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She nodded.
Dad walked into the kitchen behind Mom. “It’s great to see you both.” He took his seat at the end of the table and shook Carter’s hand. “How’s the shop?”
“Busy,” Carter said. “The lot’s full right now.”
Mom sat down in her usual spot. “Let’s eat.”
“What kind of jobs are keeping you busiest?” Dad asked before biting into his sandwich.
“Mostly state inspections and brake jobs.”
Darcy stared down at her plate while she ate her sandwich and tried to figure out the best way to break the news to her parents. Carter’s conversation with Dad about the shop became background noise as she silently went through conversation scenarios in her mind.
Her eyes stung, and she held her breath.
Don’t cry! Keep it together, Darcy!
When she heard her name, Darcy’s eyes snapped to her mother’s across the table. “I’m sorry, Mom. What’d you say?”
Mom tilted her head and set her glass of sweet tea on the table. “Sweetie, are you okay?”
Darcy glanced around to where her father also watched with concern.
Carter touched her arm, and the gentle gesture gave her the courage to speak.
“Mom and Dad,” she began, “I have something to tell you.” Her heart thumped against her ribcage. “I’ve... I’ve been trying to figure out how to admit this to you for a while.”
Her parents exchanged concerned expressions before returning their gazes to hers.
“You can tell us anything,” Dad said. Mom nodded in agreement.
“In May I signed up on a not-for-profit website to try to find my biological mother.” Her voice sounded thin and reedy. “And I found her last month.”
Her mom’s eyes rounded, while her father seemed to remain calm.
“I’ve been talking to her, and we’re getting to know each other. She lives in Concord. She stayed in the Charlotte area just in case I ever tried to find her.” Darcy’s voice quavered, and Carter rubbed her shoulders. “I hope this doesn’t upset you. I love you both, and I’m so grateful you’re my parents. I just needed to find out where I came from. And I wanted to learn my family history.”
Mom picked up a paper napkin and wiped her eyes. “Oh my goodness. I’m sorry you didn’t feel like you could tell us.”
“Please don’t misunderstand me.” Darcy reached across the table to touch her mother’s hand. “I was afraid of hurting you. That’s why I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want you to think I didn’t love you, because I do.”
“Maybe I should wait outside while you talk.” Carter stood.
Darcy looked over at him and considered asking him to stay, but she realized he was right.
Dad pointed to the back door. “You can go out to my garage if you’d like, and I’ll be out there soon.”
Carter gave Darcy a reassuring look, then sauntered toward the back door and disappeared into the garage.
Darcy took her mother’s hands in hers. “You are my mom. You are the woman who raised me, but I needed to get to know my birth mother. I’ll never stop loving either of you.”
Dad nodded. “We understand, Darcy, and you know we love you too.”
“We love you with our whole hearts.” Mom sniffed. “What’s her name?”
“Robyn Decker,” Darcy replied before telling her parents everything. She explained how they talked on the phone for hours and then met in person the next day. She shared the stories about her biological father, her birth mother’s family, and her half-brothers.
Mom nodded slowly. “Wow.”
