Thank you so much for responding. I’m sorry for the loss your family experienced recently. I haven’t had much luck connecting with relatives on this site until your message hit my inbox. From everything you’ve told me, it does seem like Teresa was my biological mother, which I guess would make you my grand uncle. I can’t tell you how much it means to know I resemble her. Since I found out I’m adopted, I’ve been feeling disconnected and lost. I noticed from your profile that you live in Connecticut. I’m wondering if you’d be willing to meet? I’d love to get to know you and hear more about my mother. If you know how to contact her, I would really appreciate the opportunity to speak with her as well. My job hours are flexible so I could drive up on a day that suits you. Let me know what you think.

Best,

Liz

My finger hovered over the ‘Send’ button. Before I could talk myself out of it, I squeezed my eyes shut and clicked. I sat back and imagined a thousand different scenarios. My uncle greeting me with open arms and a kiss on the cheek. My uncle replying no, he wasn’t interested in meeting me, he had enough family. Me showing up and him opening the door, an awkward silence following that neither of us knew how to break. I was pulled from my slew of imaginary scenarios when Andie blew through the front door.

‘Hey Cuz. Oh nice, are we drinking already?’ Andie dropped her bag and keys right in the entryway. The air came alive in the room with Andie’s energy. She swept the curtains over the dining room window apart, blanketing the room in a warm amber glow from the sunset.

‘You bet I am, grab a glass and join me. Guess what?’ I replied, unable to keep the smile off my face.

‘That guy you went on a date with last week finally texted you?’ Andie said with a big expectant smile as she walked through her open bedroom door.

‘No, he definitely ghosted. Not that I really care, I have way more important things to focus on right now. This news is so much better. I got a reply on 23andMe!’ I hollered into the other room.

‘Oh my God! From who?’ she said, breezing back into the living room while she pulled a white tank top over her head, sitting down next to me. She reached over and took a swig from my glass.

‘Must you always drink my wine? Can’t you get your own?’

Andie shrugged her shoulders. ‘Yours tastes better,’ she said with a mischievous wink. ‘So. Tell me. Who replied?’

‘I’ve got a grand uncle!’ I said, throwing my arms open wide like I’d just told her I’d won the lottery.