“MANDY?” she pleads into the phone.

I hear a male voice in the background say, “Is it her?”

Huh. I’ve been so focused on everything happening to me I never really stopped to wonder about her. Is she married? Or I guess remarried? Does she have other kids?

“It’s not a prank call, is it? Or a reporter?” the male voice asks with a tone seeping of irritation.

I clear my throat and finally speak. “It’s me.”

A wailing sound comes from the other end. Not like she’s in pain or hurt, but like a person who has had a tremendous weight lifted off her shoulders.

Of course. She’s your mother. Remember that.

I have to constantly remind myself that this woman, even though I didn’t know she existed until yesterday, has been looking for me this entire time.

All this time …

The sobs slow down. “I knew we’d find you. I never gave up. Please know that, Amanda. Oh, wait. You don’t go by Amanda, do you? We named you after my mother, your grandmother. But now you go by Allison, right?” I’m glad I’m not the only one nervous about this. She keeps talking faster and faster. “Allison is a nice name. One of my college roommates was named Allison. Or do you prefer Ally?”

“My name is Ally.”

“Okay, Ally, sweetheart. Whatever name you want. How are you? I talked to the sheriff last night, and he said that you’re a really good student and smart. That makes me so relieved to hear that you’ve been doing great. Are you doing okay?”

Of course I’m not doing okay! But I bite my tongue and lie.

“I’m okay.” Although it might not technically be a lie since I have a feeling she’s more wondering what kind of person I turned into. As angry as I am at Dad, he was a good father.

If only I could find the courage to tell Paula about Dad. About how I feel. A daughter should be able to open up to her mother, but Paula is a stranger.

“I am thrilled to hear your voice.” I can practically hear her smile. “We’ve had so many false tips over the years. Even though it hurt to get my hopes up, I knew you were out there. I just knew we’d eventually find you. I don’t want you to think that I’d forgotten or moved on. Not a single day went by without me thinking of you.”

“Honey, take a deep breath,” the guy says.

“I’m sorry. I’m not giving you a chance to talk. I’ve just been imagining this moment for so long. I know you must be confused and scared, but, Mandy, I mean, Ally, please know that I love you and am here for you.”

Love.

She loves me.

But she doesn’t even know me.