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“Of course not It’s your heritage and you have a right to know about it”

“You’re my dad,” Gabriel observed quietly

“Always,” said Richard “And no ed your home to rescue me”

“A parent’s love isn’t conditional No matter what you did, you were always our son I simply prayed that one day you’d coan to bounce in agitation

Richard’s gray eyes grew very intense as he watched hiive birth to you, but you are our son You belonged with us”

“What did Grace say to randmother?”

Richard sat back in his chair

“I think she explained who she was and what happened to your mother I know she talked about you She hoped she could reason with your farirander with her daughter She disowned your nant, and I doubt they saw one another after that”

“What about ht “I knoe spoke to you about this because it came up in connection with your birth certificate Your father persuaded your mother not to list him, which is why it only nah your grandrandson, but she was eager enough to name your father She had his address and telephone nuestured toward the diary “Grace knew better than to call him at home She called him at the office He refused to speak with her”

“I can recall Grace saying that et me”

“She hoped your relatives would welcoht the best of everyone”

“She did But she was no fool After speaking with your grando You’ve been with us ever since” He looked at Gabriel sadly “Grace expected that she would be here when you found those pages I know she would have wanted to talk to you about theht for a iven him He still ed the subject, if only to free his

“As I a me to come home”

“This will always be your home” Gabriel shifted in his chair “She thinks that if God is like a father, he h compliment, but an unwarranted one I’m imperfect like everyone else”

“Would that I could have one quarter of your i his head

“Grace and I always thought of you as a gift But since she died, I’ve realized so evento look at his father

“I know that you feel so you—as if we did you a favor But you’re looking at things the wrong way”

Richard’s eyes ave you to us because he knee needed you”

The twoout at the orchard and losing themselves in silence And if anyone had commented on the fact that Gabriel’s eyes et, he would have said it was because of his allergies