the discovery of a gene mutation. It may, or may not, result in disease.â
Valerie squeezed her daughterâs hand. Lee swallowed. Both bobbed their heads even though they didnât fully comprehend what Abby was saying. Did Lee have a mutant gene?
After she was done speaking, Abby made a copy of Leeâs driverâs license. She gave her a form to sign and notarized her signature. In a soothing voice, she asked, âHow are you feeling?â
âNervous as hell,â Valerie said.
Abby smiled. âIâm wondering how Lee feels, too.â
Lee paused. How did she feel? Nervous? Yeah. Excited? Yeah. She felt so many different emotions she couldnât put her finger on one alone. Out of the blue, a thought popped into her mind. She said, âI feel like Iâm about to meet myself.â
At that moment, all doubt vanished like chimney smoke on a cold desert night. âLet âer rip,â she said.
Abby opened the skinny file. Over its top edge, Val and Lee again watched her eyeballs move left and right. âOh,â she spurted. âInteresting.â
âInteresting?â Lee and Valerie echoed the same word at the same time.
âAre you familiar with the Ashkenazi tribe?â
âIndians?â Lee asked. âI mean, Native Americans?â
âNo. The Ashkenazim are an ancient tribe of Jews.â
âIâm Jewish?â
âYes, actually. On the maternal side of your birth genetics is a direct line back to the Ashkenazim. Probably from Germany. Maybe Palestine.â
âNeat,â Lee said, grinning.
âThe only reason this is potentially important information isbecause recent genetic testing has revealed that there are some elevated medical risks particular to Ashkenazi women. Thatâs why your file was flagged.â
âRisks? Like what?â Valerie leaned forward.
Abby said, âAgain, genetic risks can be relatively small. Although, Ashkenazi women who inherit a certain gene mutation do have to be vigilant. The reason we inform adoptees is so they can make sure this information is a part of their medical record. Your doctor will help you decide if genetic testing is appropriate.â
âGenetic testing for what?â Lee gripped the armrests again.
âWell, breast and ovarian cancers are the biggest concerns,â she said, gently.
âCancer?â Valerie blanched.
âAnd some other diseases likeââ Abbyâs fingers returned to the computer keyboard. She read: âBloom syndrome, Canavan disease, Gaucher disease.â
âIâve never even heard of those. Is my daughter in danger?â
Abby replied, âWe advise all adoptees and their families to discuss this information with a licensed genetics physician. I can give you a list of referrals in your area.â
âThanks,â Val said, still pale. Lee felt numb. Sheâd come all this way to find out she might get cancer?
âWhile I get that for you,â Abby said in a bright voice, âthereâs something in your file you might want to see. I have no idea how we ended up with it. Maybe your birth mother attached it to her paperwork? At any rate, I see no harm in showing you if you want to see it.â
âSee what?â Lee blurted.
âA photograph of your maternal ancestor.â
Leeâs mouth flew open. âWhat?â Valerie scooted to the edge of her seat as Abby pulled an old black-and-white photo out of the manila folder. She handed it to Lee, who was surprised to feel her hands tremble. The photo was a small snapshot of two womenâone tall, like her, the other short. Both were regal in their wayâstaring straight into the camera lens. All around them was dirt and rubble. Leaning in to take a look, Valerie squealed, âHoney! Thatâs you!â
It was true. The tall woman on the right, slightly in the background, looked just like her. She had dark messily upswept hair, wavy