He waited in the kitchen until she came down again and told her what he’d learned. He was glad to see her composure about the Fletcher situation—and pleased that she responded so positively to the road trip. “We can stay at my place! And you can meet Emma,” she said. They agreed to invite Carly. And just after they discussed this, Carly and J.P. were at the door. She told them with great enthusiasm about where they’d been, adding that they’d also had “the talk,” their own version of the Big Meet.

Cord described the trip they were planning and asked if she’d like to join them.

“Yes! I’ve never been to Seattle. And I’d love to meet your… Julie.” She frowned. “I’ll have to check with Meg and see if she’s going to need cat care.”

“If she does, I’m sure Tina will help. Or maybe Lindsey, since she drives and has access to a car?”

“Besides,” Cord pointed out. “I still have to call Julie to make arrangements and set up a time.”

“If necessary,” J.P. said, “I could drop in on Meg. I’m sure I can deal with the cats—how hard could that be?”

“Well…” Carly seemed to be deliberating on his potential cat-handling skills. “I know she’d love to see you again…”

“Give me a call if she needs me.”

J.P. left then, after congratulating Cord on reconnecting with his mother. That evening, holding his breath, Cord called the number Eddie had given him. A woman answered on the first ring. “Julie?”

“Cord? Oh, my God! Oh, my God, it’s you.”

“Sure is.”

“You have no idea how much I’ve wanted this, how long I’ve wanted it. I’ve felt a lot of guilt over what I did—and what I didn’t do—all those years ago. But… I never felt I had the right to contact you.” More than once, he could hear her gulping down sobs.

He acknowledged privately that he wouldn’t have been emotionally prepared for this before, and barely was, even now. “Well, we’re finally in touch.” Kind of a lame remark, but it was the only thing he could manage for a minute or two. He’d never dared to imagine this… He was talking to his mother!

Feeling oddly shy, he asked, “Would you be interested in having me visit?”

“Of course! I’d like nothing better. And I’d love for you to meet my husband, Chris Daniels, who’s a lieutenant at Everett Naval Base, and our daughter, Kathleen.”

“I’d like that, too. And would it be okay with you if I brought the woman I’m…seeing? Her name’s Shallie. As well as a young friend of ours?”

“Totally okay!”