Is it a large church?” Lord, she would begin babbling soon, but staunch Catholic that her mother was, anything to do with the church was exciting conversation. Kelly asked nonsense so she could get her wits about her.
“It’s a good size, he tells me. He showed me a photo before he left. The church is lovely. Beautiful windows.”
“I have to call him. Do you know his phone number?” She scribbled the number on a notepad. “I’ll contact him as soon as I can. This is quite a surprise.”
Mum chuckled. “I knew you’d be happy. I’ll be going now. Your Da will be wanting his lunch. Will you call me to tell me how your reunion goes?”
“Of course!” Her heart was about to pound out of her chest.
“That’s a good daughter.”
“Big hug and kiss to all. Bye, Mum.”
She hung up way too fast, but she couldn’t help it. What was she going to do? She sat, head in hands in the predawn light thinking her world was about to cave in around her head. How would she explain Matt to Michael, let alone Michael to Matt? Well, when the time came she’d be honest and matter-of-fact. If he was old enough to tackle a first day of school, he’d be old enough to wrap his brain around the idea that they had family in a foreign country. She’d figure out the details later.
She lifted her head. She’d dealt with worse. Offense made the best defense she’d always heard. As she finished packing Matt’s lunch, a plan started forming in her mind. Good Catholic girl that she was, she just might have to make a visit to church.
* * *
LUCKILY, MATT’S SCHOOL was within walking distance and the morning was sunny and warm. He looked like a little man in his light blue Henley and chino shorts. He gripped the straps of his new Urban Hero backpack with enough nervous energy to make Kelly glad to be accompanying the small troupe of kids and their mothers. Actually, nothing would have stopped her from this momentous occasion in her son’s life. If all of New York clamored for breakfast at Neverland, she’d send them away, or make them wait. Life would always go on, but these precious moments were meant to be cherished.
She walked with Donna while Matt and Jared chattered with their friends. When they arrived at the school with kids swarming everywhere, Matt froze in place. Kelly hugged him hard as the teachers began rounding up the kids.
“You’ll have a great day today, Matt. I’ll be right here waiting for you at two-thirty.”
Matt watched the other kids lining up as if deciding whether or not it was a good idea to join them. Kelly leaned over. “Remember when we checked out your classroom last week? I can’t wait to hear about all the fun things you do when I see you later.”
Jared tugged on his shirt. “C’mon, dude!”
Jared’s enthusiasm seemed to cinch Matt’s resolve. “Okay, Mom. See you later!”
Kelly stared at the doorway he disappeared through, amazed at the mixture of pride and abandonment she felt that her baby was stepping out into the world without her. He’d probably fare better than she would, worrying about him all day.
She and Donna headed back for Neverland.
“So, I’ve been dying to ask you. How did your date go Saturday night with Evan?”
The absurdity of the question made her laugh. “Matt’s birthday dinner was great fun. Did you know Evan has half of a basketball court in his game room?”
Donna chuckled. “Okay, avoid the question.”
“It was no date, Donna, but it was really nice of Evan to go to all that effort for Matt. He’s a good friend.”
Do you have anyone to confide in? Evan’s question flooded her mind. Was it only two nights ago that he had made the evening so very comfortable for both her and Matt? The thought of having him for a confidant reached deeper than she had imagined, but then again, he was a man used to adjusting the world to get what he wanted. She pushed the thought of Evan from her mind and was glad when they reached Neverland. “So, I’ll see you back at school around two-fifteen, Donna?”
“Okay! I’m headed downtown. Jeff and I are celebrating our anniversary this weekend. I have to find a gift.”
Anniversary. A husband. Time spent together. She wondered if she’d ever know what that was like. She tied on her apron and approached the nearest customers to take their orders.
* *