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A short time later, we pulled into the courthouse parking lot and I cut the engine. Gabe and I gave each other a nod that seemed to say that we were ready to head into battle together. I probably wasn't the sort of teammate he was used to but I’d show him I could hold my own. When it came to the baby, I was ready to go full Mama bear.
Gabe went over to speak with the clerk and I stood next to him, cradling Savannah in my arms. The woman’s eyes jumped from him, to me, then the baby. I wondered what she thought about us. Did she know the details of the case, or did she think we were involved in some daytime television paternity scandal?
For a moment I envisioned how we appeared. Savannah looked like the man I knew was her real father, but could the clerk tell that I was nothing more than a glorified babysitter? I shook my head. No, I was Savannah’sgodmother. I mattered.
The baby sighed and placed her head on my shoulder. It was as if she’d heard my thoughts. I kissed the top of her head and Gabe glanced at me, his eyes soft for a moment.
The clerk looked everything over and stamped a few forms before glancing up at Gabe and handing them to him.
“You’ll need to submit to a DNA test as well, and it will take a few weeks to get the results,” the clerk said, her expression pinched. “I hope you’ll react better to that news than the last man who was here. Our lab is backed up at the moment, and there’s nothing we can do about it, I’m afraid.”
Gabe’s hands tightened on the documents at the mention of Elijah, crumpling them. I jumped in.
“As long as Savannah won’t be removed from my care until the results are back, I’m fine with it.” I looked at Gabe and he nodded. “I mean,we’refine with it.”
The clerk assured me everything would remain the same so we gathered our things to head out.
We walked down the hallway in silence and when we stepped outside, I finally felt like I could breathe again.
SIX
Ididn’t end up getting my blood drawn until three days later.
By the time we left the courthouse, Savannah was ready for her feeding and she was getting fussy, so we headed back to Charlotte’s place. Then the lab was closed for the weekend, and I had to watch the baby while Charlotte worked at the tavern, so yeah. Monday it was.
Now, as I drove by myself through the Appalachian Mountains back toward Charles Town, I was struck again by how pretty it was here. Especially this time of year, when the leaves were starting to turn. The fall colors reminded me of how much I appreciated the change of seasons. No matter how far work took me from my home it would aways be in my blood.
The lab was in a brick building a few streets down from the courthouse, and I parallel parked at the curb before going inside. There was a sterile waiting room that smelled faintly of antiseptic and bleach. It reminded me of a military clinic. Going overseas, it seemed like I was constantly getting a shot for something or other. I was more than used to medical waiting rooms.
After I checked in with the receptionist I took a seat and scrolled through my phone. Nothing seemed to work to quiet the noise in my head. What I was about to do was a big deal and could change the course of my life. I fought off a shudder.
A felt eyes on my and looked up to see a grey-haired woman staring at me. It took me a second to process why.
“Gabe? Is that you?”
I jumped out of my chair and felt my face go hot. “Yes, Ma’am, it’s me. Been a long time.”
Too long.
Mrs. Kepner took me in and kept me in school after my family died so I could finish my senior year, a neighbor who went out on a limb to help me. She’d been one of my champions back then, but I hadn’t seen her or spoken to her since I left for the Navy.
“Don’t you ‘ma’am’ me! Get over here,” she smiled warmly as she walked towards me and took me into an embrace.
She felt thinner than I remembered, and smaller somehow. She let me go, then looked me over. “You look great, Gabe,” she said, smiling. “I always wondered how you made out after you left Harpers Ferry.”
I felt guilty for not keeping in touch with her after all she’d done for me, but when I’d left this place behind, I’d left for good. Or so I thought. Now, I realized I’d done so at the expense of all the people who’d helped me through the darkest period of my life. Heat prickled my cheeks as I apologized. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Kepner. Things were rough back then, and I was young and stupid and—”
“Sweetheart, just stop,” she said, holding up a hand. “I understand.”
“Well, thank you for everything you did for me.” I wasn’t sure I’d ever said those words to her before, but I wanted her to know now. “I wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for you.”
Mrs. Kepner patted my cheek. “You’re very welcome, Gabe. And you could write to me once in a while, you know. My address hasn’t changed.”
“Okay,” I said, still blushing. “I promise I will.”
“Mr. Kelley?” the receptionist called. “The lab tech is ready for you now.”
“Guess that’s me,” I said, stating the obvious. “See you later.”
