Maggie surrendered by way of taking another long sip of her water.
“Not that it’s any of my business, but have you had a checkup lately?”
Maggie considered the best way to answer. She hadn’t physically been in a doctor’s office since the last time Thomas or Savannah got sick—which, thanks to Chef Bart’s careful attention to nutrition, didn’t happen often. She was, however, more attuned than most to the intricacies of the human body. In fact, few things fascinated her more. She’d maintained a subscription to the New England Journal of Medicine since 1982; purchased an updated Physicians’ Desk Reference every year; kept a detailed journal of her weight, energy, mood and physical state; and read Sandra B. Goodman’s “Medical Mysteries” column in the Washington Post regularly. So, while she hadn’t been in a doctor’s office recently, it also wouldn’t be accurate to say she’d been ignoring her health.
“I pay careful attention, yes,” she told the woman.
You sure? Bess whispered.
Maggie ignored her and took another sip of water.
Because Maggie had, in fact, been paying attention. She’d been at her laptop several evenings this week researching the possible causes and concerns related to her mysteriously magical heart. Given that George’s overburdened ticker had given up on him entirely too soon, Maggie took cardiac issues seriously. Her research into her own symptoms, however, had given her cause for optimism. From what she’d gathered so far, it seemed that issues like hers tended to be electrical—highly treatable when necessary and not entirely malevolent.
For example, she found a white paper online about a woman named Sarah Adelbaum in Poplar Springs, Idaho, who had EKGs documenting her ability to match her heartbeat almost identically to “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Yankee Doodle.” Ms. Adelbaum’s quality of life was virtually unaffected and, even more, the only complaint she listed was that her heart didn’t have a wider catalog of music.
A second study assessed the health of a woman named Marietta Van Kleef of Dallas, Texas, who had to quit attending funerals because the somber music slowed her heart rate so much, she fell asleep. As long as Ms. Van Kleef avoided certain categories of music—lullabies, adagios and something called “New Age Soundscapes”—she was able to go about her days as normal.
Maggie took a final, long sip of water from the woman’s bottle. “I’m feeling much better, thank you. I just needed a moment to gather myself.” She put the water on the bench between them and stood. “In fact, your neighborly concern has reminded me of just how lucky I am. I have my family, my friends, my dog. An interesting life. And that’s all anyone needs, isn’t it?” And with that, she pushed every worry about Thomas and Savannah and their podcast as far out of her head as she could manage.
<
The Kids Are Gonna Ask
A Guava Media Podcast
Season01—Episode04
Tuesday, June 16
[voice-over]
THOMAS
Not everyone was embracing the search for our father with the same enthusiasm as Savannah and me.
SAVANNAH
Mom went with three friends on that pivotal trip to Colorado. You’ve already been introduced to Kristen and Elise.
THOMAS
But remember Brynn, the woman who didn’t want to be interviewed? We finally got the chance to speak.
[phone call]
BRYNN
I didn’t want to talk to you because I can’t support what you’re doing.
SAVANNAH
Finding our father?
BRYNN
That’s your private business. Which is how it ought to stay. This isn’t a conversation that should be had in public.
THOMAS
What do you mean?
BRYNN
I mean, your mother’s choices are her private business. I have young children at home. How can I teach them right from wrong if I turn around and talk about this sort of thing? Not to mention that you stand a very good chance of disturbing an innocent man’s life.
SAVANNAH
Innocent? We’re not trying to shame him.
THOMAS
We’re just trying to find him.
BRYNN
And I’m saying, I want nothing to do with it.
[voice-over]
SAVANNAH
We didn’t call her again. Kristen and Elise would have to be enough.
<
<
The Travis Stephens Show
Where America goes for answers
A TalkNation Syndication
June 17
TRAVIS
Folks, if you’re just joining us, we’re talking to Brynn this
afternoon—and just so you know, we’re choosing not to tell you Brynn’s last name to protect her privacy.
Our good friend Brynn, here, has a story I think is important for every one of you out there to hear. See, our wonderful guest, through no fault of her own, just happened to get featured on a podcast. Two kids who lost their mother in a car accident, looking for their father. A man they never had the pleasure of knowing.
Sounds tragic, doesn’t it? Truly, truly tragic.
[pause]
Except, what happens when those kids start looking for their dad, in public, on a podcast available to anyone in the world?
You see, that’s where our friend Brynn comes in.
Now, Brynn, you say their mother was a friend of yours? How well did you know her?
BRYNN
It was college. We were young. Everyone is trying to find their way during those years, and I think some people make different choices than others.
TRAVIS
I take it you’re referring to the fact that she got pregnant while she was in college, correct?
BRYNN
Yes. And that there are some things Bess and I didn’t see eye to eye on.
TRAVIS
Well, to be totally transparent, I should say before we go any further that I know I, myself, made a few different choices back in the day. Am I right, listeners?
[laugh track]
But in all seriousness, if you knew their mother—may God rest her soul—what made you hesitate? Two young kids, calling you up, just trying to find out a little bit of their history—
BRYNN
Well, that’s just it, isn’t it? They’re kids. Asking very personal questions about a very private matter. How am I supposed to know what they’re really up to? Or that the man they’re looking for doesn’t have young children of his own at home now?
Travis, you have to understand that I am a mother. I hold that job dearer than anything else in my life. So there was no way I was about to risk ruining a man’s life. A family’s life. I just couldn’t. And especially not for the sake of a podcast.
Not to mention, I don’t want to be forced into a conversation with my children about premarital sex thanks to a podcast, either.
TRAVIS
Well, I have to say, Brynn, you could be absolutely right. The whole situation is just the tiniest bit fishy. I mean, let’s lay out the facts here. Two kids, no mom, calling up strangers and asking for names.
Am I right?
Let’s imagine I pick up the phone tomorrow and some kid’s on the line saying he thinks I’m his father. What’s he really asking for? Money? Attention? You’ve got to wonder.
[pause]
Hey, TravisTalkers, we need you all in on this discussion. Give us a call. Get busy on Twitter. You’ve got the info, you know it all by heart. Let’s get some debate going, can we?
Caller, you’re on the line.
<
Twelve
Maggie
The Brynn interview changed everything. Download numbers for the podcast more
than doubled. Subscriber numbers went up even more than that. And Brynn started hitting the talk show circuit—because even though she didn’t want to talk to Thomas and Savannah, she didn’t have any problem talking about them on live radio.
And the talk shows’ hosts, it turned out, had incredible listener armies. Brynn’s complaints about invasions of privacy brought The Kids Are Gonna Ask nothing but publicity.
Sam Tamblin began emailing Maggie with interview requests within the week.
“Brynn is setting the world on fire, Maggs. I’m telling you.”
Maggie wondered if she’d ever get used to him speaking with the cadence of a Sondheim song. “And what does that mean, specifically, Sam?”
“It means, we have an audience. It means, people care—they’re taking sides. #McClairWonderTwins versus #PaternalLivesMatter. #SpermDaddy is trending on Twitter, by the way. Have you seen it? Mad crazy traffic.”
Facebook was as far as Maggie ventured in the electronic world—Twitter sounded like the social equivalent of a New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas, unbridled and unmannered. “Brynn’s interview was productive because it was provocative? Is that what you’re saying?”
“Precisely.” Sam laughed. “Did you hear that? Alliteration.”
Oh dear. Sam was on the verge of distraction. “You’re not at all concerned about Brynn’s allegations?”
“We’ve got a signed release form. That’s all I need.”
Her grandchildren, as it happened, were being accused of not telling Brynn their phone conversation was being recorded. Although, as also happened with so many other issues of outrage and debate, the situation was murky with gray. According to Thomas and Savannah—and the recording—they said, “We’re calling you from the recording studio. Are you okay with that?” Assuming, of course, Brynn understood the implication.
Brynn, however, claimed she did not. Though, only after she’d signed Sam Tamblin’s aforementioned release waiver. “I thought it was simply for use of my name on the podcast, not for using my interview.”
Thus, the explosion of attention. Depending on one’s view of the world, Thomas and Savannah were either innocent kids just trying to discover a history that was rightfully theirs. Or they were conniving, overprivileged products of a whole generation of children who never heard the word no and who were willing to compromise other peoples’ privacy in exchange for fame.
Maggie had been out of the house when Thomas and Savannah called Brynn. She had walked Katherine Mansfield down to the dog beach for a swim and then stopped to share a cup of vanilla bean ice cream on the Sebastian Joe’s patio. It was summer, after all, and the patio wouldn’t be open indefinitely. Curious how life worked, she thought. If she and Katherine Mansfield hadn’t stopped for ice cream, would events have unfolded differently? Perhaps she could have prevented the misunderstanding, ensured Thomas and Savannah handled the finer details of consent more effectively. Then again, with the recording happening downstairs in the studio, how would she have even known?
Maggie promised Sam Tamblin she would discuss the interview offers with Savannah and Thomas as soon as she could.
“Theoretically speaking, there are lots of great options,” Savannah said when Maggie broached the subject. It was nearly dark, and Maggie had finally coaxed the kids out of their studio hole for a bite to eat. She hadn’t seen more than flashes of them since school ended last week. “But if I were producing,” Savannah continued, “I’d have us start with public radio interviews. This podcast is told as a story, and that’s an NPR specialty.”
Thomas nodded and chewed a mouthful of Chef Bart’s chilled farro salad—a menu Maggie had ordered because it was rich in fiber, zinc and iron for the young cave dwellers. “It’ll be great to take advantage of the recent attention. You never know who could be listening. A podcast is one thing, but radio? That’s a whole new level of reach.”
Maggie’s grandchildren were beginning to sound like Guava Media executives themselves. She agreed that a sizable audience increased the chances of finding the man they sought, but she felt uneasy that the recent surge had come as a result of a woman shaming Thomas and Savannah for their methods. There was something eerily disquieting about the power of public humiliation.
“And you’re certain you’re comfortable with the level of attention that may come as a result?” she asked. “Like you said, a podcast is one thing. Radio is quite another.”
Thomas and Savannah exchanged what was becoming a familiar knowing glance.
“I know where you’re going with this,” Savannah said. “And I was skeptical, too. I mean, why should we have to go on the radio to justify ourselves? The podcast speaks for itself—and we speak for ourselves on the podcast. But then Thomas reminded me that if we’re really going to do this right, if we’re really going to find him, then the wider the audience, the better. You know what I’m saying?”
Maggie did. But that hadn’t been her question. She started to say something, but Savannah went on. “Plus, we made a deal. Thomas is going to do most of the talking.”
“Sort of my fault we’re in this situation, after all,” Thomas added. “I’m the one who wanted to start this search in the first place.”
“Of course, but—” Maggie spoke quickly, trying to squeeze herself back into the debate. “Don’t forget that you both stand to benefit if you do find your father. No matter who does the majority of the interview, you’ll both be affected by the results. Good and bad.”
Maggie raised her water glass to her lips to buy herself time to consider. If she’d looked into the future when the kids were little, she would have predicted with full confidence that Savannah would be the one now grabbing the microphone. They were both smart, but Savannah was quick with her words. Until middle school. Puberty is hard enough on any child, but send an outspoken, smart girl into the war zone that is the female middle school experience, and even the most confident kid can come home believing herself to be the ugliest, stupidest creature to have ever been born. Then kill her mom in a gruesome, front-page-news accident and see what happens. The child can’t speak for herself, that’s what.
One evening a year or so after Bess died, Maggie had gone downstairs to overhear Trigg on the phone in their kitchen. Savannah had been there next to her, scribbling words on a scrap of paper.
“We know you’re spreading gossip about Savannah,” she’d heard Trigg say. “Everyone says so. And we just called to tell you you’re a—” There was a whispered exchange and Trigg said, “An insecure gory hound.”
Whispering.
“Glory hound,” Trigg clarified.
So, that was it, Maggie’d thought. Bess’s daughter still had her words, but the confidence to put her own voice behind them had vanished.
She closed her eyes. Help me, she pleaded to Bess. I can’t do this alone.
Nothing but silence.
“Savannah,” Maggie said, snapping free of her thoughts. “The interviewer is certain to ask you some questions, too. You may not have the choice to give Thomas the lead.”
Savannah scowled with the ferocity available only to teenage girls. “Duh, Maggie. They’re going to expect Thomas to take the lead. Because he’s a dude.”
“That doesn’t seem to me as duh territory, at all. In fact, I’d expect quite the opposite. Think of the lead you’ve taken with your guests on the podcast.”
“There’s a difference between asking the questions and having to answer them. Plus, it’s not like I’m going to sit there and not say anything.”
Where did they go from here? From all indications, Savannah and Thomas had thought it through together, and decisions like these were ultimately theirs to make. “Well, then,” she said, “I guess I have no choice but to trust you to trust your instincts.” Which, Maggie had to admit, was what she always said when she had worries, but no answers.
Savannah and Thomas beamed, while Bess ts
k-tsked in Maggie’s ear.
* * *
Thomas and Savannah recorded an interview with Mid-Morning radio the following week.
“You two have become a bit of an overnight phenomenon.” The segment host, Blaise Elliot, had a voice as soothing as warm milk. Very public radio. “Why do you think the podcast has become so popular?”
Thomas answered, as planned. “I think there are lots of Thomases and Savannahs out there—people just like us who want to find out the rest of their story. Our lives feel like an unsolved mystery.”
Maggie was at the kitchen table with Chef Bart listening live on the radio. The kids were right below their feet, calling into the interview from their basement studio, but they sounded so grown-up, so confident and calm, they may as well have been a thousand miles away.
“They’re doing great!” Chef Bart whispered.
Maggie held a finger to her lips.
“You’re not the first podcast—or show, for that matter—in which people are looking for their biological parents, though. Why do you think yours is the story that’s broken through?”
Thomas again. “I think it’s because of how we’re telling it. When we first started working with Guava Media, we discussed the fact that true crime stories are, historically, the most popular genre on television. And that has translated to the podcasting world. True crime podcasts have proven to be really popular.”
“Yours isn’t a crime, however.”
“No,” said Thomas. “But it is a mystery. And because we don’t know how the story ends—even as we’re telling it—it engages our audience in an entirely unique way. They get to participate in solving our mystery.”
“Has the sudden attention affected the podcast? Or either of you?”
“Well, that’s just it. That’s the point,” Thomas said. “The more attention this search receives, the higher the chances someone can lead us in the right direction.” Then he added, “To be clear, it’s not about the attention so much as increasing the odds we’ll get somewhere.”
Yes, yes, Blaise could understand that. She asked, “Why now?” Then she asked why the kids thought Bess never involved their father.
The Kids Are Gonna Ask Page 9