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And drops her phone.
It clatters to the sidewalk.
The woman presses her hand to her chest.
We move closer. I’m supposed to ask her if she’s Anita, but she seems to recognize me.
“You can’t be Donahue,” she says. “So you must be Gabriel.”
I have no idea what she means, but I stop walking now that she’s said my name. There are similarities. The way our eyes slant the same way in the corners. The shape of her upper lip.
When nobody speaks, Tillie bends down to pick up Anita’s phone.
“It doesn’t look harmed. Call is still on, though.” She passes it to Anita.
Anita doesn’t look away from me as she lifts the phone. “Mattie, I’ll have to call you back. My past just caught up to me.” She ends the call and sets the phone on the table.
I clear my throat. I want to sound strong and unaffected, even though I’m anything but. “Then I guess you’re Anita Clemens.”
She nods. “And you’re Gabriel. Or were. Did they keep the name I gave you?”
“Yes. I go by Gabe.”
“Gabe Clemens?”
“No. I took my mother’s name. Or, she gave it to me. When she adopted me.”
Anita nods. She gestures to the table. “Sit down. Of course.”
Tillie quickly arranges two more chairs on the opposite side. “Should I stay or go?”
“Stay,” I say. “I’d like you to be here.”
“Is this your ...” Anita trails off.
“Girlfriend,” Tillie says. “I’m Tillie James. I live here in Atlanta.”
Anita glances at her with a small smile, then turns back to me. “Do you, Gabe? Live in Atlanta?”
Is there hope in her voice? Or concern?
“No. I still live on La Jarra.”
She nods. “It’s a beautiful place. Did you do one of those DNA tests? When they became popular, I knew it meant you might find your birth family. I have a distant uncle named Arthur who did it and emailed everyone the results.”
“No. My mom kept tabs on you in case I ever wanted to meet you.”
She folds her hands together on her lap. “And now you do.”
“Yeah. It’s been ... There are some question marks.”
“Of course.” She looks beyond me, out onto the quiet street. “I’ve practiced what I would say a few times, especially since Arthurentered the genetic database, but I find now that I’m here, it’s all quite wrong.”
When I don’t answer, Tillie speaks up. “I don’t think there needs to be any speeches. Maybe just sit with this a bit.”
Anita smiles at Tillie. “You’re very wise.”
The server appears. “You have more! Can I get you some coffee? Tea? We have fresh buttered croissants.”
