A young woman was standing beside it.
Even at that distance, I could see her staring toward the house.
Thomas took a slow breath.
“That’s her.”
Dad rose.
The young woman did not move.
Neither did we.
For nearly sixty years, our family had lived with an empty place none of us knew was there.
Now someone was standing at the end of the driveway, looking directly into it.
PART 3 – What Rebecca Knew
Her name was Claire.
She did not walk toward the house immediately.
For nearly a minute, she remained beside the black car with one hand resting on its roof.
Dad stood at the kitchen window.
I stood beside him.
Neither of us knew what people were supposed to do in moments like that.
Perhaps there should be instructions.
When meeting the granddaughter you never knew existed, do not stare.
When discovering your niece at age thirty-one, offer coffee.
