Free Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans Page B

shouldn’t have said that. Now I’ve sinned twice. I’ll be keeping Father Lapina busy at confessional this Sunday.”
    I thought of my own situation and how many times in thelast few weeks I’d thought the very same thing, that it should have been my father.
    Macy set down the picture. “You said my mother was sick?”
    â€œShe had cancer of the lung.”
    â€œCancer? You mean she didn’t die from drinking?”
    â€œYour mama? Heavens no! I don’t think she touched a drop in all her life. Where’d you get that fool idea?”
    â€œIrene Hummel told me.”
    â€œAnd who’s Irene Hummel?”
    â€œThe woman who adopted me.”
    Bonnie shook her head. “Now I know that’s a sin, talking about your mother that way. Your mother was an angel if ever there was one on this earth.”
    â€œWhat about my father?”
    Her expression hardened. “That man’s a different story.” She shuffled through the pictures. “There he is.” The photograph showed a thin man, leaning against a motorcycle, a cigarette dangling from his lip. “That man was the bane of her existence. He was her only hope of keeping the family together. But he let her down. He let all of you down.”
    â€œWhy’d she marry him?” I asked, seeing another similarity with my parents.
    â€œQuestion I couldn’t figure is why she didn’t leave him. But then, love isn’t reasonable.”
    Macy finally asked the question she’d been waiting to ask. “Do you know where Noel is?”
    â€œNo. Wish I did. One day they just came and took her. I never saw her again. But I’m sure someone at the state could tell you.”
    â€œMacy just shook her head. They’ve sealed all our records.”
    â€œWhy would they do that?”
    â€œThey say they wanted privacy.”
    â€œWho’s ‘they’?”
    â€œMy sister and her new family.”
    â€œThat doesn’t make any sense.”
    â€œI didn’t think so either. I guess my best bet is still to find my father. Do you know where he is?”
    Bonnie frowned. “He lost the house a year or two after you all left.”
    â€œDo you know where he moved to?”
    â€œNo. If he hasn’t died.” She noticed the look of distress on Macy’s face. “But I doubt it. I read the obituaries every day and I haven’t seen him there.”
    â€œHe’s not in the phone book,” Macy said. “If he’s as bad as you say, he might not even remember who took her.”
    â€œThings will work out,” Bonnie said. “Remember the Psalms: Be still and know that I am God. That means God is at the helm. It’s right there in the Good Book. Look how we found each other.” She looked into Macy’s face. “It’s so good to see you again.”
    â€œIt’s good to see you again,” Macy said.
    â€œNow, tell me about this boy.”
    â€œMark’s a friend of mine. He’s from Alabama.”
    â€œMy old neighborhood. You’re a long way from home.”
    â€œYes, ma’am, I am.”
    â€œWhere ’bout in Alabama?”
    â€œHuntsville.”
    â€œMy people are from Montgomery.” She smiled and patted Macy’s thigh. “I’d love to have you both for Sunday dinner.”
    â€œThat would be nice.” She turned to me. “Are you busy, Mark?”
    Her question was only a formality. “No, I’m free.”
    â€œI have church until one o’clock,” Bonnie said. “Would dinner at two be okay?”
    â€œTwo’s great,” Macy said.
    Bonnie and Macy exchanged phone numbers, and then we got up to leave. The dog, Fred, jumped up and ran around us, barking frantically.
    â€œHush up, Fred,” Bonnie said. “Hush.”
    We stopped at the door. “What can I bring for dinner?” Macy asked.
    â€œJust yourself. And this boyfriend of