Page 180 of The Sun Sister
‘Because I’d like to take you uptown to Harlem and show you round the drop-in centre. It’s a Saturday and due to the lack of resources, we’ve had to close the doors over the weekends, but at least you can see the place itself.’
‘Wow,’ I said, struck by the coincidence.
‘What?’
‘Well...it’s something I just found out...’ I trailed off, not sure if I wanted to tell him or not.
‘Right.’
‘Like tonight. A few moments ago.’
‘And...?’
Remember, you have totrust, Electra...
‘I just discovered that I was found by my adoptive dad in a place called Hale House. It’s in Harlem.’
‘I know it. Everyone in Harlem does. Jeez, Electra, that’s a big one! Who told you?’
‘My sister Ally. My Pa left coordinates for us all to look up if we wanted to know where he found us.’
‘Okay. You know what Hale House was in those days?’
‘Yup, a place where a woman called Mother Hale took in babies whose moms were addicts or had AIDS,’ I recited from what I’d read earlier.
‘And how do you feel about that?’
‘I don’t know right now. And stop sounding like a therapist!’ I said, only half joking.
‘Sorry. I’m just worried about you. It’s a lot for you to deal with. Want me to swing by and we can talk?’
‘No, I’m fine, but thanks for the offer.’
‘You’re sure, Electra?’
‘I’m sure.’
‘Then why don’t I pick you up at around eleven a.m. tomorrow?’
‘Okay,’ I agreed. ‘Do you need my address?’
‘Your ever-efficient PA has already given me that, just in case I—’
‘Had to dash across town to save me when I was so wasted I couldn’t remember where I lived?’ I smiled.
‘Something like that, I guess, yeah. But you sound like you’re doing great, Electra. Really great. And as I said, I’m here if you need me, whatever time it is. I’ll keep my cell right by me.’
‘Thanks, Miles. I’ll see you tomorrow then.’
‘You sure will. Try and get some sleep. Bye now.’
‘Bye.’
The smile that had formed on my lips was still there as I switched off my cell. I got the feeling that Miles really cared about me, and that made me feel warm inside.
The question was, I thought, as I decided I didn’t need the ginger tea anymore, would I also go and visit the place where Pa had found me tomorrow?
I just didn’t know.
