LITMIR.BIZ

      Chance drove up the drive to the large Tudor-style home built among the trees in an affluent neighborhood. This was his childhood home. There were few happy memories here for him.

      He stood outside the front door for a minute before he knocked. As if she was standing behind it, waiting for him, the door opened and Abigail reached out and took him in her arms. “It’s about time, Chance-man.”

      That had been her nickname for him growing up. He forgotten about it.

      “It’s about time.” Now she was using that big-sister reprimand voice.

      “I know. I should have come before.”

      She pulled him into the house and closed the door. Her husband and children waited in the hall. The excitement in her voice couldn’t be denied. “Stan, Chance is here. Wendy and Jonathan.”

      Chance was caught up in a whirlwind of hugs and hellos. What had he missed all these years?

      Dinner was served in the same room where dinner had been served when his father had come home but this time it wasn’t a meeting of a family that was unsure of each other but of one glad to see each other. Chance hadn’t enjoyed a meal more since Ellen had left.

      To his great surprise, his sister knew about his work and the family had numerous questions about the Travelling Clinic and Honduras. The discussion was open and frank, with none of the tension he’d expected.

      As the kitchen help began clearing the table, Abigail suggested they have coffee in the other room. The living room was the same place but the furniture had been replaced with a more modern version. What really held Chance’s attention were the pictures. They were of the smiling and happy group of people who now lived in the house. There were even a couple of pictures of him and Abigail as children. Here he had been part of a family and hadn’t even known it. Abigail had not abandoned him.

      Her husband and children joined them for a while but slowly drifted away as if they were giving him and Abigail a chance to talk.

      “Chance, I’m so glad you are here. I have missed you.”

      “I’ve missed you too.” To his amazement he meant it.

      “I’m sorry we’ve been so distant for so long. I wished it had been different.”

      He did too, but couldn’t admit it out loud.

      “I should have done better as the older sister in keeping in touch. I shouldn’t have given up. You are my family.”

      She had cared. Abigail had carried a burden as well. “There wasn’t anything you could have done. That was on me.”

      “When you came home from school at Christmas you were so different. I couldn’t seem to reach you any more. After Daddy died you just never came around again. It was like you blamed me as well as Dad for sending you away.”

      He had. His mother had been gone. His father hadn’t wanted him and his sister had said she couldn’t take him. There had been nothing secure in his life and he’d wanted nothing to do with her betrayal.

      “I wish I could have made it different for you. Fixed it so you could stay with me, but Daddy would have none of it. He said I was too young to see about you and that you were going to learn to behave. That sending you off to school was the way to do it. I fought for you but he wouldn’t let you stay.”

      All this time Chance had believed she hadn’t wanted him around. Had blamed her.

      “Those weren’t happy years for me either and I know they weren’t for you. I hated that we were separated. I hated more that you wanted nothing to do with me. After a while I didn’t know how to bridge the gap. Then you wouldn’t let me and I stopped trying.”

      “Part of that is my fault.”

      “Then let’s just start here and go forward. Promise me we’ll see each other often. After all, we are family.”

      Family. That sounded good. “You have my word.”

      “We’ll see you at Christmas.” It wasn’t a question but a statement.

      “I’ll be here.”

      “Chance, you may not want to talk about this but I just want to let you know that I saved your half of the inheritance for you. It’s been in the bank, waiting on you.”

      He would never have thought he would be interested in the money but he knew where he could put it to good use. “Thank you.”

      “You’re welcome. I would’ve never felt right about keeping it.”

      After his evening with Abigail and her family Chance saw his past and his sister in a different light. Had he been unjust in his view of Ellen too?

      Could he humble himself and beg enough to convince her he loved her and would never let her go again? He could if that was what it took to rid himself of the unceasing ache for her.