Page 49 of When People Leave
Abby
A fter the agent and the photographer had left, Abby surveyed the house trying to see it from a buyer’s perspective.
There was nothing personal left. No family pictures on the mantel and none of the funny magnets on the refrigerator from the road trip they all took to Yosemite.
Even the Hanukkah dish towel Carla kept out year-round because the girls had saved up to buy it for her was in a box in the garage.
Their childhood had disappeared, and now the house seemed sterile and plain. Charlie came into the living room.
“It looks like no one has ever lived here,” Abby pouted.
“You get more money for a house that looks like Mr. Clean owned it,” Charlie said. “It will be perfect for some new family to start their own traditions in.”
“I’m going to miss all the holidays we celebrated here.”
“Me, too,”
Morgan came in from the garage. “I took the last box out. Hopefully, no one goes into the garage, or they’ll disappear amongst the boxes, and never be seen again.”
“Hey, Abby, why don’t you go out there?” Charlie said.
“You just ruined our special moment,” Abby said.
“It’s still a special moment. It’s just a special moment for me now,” Charlie said and Abby laughs.
“Hey, if you two are finished, we could call Brian now,” Morgan said.
The sisters sat side by side on the couch. Abby put her phone in the middle of the coffee table, dialed Brian’s number, and hit the speaker.
“Hi,” Brian said. “Can you give me a second?”
“If this is a bad time, we could call you back,” Charlie said.
“No,” he sounded panicked. They heard shuffling, and then his voice was back. “It’s fine; I’m here,” he said. “I’m so glad you called.”
“We have a few more things we wanted to ask you,” Abby said.
“Of course, but before you do, there’s something that has been weighing on me.
” He paused for a moment, then continued.
“Once I found your mother, I was desperate to meet my daughters. I shouldn’t have threatened her, but I never thought she’d do something so drastic,” he said, his voice breaking. “I’m so sorry.”
“None of this is your fault,” Morgan said.
“I still feel like I’m somehow responsible. I’m devastated that I made her think she had no choice.”
“You didn’t make our mother do anything. She had to have known we’d be devastated losing her, yet she still left us,” Charlie said pursing her lips together.
“We found her suicide note,” Morgan said.
“You did?”
“She admitted you didn’t know she was pregnant with me when she left,” Abby said. “I’m your daughter.”
“That makes me so happy, Abby,” Brian said. “I can’t believe I was looking for two daughters and found three.”
“Mom hid a lot from all of us,” Morgan said.
“I’m a parent,” Abby said, “I know it would destroy me if I couldn’t see my kids.”
“I have grandchildren?” Brian asked.
“You have four,” Abby said.
“Oh wow,” Brian said, “I’ve always wanted grandchildren.”
“Be careful what you wish for,” Charlie said, and Abby lightly elbowed her.
“I’ve been thinking about something since we last talked, and I want to run it by you all,” he said. “Please feel free to say no if it’s too much. How would you guys feel if I flew out there to see you?”
Abby looked at Morgan and Charlie, but before any of them could say anything, Brian blurted out. “No problem. If you’re not comfortable, it’s okay. I don’t want to intrude.”
“We would be thrilled to have you come here,” Abby said.
“Really?” he said, and Abby could hear the smile in his voice. “That’s great. I’ll get a plane reservation and let you know when I’ll be there.” Brian exhaled as if he’d been underwater and had come up for air.
They all said goodbye, and Abby hit the button to hang up.
“I guess we’re no longer orphans,” Charlie said. “Unless he comes and realizes he doesn’t like us.”
“That’s impossible, we’re all likable,” Morgan said. “Except maybe Abby—he’s never met her.”
Abby couldn’t help but laugh. “We have a dad!” Abby said.