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“Mr. Waterstone! How’re the Germans!”
“Very German,” I responded, rather curtly. “Where’s Lauren?”
“She took a few days leave, personal business?”
“Thank you.”
I sent her a text, asking her to call me urgently.
She answered briefly.
Call u 2nite.
I had an excellent dinner with some representatives from the European Union and discussions on shipping our products to member states. Yet, I couldn’t enjoy my successful meetings. I was worried about Lauren and why she wasn’t at work. I went back to my office and decided to call her instead of waiting for her to call me.
“Matthew?”
“Lauren! I haven’t heard from you, what’s going on?”
“I’m fine.”
“Diaz said you took leave?”
“I was going to tell you,” she said, sounding a bit evasive.
“Tell me what?”
“My mother told me the name of my father. I emailed him last week, saying I’d like to meet him, and he responded, inviting me to come and visit him.”
“When was this?”
“Last weekend, as you were leaving for Europe. By the way, how’s Germany?”
“Fine, everything is fine here,” I said, distracted. “But, okay… tell me about this visit.”
“I decided to put in some leave, and I flew to Denver on Monday!” she sounded excited.
“Wait a minute… you’re there already?” I couldn’t believe I didn’t know this. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It happened so fast, and I wanted to talk to you over the phone, but we weren’t able to talk yet,” she said, again sounding reserved, unlike her usual self.
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
“Yes! Of course!”
“How’s the baby?”
“Still growing,” Lauren said, and I felt somewhat reassured.
“So, what’s he like, your father?” I asked.
“Let me just go outside…” she said, trying to get some privacy. After a moment, she went on.
“He’s… not exactly what I thought! I mean, he’s friendly and very laidback! He’s got this farmhouse on some land outside the city. I have my own guest suite. It’s awesome. I’ve got a half-sister named Ava, who’s two years older than me. We clicked right away, I’m so happy I came!”
“Wait a minute… Lauren? When are you coming back?” I don’t know what made me ask this. “You left so suddenly, without saying anything and now it sounds like, I don’t know? Are you sure everything is fine?”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line.
