Page 30 of When Love Is Lost and Found

I was already in college, and all I would hear during our weekly phone calls was how mad Mom was.

"She'd say, 'I don't even know if I can carry this baby for nine months.' She wanted to sue the doctors, the nurses, the hospital. It didn't matter; she was going to get her pound of flesh."

"And your dad?"

"Dad was happy. He tried to encourage Mom as much as possible. When her morning sickness started, he was by her side 'holding her hair and wiping her brow,' that's how he tells the story."

"He said he wouldn't sue for the failed procedure because he never wanted Noah to think he wasn't wanted."

"Were you there when he was born?"

"He was born during the summer, so I was home from school. Dad was so proud. I sat with both sets of grandparents in the waiting room for hours, eagerly awaiting his arrival. Dad walked in a little after eight and announced that Noah Alexander Linder was born at 7:48 p.m. and weighed eight pounds, eight ounces."

"Your grandparents? Sharon asks, "I never met any of them."

"Mom's parents live in Florida. They're in their mid-sixties and still going strong. They live in a senior living community in Boca Raton. Grandma Elenor plays tennis three times a week, and Grandpa Alex golfs every single day."

"What about your Dad's parents?"

"Grandpa David and Grandma Elsie live in Japan."

"Japan?!" Sharon exclaims.

"They moved there two years ago to be close to my uncle, Daniel, and his wife, Ami."

"Jimmy wanted to live in Japan," she says.

"I know. He told me."

I see a wave of sadness sweep over her beautiful face, but it's quickly gone.

"I'd love to visit someday," she says, her eyes gleaming. "I want to experience it all. It would be my way of honoring his memory."

I watch her eyes fill with tears, which she gently dabs with her napkin before asking me if I want more coffee.

"Hi, Jon!" Noah's voice from the top of the stairs startles both of us.

"Be careful coming down those stairs, Buddy."

Before I can say another word, Sharon crosses the room and runs up the stairs to meet Noah.

"You scared me, Sweetie."

"I'm being careful," says Noah. "I promise."

"Don't ever run down the stairs, ok? You promise?"

"I promise. I already said I promise."

"I know. You're right. Thank you for being careful. You're such a responsible boy."

When they both walk into the kitchen, I start laughing.

"Bud, you're wearing your shoes on the wrong feet. Come here, let me help you."

Noah looks down and starts laughing, too.

"Can we go swimming today?" he asks, looking at Sharon.

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