AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Darcy leaned back in her chair and mulled over why she was afraid to tell Carter how she felt. Perhaps she wasn’t sure how he’d react when he found out the truth about her past. Would he want a woman who’d received a transplant and had to take medications for the rest of her life? But more than that, what if she found her birth mother and learned her kidney disease was hereditary? Would he want to plan a future with a woman who could possibly pass that disease on to their children?
Releasing a deep breath, she tried to turn her attention to her work emails. But when she found nothing pressing in her inbox, she pulled her phone from the pocket of her blazer and scrolled through a few photos of Carter. In one recent favorite, he stood next to a light metallic green 1968 Plymouth Fury during a car show the previous weekend.
She’d begun to cherish their car show dates in particular. As they walked around looking at the cars, they talked about everything from their favorite makes and models at the show to their childhoods to their workweeks. She still hadn’t found the courage to tell him about her kidney transplant, but she had shared a little more about Jace. She promised herself she would tell Carter everything someday soon.
When Darcy returned to her email app, she found a message from the Lost and Found website. Her hands began to tremble as she opened the message and read it.
Dear Ms.Larsen,
We have information regarding your biological mother. Please call us for more details.
As Darcy read the email over and over again, her entire body began to quake. Maybe they found my biological mother! Her mouth dried as she debated what to do. She needed encouragement. She needed to talk to Carter.
Darcy: Can you talk?
Her phone began to ring almost immediately, and Carter’s name and photo filled her screen. “Hey.”
“What’s going on?” he asked. The sounds of tools and automotive noise faded into the background, and she imagined him walking out to the parking lot.
“You’re not going to believe this.”
“What? Is something wrong?”
“I... I got an email from Lost and Found.” She swiveled in her chair as she read the email to him.
“That’s good news, Darce.” She could hear the smile in his voice.
“Is it?” Her voice creaked. “What if it’s not good news? What if she’s no longer living? Or what if she doesn’t want to talk to me? What if she never wanted me? Was looking for her a mistake?”
“You won’t know until you call. I understand that you’re scared. It’s your decision if you reach out or not, but you’ve come this far.” He paused. “Do you want to call them and find out?”
Her eyes brimmed with tears. “I... I don’t know. I’m scared, Carter. I’m not as brave as I thought I was.”
“Hey, babe. It’s okay. If you’re not ready, then don’t reach out. That doesn’t mean you’re a coward. You don’t have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.”
Darcy plucked a tissue from the box on her desk and dabbed her eyes. “I’m a wreck.” A nervous laugh escaped her throat.
“Tell me how I can help you.” His voice was warm, smooth, and exactly what she needed. “Do you want me to come over tonight? I can sit with you while you make the call.”
She smiled. How had she managed to find such a wonderful and supportive boyfriend? “That’s sweet, but I need to do this alone. Thanks for listening.”
“Anytime. Call me if you need me.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as I find out the news.”
“I’ll be waiting,” he promised before they disconnected the call.
Darcy stared at the email for a few moments, then picked up her phone again and dialed the number.
***
Later that evening, Darcy sat on her sofa and stared down at the name and phone number the woman at Lost and Found had given her. The woman’s name was Robyn, and her phone number was local—meaning this woman who might be her biological mother might also be living in the Charlotte area.
Darcy had stared at the phone number for the past thirty minutes. She had paced her family room, nibbled on her fingernails, made herself a snack, and then paced some more. At one point, she considered taking Carter up on his offer of sitting with her while she called the woman. But then she talked herself out of it.
You’ve waited your entire life for this moment, Darcy. Just dial the number!
“Okay, okay,” she whispered. Then she laughed. “I’m actually talking to myself and answering myself. I’m truly losing it!”
