Chapter 62
Temperance asks you to trust in Divine Timing. What should be, will be.
CAL
Too soon it was time to go home and live in the real world. We drove home late Sunday evening. It would be our first night together in our home as husband and wife. We looked forward to celebrating all the “firsts” in the next year to come. We were in our 60s and we were silly newlyweds.
As we turned onto my street, we heard the chirp of a siren and saw flashing blue lights in my front driveway.
A sense of panic and dread washed over me. “Danny, what’s going on? Am I going to be arrested?” I can’t do this again. “Turn the car around. Don’t stop.”
Danny pulled into the driveway. “Stay in the car. Let me see what’s going on. I know the officer in the car.”
A patrolman exited the car and walked around to the passenger door. A little boy about 5 or 6 got out, carrying a teddy bear and a backpack.
“Hey, George, what’s up? This your son?”
The officer shakes his head. “Detective Chan, we got a call from Delta Airlines this morning about this little fella. He got off a plane from Mexico City and there was no one in the airport to meet him. He was carrying this envelope. It is addressed to Dr. Caroline Cassidy at Peachtree College. Captain Kim read the letter and told me to bring the boy here.”
I had partially rolled down my window and heard what the officer said. Danny motioned for me to get out of the car.
The child is adorably cute, and visibly anxious and scared. I kneel next to him, “Hey little guy. What’s your name?”
The boy stared at me. “Azul.”
“Azul! That’s a great name! I love it. How old are you, Azul?”
“Five.”
“Wow, you’re tall for your age. Are you hungry? Let’s go into my house and see if we can find you a snack.”
I unlock the door and Carl rushes me. Marci had fed and watered him while we were gone but he missed his human. Azul giggles and gives Carl a hug. The dog and the boy are about the same size.
I take him to the kitchen and sit him at the table. Carl sits at his feet.
I pour him a glass of apple juice and give him some crackers and peanut butter.
After eating a few crackers he says, “Are you my grandmother?”
I laugh, “Well…”
“Don’t answer that, Cal.” Danny’s face is a mixture of disbelief and anger. He hands me a letter.
Dear Caroline,
This is Azul, your grandson. I need you to take care of him for a little while until I get some things straightened out.
He’s a good kid. He loves papaya and pineapple. He likes to look at the stars at night and name the constellations. I’ll come get him soon.
His birth certificate is in his backpack. Please keep him safe. He is all I have. Eve.
Slowly I fold the letter. I am sobbing and shaking. Danny asks, “Who’s Eve?”
“Eve is my daughter.”
“Your what?”
I pull a chair beside Azul.
“Azul, is your mommy’s name Eve?”
“Her name is Eva. Are you my Grandmother?”
“Honey,” I take this little guy in my arms and hug him. “Yes, I am.”
A dam breaks inside his little body and he wails. I held him tight, stroking and kissing his hair. No words came out of his mouth as he keens like a banshee for about 10 minutes.
At last, he calms and takes deep gulps of air. He looks at Danny. In between gulps he says, “Are. You. My. Grandpa?
Danny looks at me. I keep my face and eyes neutral. It is up to him. I don’t want to influence him one way or the other.
Danny bends down beside my chair envelopes both of us in his arms.
“I sure am, buddy. I’m your Grandpa Dan.”