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I climb down the ladder, not an easy feat with heels.
    Pushing into the restaurant, I slip off to the left, into the world’s tiniest potty. But thank God it’s here—relief—and one more opportunity to make sure nothing’s about to leap out of my nose and no lipstick on the teeth; hate that. I reenter and look around.
    The walls are amber-colored pine and they’re covered with cool stuff. Mirrors, plates and platters, old movie-star photos, newspaper stories, you name it, the walls are packed. Judith, the owner, breezes by and sends me a “Hello, Eve” on her way to answer the phone.
    She hangs up, then turns to me. “You’re looking great, two for lunch?”
    â€œI…” Stammering I say, “Yes, and could I have that corner, the one with the little church pews?”
    â€œIt’s all set for you.” Judith gives me a knowing look and I follow her around and up several steps into a favorite nook. “Lilly and Sam stopped in on their way over to your place this morning and—”
    â€œThere aren’t any photographers or…” I slide onto one of the pews, shaking my head.
    â€œOf course not, wish I’d thought to call the Island Gazette —I’m kidding.” She sees my “raised to heaven” eyebrows. “It’s lucky for you I’m busy; otherwise I’d be hard to get rid of. I’ll send Helen over the minute she comes in…I’m so excited for you!” She gives my shoulder a squeeze and flits away. Here—there are no secrets.
    Judith has run this place for years—that’s her classy vintage Cadillac parked out front—and I wonder who’s doing her hair? It always looks great. If I have to sit here for long, I’m going to die. Or order a glass of wine—a bottle with a straw?
    â€œExcuse me, Eve—Moss?”
    A tall, slender woman, dressed in a tailored gray outfit, is extending her lovely hand. Her straight blond hair is streaked with strawberry and gold. That’s my nose! I slowly stand and she steps forward and—we hug and cry and laugh, too. The small crowd behind us claps and cheers and then—thank you, Judith—they’re led away.
    â€œYou’re just beautiful ,” I gush. “Nice color job, but you have got to eat more. Sit down, I’m about to faint.” My eyes will not stop tearing.
    She sits opposite of me and I notice the freckles marching across her nose. My nose. Her eyes are mine, too—green. But that’s all the resemblance I can see, so far. I’ll be checking further, though.
    â€œThis is so incredibly—emotional,” Helen says. “I’ve not often considered this actually happening , you know? I mean, I knew since I was young that I was adopted. ‘Chosen’ is the word my father preferred. He made us promise never to look, but—”
    â€œAh, well…that’s understandable—really.” I suppose it is.
    Judith swings by and takes our drink order. We both are getting wine—thank the Lord. Or Allah or Buddha or…
    â€œMy father passed away recently, and so, some of my siblings are considering looking.” Helen gives me a guilty look. “I’m sorry I took so long to respond, but—”
    â€œDon’t give it another thought. I’m just glad that you finally did—decide, I mean. Personally, for selfish reasons, I felt it was time for me to try and find you, and if you weren’t wanting to meet me, I—probably would have gone mad.” Could that have come out worse?
    â€œBut I did want to. I can’t imagine not wanting to meet your birth parents—yet I think it’s a very personal choice. One of my brothers has no interest at all. But I’ve got an older sister who tried to find her birth parents and they let her know that would never happen.”
    â€œI can appreciate that,” I offer. “Many of my