mother brought you here, that you are most definitely my granddaughter, and I regret not ever taking the time to know you, to love you, and to give you the opportunity to know your father through those who loved him more than life itself.

My man at the investigation agency has been searching for you for more than twenty-five years now. The constant moving during your years in the foster care system then your husband’s Air Force career, made the search long and difficult as these types of records are not always available to the general public, especially since you never showed an interest in finding us. For which I don’t blame you.

No matter the reason, I’ve found you now. It is my prayer that you’ll forgive an old woman’s ignorance and selfishness, and come to Hammondsport. Please know, I will harbor no ill will toward you should you decide not to. However, the door is always open.

Your inheritance waits.

Her grandmother’s name, signed in a weak scrawl that Rebecca could barely make out, triggered a whirl of emotions in her heart. Elizabeth Mae Rawlings, her grandmother, her flesh and blood. Tears dripped down her cheeks when she handed the letter to Ray.

“All these years,” she whispered. “All these years, and I never knew.”

Ray skimmed the contents then folded the paper, slid it back into its envelope and laid it on the table between them. “Her middle name is Mae,” he remarked, awed. “My mother’s name was Regina Mae.”

Rebecca smiled over at him. “You know, there are no coincidences with God.”

“I agree.” Ray grinned. “So, want to go or not?”

“I don’t know.” She breathed. “Do you think I should? I mean there’s no date on the letter. Maybe I should call or write first.”

“Looks like an open invitation to me. I think we should book the next flight out and just go. Wait a minute.” He picked up the letter again. “You said lilacs and grapes?”

Rebecca nodded.

“They’re not in season at the same time. In fact, your grandmother says the ‘times’ your mother brought you there. So, you had to have gone more than once.”

Rebecca shrugged. “Maybe, I don’t really remember.”

“Tell me about the dream,” Ray urged. “Leave nothing out.”

Rebecca closed her eyes. “I’m driving up a long, winding road. There’s a glint of silver in my rear-view mirror. The scent of lilacs and grapes are heavy in the air. So heavy in fact, I can smell them now,” she added, taking a deep breath.

“Was your husband ever stationed near Hammondsport, New York?” Ray asked.

Rebecca shook her head.

“Then you couldn’t have been driving. Weird.”

“I know,” she agreed.

Ray shrugged. “Oh, well, it’ll probably make sense once we get there.” He scooted back from the table and walked to the counter to get the phone. Within a few minutes, he’d booked the next flight out.

They would land in Rochester then rent a car to travel to Hammondsport. Their departing flight would leave in less than four hours.

Rebecca packed a suitcase, called her children and took a shower.

She and Ray stopped off at his apartment on the way out so he could repack his suitcase. Since layovers would put them in Rochester sometime in the early morning hours, they would rent a car, find a motel for the remainder of the night and then travel on to Hammondsport the next day.

To what, Rebecca didn’t know.

Would her grandmother still be alive?