GLENDA'S MIRACLE

Excerpt Charles was in his office going over some specs when his secretary, Marge, entered his office and announced there was a woman asking to see him. He asked who it was but the woman wouldn’t give her name. Charles told Marge to go ahead and show her in. When the women entered his office, she walked over to Charles and extended her hand. “Hello,” she said, “my name is Glenda Evans.” “I’m Charles Crowe,” he said, taking her hand and thinking she looked vaguely familiar. She was tall, and slender, with auburn hair with a few streaks of gray peeking through, and light green eyes. What a coincidence, Charles thought. He motioned for Glenda to sit as did he. “What can I do for you?” he asked. “I’m not quite sure how to approach this,” she said, seeming to struggle with the right words. Finally she said, “You’re married to Sarah?” she asked. “Yes,” Charles said slowly, cautiously, not liking the feeling coming over him. “What about Sarah?” “Again, I’m not sure how to tell you this so I guess I’ll just come out with it. I’m Sarah’s mother.” There was dead silence. Charles was stunned. “I uh…” he stammered. “I don’t know what to say,” but now he could see why she looked so familiar. Sarah looked like her. He continued, “I have to admit, I am a bit stunned. We….uh,,,Sarah thought you were dead.” “I know this must be a shock for you – just showing up like this.” Glenda replied. “But I wasn’t sure that if I announced myself you would see me. I do apologize for the surprise of this visit.” “So, what brings you here now?” he asked and Glenda could detect the slight irritation in his voice. “I’m sure Sarah told you her grandparents raised her because I was a drug addict.” “Yes,” Charles acknowledged. He waited. Then he said, “No one ever heard from you after Sarah was born.” Glenda nodded in agreement. “I was in a very dark place then, and for a long time after. I know that’s not a good excuse but eleven years ago I went into rehab with the help of someone and I’ve since worked very hard to get--and keep--my life in order. I’ve always wanted to contact Sarah but knew I couldn’t until I was clean and stable.” “And do you think Sarah’s going to welcome you back into her life, excuse me, with open arms?” he said directly. Glenda had expected she would get this kind of reaction and was prepared for it. “No, I don’t have that expectation at all. I am not naïve or unrealistic about the situation.” she said. “But I would like the opportunity to talk to her.” Charles pondered this request. He wondered how Sarah was going to take the news. Sarah never talked about her mother other than she had left after Sarah’s birth. But something about her honesty and directness appealed to him.