I nodded and he led me to a bench near the entrance to Fairfield’s lobby. We settled and Mel turned to face me.

“I’ve gone around and around for months with this, Ronni, not knowing if I should tell you. Violet didn’t really want me to, but she didn’t forbid it.”

My heart thudded. “Okay.”

“Tolly Thompson was not a good man, Ronni, as you know,” Mel began. “But when he died, he left Violet a wealthy woman. At first, she played with her money; she traveled and bought a new car and jewelry and other expensive stuff. It didn’t make her happy, though.” He stopped to smile at me. “So, she came to see me about setting up a foundation to fund shelters for battered women, which we did. Soon after, we formed another charity called All God’s Children. Its purpose is to assist families in adopting children out of foster care, getting them out of the system. I still serve on the board after all these years.”

“Oh my gosh.” I thought I knew what was coming, but waited for him to say the words.

“The Johnsons weren’t very well off, Ronni, and they depended on the monthly checks they received to care for you. But they loved you and very much wanted to adopt you permanently. They approached Violet, and she approved the funding for your adoption.”

Memories of my parents brought tears to my eyes. I sat quietly for a minute, thinking about them, before it occurred to me and I blurted, “So she knew who I was when we met here?” I shook my head in disbelief.

“Not at first. She pieced it together after a while. Violet didn’t tell you because she didn’t want to diminish the love your Mom and Dad had for you and all the sacrifices they made. They adored you, Ronni, and dedicated themselves to raising you and securing your future. Violet said all she did was write a check with her dead husband’s money.”

“It was much more than that,” I palmed away a tear. “When Mom and Dad told me they wanted to adopt me, that I was going to be Ronni Johnson...well, it was the first time the ground under my feet felt solid. It’s the point where I started looking forward instead of back.”

“Maybe I should have kept quiet, Ronni. Like I said, I’ve debated whether to share this with you for a long time.” Mel stared at something in the distance.

“No, you did the right thing, and I thank you so much. I’m grateful to know Violet helped me all those years ago. She changed my whole life.”

Mel smiled and patted my hand. “She changed a lot of lives, Ronni. Everybody loved her.”

I laughed softly. “So she mentioned.”

Mel stood and said, “I have to get on the road. Have a wonderful book tour, Ronni. You’ll be great.”

“Thank you.” I hugged him goodbye and watched him walk to his car, lingering until his lights faded into the distance.