Chapter 11 - The Woman Who Gave Me Basil
Elena had spent years searching for a mother she believed was lost forever.
Now she was realizing that Lucia might have stood right in front of her.
The animal rescue was called Second Chance Haven.
It occupied a small storefront between a laundromat and a neighborhood bakery.
Elena remembered the smell of cat food.
The faded yellow walls.
The little orange kitten who'd climbed into her lap and refused to leave.
And the woman who had smiled when Elena said she wanted to adopt him.
Her name had been Laura.
Laura Mills.
Elena felt her heart pounding as she approached the building with Detective Mitchell and Rebecca.
Aleandro waited several steps behind them.
He'd offered to accompany her.
She'd agreed, but made it clear that she wanted to be the one to speak.
The front door opened.
A young volunteer approached.
"Can I help you?"
Elena swallowed.
"I'm looking for Laura Mills."
The volunteer's expression softened.
"Oh, Laura."
"Is she here?"
The young woman shook her head.
"She doesn't work here anymore."
Elena's heart sank.
"Do you know where she went?"
"She moved last spring."
"Where?"
The volunteer hesitated.
Detective Mitchell introduced herself and explained the missing-person inquiry.
After confirming the appropriate information could be shared, the volunteer contacted the rescue director.
A woman named Susan Harper came out.
When she saw Elena, her eyes widened.
"You."
Elena froze.
"You remember me?"
Susan nodded.
"You're the girl who adopted Basil."
"Yes."
Susan covered her mouth.
"Oh, my goodness."
Elena felt dizzy.
"What?"
Susan looked toward Detective Mitchell.
"Laura talked about her for months."
Elena stopped breathing.
"About me?"
Susan nodded.
"She said you reminded her of someone she'd lost."
Tears filled Elena's eyes.
"Did she know I was her daughter?"
Susan shook her head.
"Not at first."
Elena's heart sank.
Then Susan continued.
"But later, she found an old newspaper clipping about Saint Jude's Home. She began wondering whether you were the child she'd been searching for."
Elena covered her mouth.
"Why didn't she contact me?"
Susan's face became sad.
"She was frightened."
"Of what?"
"She believed dangerous people were watching her."
Elena looked toward Aleandro.
He lowered his eyes.
Susan continued.
"Laura kept a journal. She wrote about a baby named Elena and a necklace shaped like a willow tree."
Elena began crying.
"Where is she now?"
Susan hesitated.
Then handed the detective a contact address.
"A small assisted-living community outside Albany. Laura moved there after her health declined."
Elena's knees weakened.
"She's sick?"
Susan nodded.
"She has ongoing neurological difficulties. Some days her memory is clear. Other days, she struggles."
Elena wiped her face.
"Can we go?"
Detective Mitchell answered gently.
"We can contact the facility and arrange a visit if Laura agrees."
Elena nodded immediately.
"Please."
Two days later, Elena traveled to Albany with Rebecca and Aleandro.
Isabella had wanted to come, but Elena asked her to wait.
She needed to meet Lucia first.
Not as part of a dramatic family reunion.
As a daughter.
The assisted-living center was modest.
Warm.
Filled with sunlight.
A nurse led them toward a small garden.
"Laura likes to sit outside when the weather is good."
Elena stopped at the doorway.
A woman sat beneath a willow tree.
Dark hair streaked with silver.
A blue cardigan.
A sketchbook in her lap.
She was drawing.
Elena's eyes filled.
The woman looked up.
For one long moment, neither moved.
Then Elena whispered, "Mom?"
The woman stared.
Her pencil slipped from her fingers.
She slowly stood.
"Elena?"
Elena began sobbing.
Lucia took one trembling step forward.
"My baby?"
Elena crossed the garden.
They fell into each other's arms.
Twenty-two years disappeared beneath the weight of a single embrace.
Lucia held Elena's face in her hands.
"I looked for you," she whispered.
"I know."
"I tried."
"I know, Mom."
Lucia began crying harder.
"You're so beautiful."
Elena laughed through tears.
"So are you."
For several minutes, they held each other.
Then Lucia noticed Aleandro standing near the doorway.
Her expression changed.
She stepped backward.
"No."
Elena turned.
"Mom?"
Lucia's face went pale.
She stared at her nephew.
Then whispered, "Antonio?"
Aleandro froze.
"No, Zia. I'm Aleandro."
Lucia began trembling.
"Antonio sent you."
Elena reached for her.
"Mom, it's okay."
But Lucia was staring past Aleandro.
Her eyes filled with terror.
"Carlo found me."
The nurse hurried forward.
Lucia gripped Elena's arm.
"Don't let them take you again."
Elena's heart broke.
Then her mother whispered something no one expected.
"The man who took you wasn't Carlo."
Elena froze.
"What?"
Lucia's voice shook.
"It was someone I trusted."
May you like
She looked directly into Elena's eyes.
"Your father."
