The Father of Her Son. Kathleen Pickering

m’ love!”

      Kelly scrunched her face. “And a fine morning it is, Mum. What a surprise to hear from you so early.”

      “It’s almost noon here. I knew you’d be up being the businesswoman you are. Have you found yourself a husband yet?”

      She rolled her eyes at the familiar question. “Saints be praised, no. Neverland is all mine, and I don’t have to share it with anyone.”

      “You’ve always been a peculiar child.”

      “Mum, did you call me just to air your insults?”

      “I’m only well meaning. You know that.”

      What would Mum say if she knew about her six-year-old grandson? Keeping Matt’s existence unknown to her family had been easy since none of them ever ventured farther than the Kinsale county line. As far as Matt was concerned, Grampy Herby had been his grandfather, and his death had closed that door. He was too young to consider anything else. Although they were few and far between, Kelly was vigilant in never taking long-distance calls when Matt was within earshot. Of all of her careful planning and covering her tracks, this was the trickiest tightrope she walked.

      “So, what can I do for you today, Mum? How is Da?”

      “He’s just fine. I’m calling to tell you that Michael has moved to New York. He left yesterday. Have ye heard from him?”

      A lump caught in her throat. “Michael?”

      “Yes! They’ve assigned him as pastor of a lovely parish in Brooklyn. I know he’ll be busy, but he wants to see you as soon as possible. Being near his baby sister was part of his reason for going to the States.”

      The floor shifted beneath her feet. Oh, my God! She dropped onto the stool at the counter. With her brother living a train ride away, she would be busted in no time.

      “Kelly? Are you there?”

      “Yes. Of course. That is wonderful news. How can I find him?”

      “His new parish is called The Church of The Little Flower, after Saint Theresa. Isn’t that lovely?”

      “He will be wonderful for the congregation, I’m sure. 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.

      * * *

      MICHAEL HAD CALLED twice but she hadn’t answered the phone. She couldn’t until she had the chance to put her plan into action. She’d had to wait until Saturday. Now, she passed through the front doors of the Church of the Little Flower. As she worked her way down the center aisle, she was struck by the cool air wafting through the shadowed vestibule, the smell of incense, beeswax and summer flowers that were bunched in bouquets along the altar. With one phone call to the rectory, Kelly learned that the pastor and the only other priest in the rectory listened to Confession on Saturday afternoons.

      The only problem, Kelly thought as she watched the two confessionals with the little red lights glowing above the priests’ doors, was to discern which cubicle held her brother. If Kelly was going to pull off her plan, she at least needed the ear of the correct priest.

      An elderly woman exited from behind the curtain of the closest confessional. Kelly approached her.

      “Excuse me. I’d like to speak with Pastor Sullivan. Do you know where he is?”

      The woman indicated the confessional from which she came. “He’s in there, my dear.” She patted Kelly’s arm and headed for the kneeling bench before a small altar in an alcove.

      Kelly