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“Oh. You see, I didn’t find this out until after Jack’s death. I found his original birth certificate. I don’t even know how that came about.”
“My mother will have the answer to that. If you’re willing, I’d like to include her in our next meeting.”
Pam and Lisa looked at each other. What would be the point of having a relationship with these people? Then Lisa had the answer.
“You’re my cousins. My sister is on her way over to meet you. She’s also your cousin. Your mother is my aunt. Our family is mostly estranged…”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Pam said, annoyed.
“Mother, think about it. Your sisters Susan and Sharon haven’t contacted us in years. The only real aunt I have is Sister Mary. Uncle Bill is as good as gone.”
“Oh yes, we know about Bill. He’s not an Albert though,” Rene said.
Clarice said, “Thank God.”
“So really, in addition to Aunt Mary, Beverly Johnson is the only aunt I have. I’m excited to meet her. What’s she like?”
“Mother is great. She’s interested in everything. You’ll see. She is anxious to meet you, as you can imagine. She was raised in Saint Agnes so has no family but us.”
“Oh no, the orphanage?” Pam asked.
“Yes, but she’s okay. She doesn’t have a whole lot of horrible stories to relate except for the emotional lack. She did well in school and went to nursing school and met our dad. He’s a great guy, still alive and working when he could probably be retired by now.”
“Are either of you married?”
“No,” they chorused, laughing out loud. “Do you know of any single men?”
“There are a few here in Babylon,” Lisa said, snickering. “I’m sure if you hang around long enough, you’ll meet them.”
She heard the door open, and Ryan walked in. With a sinking heart, she looked at Pam, who subtly shook her head and mouthedno worries. She’d clued him in before she left the house.
Lisa introduced him to the women, and a minute later, Alison arrived, ready to meet more relatives.
“Remember, don’t out Ryan,” Lisa whispered.
They’d have to keep his relationship to everyone a secret until they could determine how trustworthy the women were, or how judgmental.
“I’m going to make coffee,” Lisa said. “Why don’t you all have a seat and get to know one another.”
Pam took over the conversation, getting everyone to be seated while Ryan and Alison asked more questions. Happy to be out from under the stress, Lisa retreated into the kitchen and got a box of pastries out of the fridge to add to Pam’s snacks and arranged them on a plate while the coffee perked.
She was interested in the two women yet of indeterminate age. They were unmarried, something she thought a little strange since they looked to be her age or older. After fixing a tray with the coffee pot, cups and cream and sugar, she took it out to the guests. On her way back to get the pastries and Pam’s appetizers, she suddenly realized this was something Pam would have done. Fixing refreshments was such a great way to remove oneself from the action.
“Oh, this looks good,” Rene said, pointing to the food. “I shouldn’t, but I will.”
The next minutes were occupied with pouring coffee and making small talk. Finally, Alison got the ball rolling.
“What do you do for a living? I’m a mother and so is Lisa, so any exciting stories of the business world will be greatly appreciated.”
“Ha! I’m an attorney,” Clarise said. “Mergers and acquisitions at the Manhattan Group. I called out sick today to come here. I’ll trade places with you any day.”
Barking out a laugh made the others immediately comfortable with Clarise.
“That’s interesting, but so over my head,” Lisa said. “I can’t even remember what my major in college was.”
“Education,” Pam reminded her.
“Oh, right. How about you, Rene?”
