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We looked at each other, but his gaze was too intense, so I lowered my eyes down again.
“If my showing up here ruins or derails your life, it doesn’t have to leave this room. I can leave right now and never contact you again. I know this is crazy weird, and I—”
I heard a sniff. I looked at him, and tears were running down his face. He was holding my DNA results paper. “I can’t believe this; I can’t believe I have a daughter.”
I was stunned at his reaction.
“Can I hug you?” he whispered.
I stood up way too eagerly. “Yes, please!”
I started crying the moment we touched. He smelled like wood and Carvin. It’s a lacquer that goes on guitars. Which smells like vanilla to me. I felt a massive wave of relief when his arms wrapped around me. My chest filled with warmth. I can’t even explain how good it felt to hug him. He held me for a few minutes until he pushed me back to look at my face up close.
“You have my eyes.”
I nodded, and the tears just kept coming. August rubbed my cheeks and looked at me like he was studying me.
“My daughter. I–I can’t believe this. You are an absolute gift from God; do you know that?”
I laughed through my tears. August let me go as he went to grab me some tissues to clean my face. I was thanking God that I went with light makeup today.
He moved my chair to the other side of his desk, right next to his so we were a bit closer when we were talking. He leaned onto his knees and held both my hands in his as we spoke.
“I can’t wait to learn everything there is to know about you and your family.”
“You aren’t angry?” I asked. I was still kind of stunned and was trying to tread lightly.
“I know I will probably have some different feelings once the shock and happiness wears off, but right now, gratitude is the only thing I can feel.” He paused so he could take a breath. He was speaking so fast, just like I do. “So, tell me everything.”
This excitement was not the reaction I was expecting. I was shocked he was taking this so well. Could he really be this nice?
I went on to share everything I could. I shared how I always felt out of place growing up. I told him how I always knew something was missing, and we talked about my love of music. He found that quite ironic. I found out that he also plays guitar from time to time. He took a class on instrument making and made something once, but it wasn't his thing. We decided we would jam together at some point. I couldn’t stop word-vomiting about my life once I realized how similar we were. About an hour later, we were interrupted when there was a knock at the door.
“Hey, sorry to interrupt, but someone out there needs to talk to you about a tuba,” Link said.
August looked at me with worry. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere. I want to take you to lunch.” He said with hope in his voice. He put his hand on my shoulder before he walked away.
I put my hand on his. “I wouldn’t dream of it. I’d love to get lunch with you.”
Link stepped out of the way and let him go by. He stepped into the office. “You guys have been back here for a while; you good?” He had a grin on his face like he could tell whatever was going on was good news.
“I’m great.” I smiled.
“You gonna let me in on the secret as to why you’re here?”
I shook my head. “I will leave it to August to share that information with you.” I was still smiling ear to ear. “Do you have a bathroom here? I would love to freshen up a little bit.”
He pointed to a door to my left.
“Thanks.”
Lincoln looked as confused as ever. Understandably so.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Lincoln
Ihad no idea what was happening, but she was smiling, which, if I had to guess, seemed like a good sign. I’ve seen her smile a few times since yesterday in several different settings, but not like this. This smile was reaching her eyes, making them sparkle. It was a new kind of beauty. Somehow, they were a brighter blue than yesterday.
