“I know.” I beam up at him, knowing that no matter what happens, James would always be my family.

We walk up the somewhat rickety steps and I note the weather worn porch furniture and the leaves coating the area despite the fact that it’s only the first week of September.

I take a deep breath when I hear the rich timber of his voice right in my ear. “When you’re ready.”

“I’m ready,” I tell him before knocking on the door. I don’t hear anything on the other side, so I knock again and I hear a gruff voice bellow through the door.

“Alright, I’m coming.”

James immediately moves closer to me I assume to ensure I feel safe because the voice doesn’t sound particularly warm or welcoming.

The door opens and the first thing I notice is the resemblance. We have to be related somehow! A smile crosses my face at the idea of meeting family as he opens the screen door.

“Can I help y’all?” He’s older, maybe like the age of who would be my grandfather, with dark brown eyes behind glasses perched low on his nose and salt and pepper unkempt hair. He has a long grey beard and two small gold hoops in one ear. He is about the same skin color as me, maybe a little lighter and despite his grey hair and the wrinkles he appears to be in decent shape despite his all black sweatsuit.

“Yes, hi, I mean… hello, how are you?” I say nervously.

“Who’s asking?”

“Ummm me?” I respond. Is this the Southern Hospitality people talk about? He doesn’t respond and I shake my head. “Right, get to the point. I’m Gabrielle and ummm…I was born here in Mississippi but I was put up for adoption when I was a baby and the last known location of my birth mother is here? So I just thought…”

He takes a step outside, closing the door behind him and James immediately pulls me backwards and somewhat behind him. “You just thought, what?” He narrows his eyes and I see a hint of something angry behind them. “If y’all looking for Missy she’s been gone a long time.”

“Missy? Is that ummm Melinda?” He nods. “She was…my mother.”

“Thought so. You look like her.”

“Really?” I know my eyes have to be wide having never even seen what my mother looked like. “Would you happen to have a picture or maybe some of her things I could have?”

“I threw out most of her shit she didn’t take when she left. Ungrateful little brat.”

“Okay, are you preparing to be any kind of helpful?” James interjects and while I appreciate him for combatting this guy’s aggression I don’t want to piss this guy off before I get at least a few answers.

“May I ask how you know Melinda?” I ask him.