by Sharon Dunn
Joan held trembling fingers to her mouth. “You are so beautiful. Lily is just the perfect name for you.”
Lily’s mother Karen stepped toward her daughter. “I always longed for you to have an extended family and to know where you came from.”
Taylor rose to her feet. “Hey, Lily, this is so cool. You have a grandma.”
Slowly, hesitantly, Lily stepped toward Joan. Joan held out her arms, and Lily stepped into her embrace.
“I know this is all kind of sudden for you,” said Joan. “But not a day has gone by that I didn’t think about you and pray for you.”
Lily stepped free of the hug. “Really?”
“I was thinking of you before you were born.” Joan pulled one of the stock certificates out of her purse. “Your mom and I were going to call you Therese Marie, but I like Lily.”
Lily stared at the stock certificate. “What’s this?”
“It was meant as a gift for you. There is enough money for you to travel and go to college.”
Lily stared down at the certificate. “Wow. But money’s never been a problem for my mom and dad. And now I’ve got two grandmas. There’s this lady named Stella …and now you. And I’ve got a friend who’s more like a sister.” She threw her arm around Taylor’s shoulders. “And all her crazy siblings. I guess I’ve got all I ever wanted.”
The girls giggled.
“Can I give some of this away?” Lily grinned.
“Oh, honey, it’s yours. You can do whatever you want with it,” Joan said.
“I would like Taylor to have some.” She showed the certificate to her friend.
Taylor’s mouth fell open. “Are you kidding?”
“You should be able to go to college.”
“Wow, Lily,” whispered Taylor. Her eyes teared up as she hugged her friend.
“Joan, can you come for dinner tonight?” Karen asked.
“I’d like that. It would give me a chance to get to know my granddaughter.”
As Lily, Karen, and Joan left the store and crossed the street, Taylor and Annie watched from the window.
Annie sighed.
Taylor leaned against Annie’s shoulder. “What are you thinking about right now?”
“I’m thinking that my grandmother was right. God does have a way of working things out.” She smiled and hugged Taylor. Yes, tonight she would have a good night’s sleep.