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“I’m angry they manipulated me, and I’m mad they gave up my daughter.” She paused, gathering her thoughts. “But they also said they’ll do everything in their power to help me get her back. If they had said nothing in the first place, I would be oblivious. Ozzy just got his grandparents back, and I should nurture that. Life is too short to be angry, and I’d rather spend the time looking for my daughter.”
I was meeting with the Youngs this afternoon, hoping to get more answers. Mrs. Young had broken down on the phone. Laura was right: they needed each other now more than ever.
“You’re incredible,” I said to her. “Just when I thought I couldn’t love you any harder. Your parents are welcome. It will be a great day. The entire family will be here.”
“Daddy, Mommy’s here!” the girls screamed from the back as Tiffany strolled toward them through the side yard. They hopped off the swings and ran to their mother. Kensi sped like she’d never had surgery.
“Tiffany is here to pick up the girls,” I said. “I should go. I’ll let you know as soon as I find anything new. And Laura?”
“Yes?”
“You call me if you need me. I don’t want to push, but I’m only twenty minutes away.”
“Thank you, James. I mean it. I… I want you to know something, too.”
“Yes?”
“It’s on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t say it until I fix things.”
“So until you find your daughter?”
“No…”
I pictured her shaking her head and closing her eyes as she sighed.
“I need you to know how much I adore having you in my life and how much I hope you’ll be in it for a very long time. Once I clean up the mess of a life I’ve made.”
“Hey, everybody’s got a little bit of a mess in their lives. Go take that nap before Ozzy wakes up, and call me when you’re up.”
“I will. Take care.”
We hung up, and I carefully stepped down the patio steps to the grass. Leaves swirled underneath my feet. I kicked through them, crossing the yard. Leaf raking was off the to-do list this year because I barely had the energy and strength. The girls piled them into heaps, which blew through the yard.
“Hey, Tiff. Are you ready for this weekend?”
“Can’t wait to celebrate my girl’s super liver. That’s what she’s been calling her new liver.”
“She’s right.” I messed Kensi’s hair, and she giggled, running back to the swing.
“How are you feeling?” Tiffany asked.
“Much better with the spleen gone. The pills are killing my stomach.”
“You should switch your diet. How’s the pain?”
“Nothing I can’t handle.”
“You don’t need to be sedulous. What can I do to help?”
I crossed my arms in front of me and put my head to one side in a questioning manner. “Are you okay, Tiff? I mean, after the transplant? You’ve been on your feet, barely recovering.”
“What can I say? My vegetarian diet is paying off. You should try it.”
I laughed. “I may. Glad to hear you’re well. Tiff,” I gently wrapped my arm around her and pulled her aside, “I want to find Kensi’s birth parents.”
She stopped. “What? Why?”
“Medical history. What if there’s breast cancer in her family or melanoma or mental health issues? We need to be prepared.”
