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“I searched for Pam Smith first, and everything was private for her.”
Lisa went into the back of the house and dialed Pam’s number.
“Okay, are you ready for this?” she asked when Pam answered. “Dad has a half-sister, Beverly Johnson, and her daughters are here.”
Nothing registered for a second, then, “Oh my god.”
She explained what she knew. The day after Jack died, Pam had driven alone into the city to meet Sandra. But first, she went to his Madison Avenue apartment. In a hallway closet, she discovered a box of papers that included a letter from Beverly Johnson, introducing herself to Jack as his half-sister. The letter was also the introduction to his birth father, and the birth certificate with Bertram Albert’s name in the space for father.
“Do you want to come down and meet them?”
“Sure, I’ll run down. What else can happen?”
“How’s Jake?”
“I guess he’s okay,” she said, not offering anything else.
“Well, come on down,” she said. “I’m suddenly feeling shy.”
After ending the call, Lisa when back out into the living room. The women were standing at the window on the porch facing the water.
“What a beautiful day. It’s really summer at last.”
“Where do you live?” Lisa asked.
“We’re from the area,” Clarice said. “Amityville. Our mother was raised on the Lower East Side.”
“My mother said your mom was in contact with my father.”
“They did make contact, but it abruptly ended, and then my mother found out Jack had died. We’re so sorry.”
“I have so many questions, but let’s wait until my mother arrives.”
“You have a beautiful home,” Rene said, looking around. “I love the ocean. You’re so lucky to have this view.”
“I’ve lived by the water all my life,” Lisa said unapologetically.
A tap on the door and she was saved. Unlocking, she rolled her eyes at Pam.
“I’m terrible at this,” she whispered.
“I brought snacks,” she said, handing over a foil-covered tray.
“Of course you did. Why didn’t Ryan come back?”
“He didn’t want to hear it, I guess. Do you think Alison could be interested?”
“I’ll call her. Go introduce yourself,” Lisa hissed, pushing her to the living room.
“Hi, I’m Jack’s wife. Er, was his wife. I read the letter your mother wrote him, and had forgotten about it until today when Lisa called.”
They introduced themselves. “Next time, we’ll bring our mother,” Clarice said. “She was too nervous to barge in, but I didn’t want to write a letter and wait for the answer. We saw the article in the weekend section about your Memorial Day party, too, but I didn’t catch the name change until just now. Braddock.”
“Yes, my late husband, Randy. I’m going to go back to Smith, though. I’ve been thinking about it, and it will bring an amount of anonymity.
“Your mother is a Johnson.”
“Yes, but that’s my father’s last name. She was Beverly Albert.”
