“Do you remember calling me?” David’s mom said.

“I do. I do.”

“My hands were shaking. I didn’t know what to expect.”

“When I was getting further into your story—” Melissa turned to David—“into your parents’ story, it just grabbed me. Your parents seemed to be genuine. They seemed to have genuine faith, and they didn’t use religion as a bargaining chip. Jesus is my Savior now. Jesus is my Lord. It’s because of Him all this is happening.”

David had wanted to ask about her faith at some point but didn’t know how to bring it up. That she had volunteered this important part of her story warmed his heart.

“So what did Brian think about all of this? Me coming back?”

Melissa’s voice changed. It lowered and she looked somber. “I’ll let him speak for himself.”

“Okay, sure.” David studied the carpet, wondering if he’d ever get the chance for Brian to speak for himself. Before he could recover, Melissa spoke in a tiny voice, like a child reaching for a hand.

“So were you mad at me?”

David looked up and saw Melissa’s tortured face. “Never.”

Tears came to her eyes again. “Did you ever think that I didn’t want you?”

David rubbed his hands together and leaned back. “Umm . . .”

“I would understand if you did.”

“No. I think I just wondered if you ever thought about me. That was my only concern.”

Melissa seemed to drink in the words but she didn’t say anything. After a moment David said, “Listen. I’m so grateful for my life. But I had a hard time telling people that I was adopted because I hadn’t really realized what that meant yet.”

David looked around the room at his mom and dad and Courtney. Shawn was there and Nate was busy with his camera. He turned back to Melissa. “But I’m glad that I’m adopted.”

Melissa looked him in the eyes. “I thought about you every day.”

Another flood of warmth spread through David and he said, “I’m not mad at you. If anything, I’m thankful.”

More tears from Melissa and she tried to contain them but couldn’t. When she could speak, she turned to David’s mom and said, “When you know your baby’s not coming home with you . . . I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous. There’s about every emotion you could feel.” She looked back at David. “But I knew you were going to the right place.”

Melissa put a hand to her face and her shoulders shook. David drew close and put an arm around her. “Thank you. I’ve had a great life.”

“I know you have,” Melissa said through her sobs.

“It’s because of you. You gave that to me.”

Melissa pulled back. “Thank you,” she said quietly. She looked at Courtney, whose eyes were rimmed with tears.