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Chicago for many years. Recently I found out that my father had died, and I decided to make a trip back. I knew my baby had been adopted by a local couple, and when I knew I was coming back here, I just had to try to see her.”
    “We knew the mother was a local girl,” said Karen in a dull voice. Her mind traveled back to that long-ago day when Arnold Richardson had called them to his office and told them about their baby. She could still recall the rapid beating of her heart, the clamminess of her hands, intertwined with Greg’s, as they received the news. “The mother is a local girl,” Arnold Richardson had said, and in her own heart Karen had said, God bless you, whoever you are. Thank you for this wonderful gift. I hope you have a rich and happy life. Karen looked at the woman on her sofa and tried to rekindle that blissful rush of joy and gratitude. But all she could feel now was something cold in her chest.
    Linda continued to talk, trying nervously to fill the silence. “I was only seventeen when she was born. And all these years I’ve wondered about her. I’m sure you could understand that…”
    “I suppose so,” said Karen stiffly. “You could have at least phoned us.”
    “I was afraid,” Linda pleaded. “I was afraid you would turn me down.” She took out a tissue and wiped her eyes.
    Karen glanced up again at Greg, who had moved to the front window and was staring out. His jaw was clenched and his eyes were steely, but she could see that he was holding himself back from saying anything. He was trusting it to her.
    “It’s just such a shock, for Jenny. You can see how it has upset her.”
    “Well, I knew it would be a shock, but I thought she’d be happy, too. I mean, to finally find out about her…her natural mother.”
    Karen was almost ashamed of her own bitter feelings. Of course Jenny would want to meet her. How many times had she heard her wonder aloud who her real mother might be. But something inside of her could not give this interloper the satisfaction of admitting it. “This is not the sort of thing you just spring on a child. You have to prepare them for something like this. Besides, you made a legal agreement years ago. It’s irresponsible to think you can just turn around whenever it suits you…”
    Linda shook her head abjectly. “You’re right, you’re right. Everything you say is true. I’m just appealing to you, as a mother. Please forgive my impulsiveness. Please try to understand…”
    In her mind, even in some part of her heart, Karen did understand. To have a child and never know…It was unimaginable, a lifelong heartache. And she could sense the woman’s sincerity. But she did not want to be sympathetic. She felt threatened. This intruder was laying claim to her child. She felt a primitive instinct, like some kind of bear with a cub. No matter how she tried to understand, there was an irrational side that just wanted to protect what was hers.
    “Well, it doesn’t really matter whether I understand or not, does it,” Karen said, more bitterly than she had intended. “It’s done now, no matter what I think.”
    Karen had not noticed Jenny returning to the room until she heard a small voice say, in a reproving tone, “Mom.” Jenny carried the vase of flowers to the mantel and placed them there. Then she went and sat down on the couch, in the opposite corner from Linda, folding her coltish legs beneath her.
    “No,” said Linda, “your mom is right. Technically, I shouldn’t have done this.”
    Greg finally broke his silence. “The word you want is legally,” he said darkly to their visitor.
    “Yes,” said Linda. She did not look at him. “Yes, that’s right.”
    “Well, I’m glad you came,” said Jenny.
    Karen felt stung. Of course it was true. Jenny was only being honest. She wished it did not hurt her to hear it.
    “There are a lot of things I want to know,” said Jenny.
    “And I want to know about you,” said Linda eagerly, turning to