Chapter Ten
Supper went real well except I set a place for Rockie and Harlan gave me a funny look, but didn’t say anything. Faith asked me if I was expecting someone else. I mumbled something about miscounting and being a fluffhead.
After we ate we sat around in the living room drinking tea. Faith and I drank tea. Harlan drank beer. Faith went down memory lane with Harlan. He seemed so young talking to her about what Germaine was like forty years ago and about people I’d never met like Isaac Van Bibber and some whom Harlan had never mentioned. 
“You remember Isaac, don’t you Harlan? Of course you do. The two of you were thick like thieves. That boy loved my Rochelle.”
“He did. That he did,” Harlan agreed. “Isaac was the best of us kids. He and Rochelle, they’d have made a real good family.”
“Indeed. Well, there is no use wishing for what can’t be. I know she did a selfish thing out there on Highway 20, but I’m done being mad at her. I just miss the girl. I miss the grandbaby she took with her.” Faith bowed her head. She took the kerchief out from where it was tucked into her sweater sleeve and wiped her watery eyes. And I thought about the weight of forty years of sorrow.
“How about some of the chocolate cake you brought, Faith,” I said and got up.
When I came back with the cake and plates, Faith and Harlan were off on another subject.
Faith took a bite of the cake and chewed it carefully, then she said, “Where were you born, my dear? Were you born in Portland?”
“No. I was born in Baker. My mom moved us up to Portland when I was just a baby. I’ve been thinking about going to Baker and looking up the doctor who delivered me.”
“Looking for your father?”
“I just want to know if there was anyone else besides my mom. You know, her parents, a boyfriend, a brother. If she was alone or if there is someone I can look for. I want to know something about where I came from. I know that sounds stupid, but I’ve felt like an orphan all my life.” It was a great deal more than I meant to share, but something about Faith inspired trust.
“I wouldn’t mind taking a trip like that with you. It’s nice to have company on a long trip and I haven’t been to Baker City in probably twenty or more years. Heavens, likely a lot longer than that.”
“I’d like that. I wouldn’t want to go until the bad weather’s over, but I’ll let you know, if you’re still here in town. Thanks, Faith.”
When Faith left that night, she gave Harlan a big hug and I know he was touched by it. I didn’t expect her to hug me too, but she did. Rockie made a soft sound almost like a purr.
Cynthea McCoy