Page 12 of Special Agent Murphy

“And that’s why I didn’t interfere, I kept my distance as she insisted. But not one day went by that I didn’t regret our… ahh, parting. And it’s not something I want to happen again. Now that we’ve met, thank God you reached out, I want to be in your life, have you in mine.”

Kayti sensed sadness in the woman, a desperation one wouldn’t expect. “Don’t you have any family?”

Edna Kale folded her hands in her lap, held them tightly, her power controlled. “As you know, our parents died when we were in our teens, Norma was older by two years so she would have been eighteen. Being a headstrong brat, instead of staying with her, I moved in with a boyfriend until we parted ways.”

Kayti suspected there was a lot more to the story and couldn’t stand the suspense. “Then how did you know where to send her money after I was born?”

“She worked in a café in those days. After I broke it off with Bob, I cleaned up my act, got a couple of jobs, and we lived together in the same apartment you’re still in now. Months later, when I started at the National Training Academy, we split ways. I worked hard, did well… probably because I loved the job.”

“Didn’t you ever get married, have a family??”

“Yes, years ago I did find the man of my dreams and married him. We only had one child. When the baby passed from leukemia at three years of age, we couldn’t seem to hang on to each other though we lived together. Years later, I lost Trevor, too. That’s when my job became my main focus. It’s why I regret the missed opportunity with Norma.”

Still not able to fully comprehend circumstances so intense as to keep sisters apart, Kayti delved deeper. “Couldn’t you have reached out then?”

“Norma didn’t take bad news well. At the time, that’s all I had – bad news, a broken family and a drinking problem I’ve since overcome.”

“But you were her sister. She would have been there for you.”

“She wasn’t… there for me. Only one person mattered to her – you.”

Kayti admitted the truth, “Mom couldn’t bear anyone’s suffering, it hurt her too much. I think that’s why she became a bit of a recluse over the years. Hearing other’s problems would affect her to the point where she couldn’t sleep or eat. I guess I tried to protect her even as a child. I very seldom brought friends around or shared much of the action going on in school. It upset her to the point where it literally took weeks to settle her down again. I’m sorry, Aunt. I’ll admit I feel a bit cheated, and I’m angry that she lied to me.”

Edna walked to the window behind her large desk, turning away. “I never wanted to come between you and Norma. It’s why I stayed away. But things are different now.” There was a pause. A long pause while Edna seemed deep in thought. Then she kind of gave herself a shake and said, “I’d very much like for us to be friends.” As if she couldn’t stand not seeing Kayti’s reaction, she turned her way and clung to the back of her chair.

“Not sure that’s possible with me being a rookie agent and you in your position. I wouldn’t accept favoritism.”

“You think I can’t be impartial? Honey, I’ve been on this job too long not to know the boundaries or overstep them. How about we have weekly meetings to catch up on each other’s lives? Say Sundays for private family times at a designated restaurant we take turns choosing?”

“And paying.”

Edna grinned. “Fine. I’d like that. Since I’m the oldest, I get first pick. My selection is 7pm at Cut, Wolfgang Puck’s place on 31st Street.”

Kayti, reeling from all she’d learned and full of questions, agreed with enthusiasm. Before she could leave the room, she approached her aunt shyly and held out her arms for a hug. Not knowing if she was overstepping but having been brought up by a very affectionate mom, it came naturally for her to show her happiness in such a way.

Her aunt’s face lit up, and she hugged Kayti for longer than expected, her hand stroking over Kayti’s long hair in a caress. When she finally stepped back, Kayti thought she saw tears in the woman’s eyes before she looked away.

Leaving the huge headquarters building, she wondered about the forlorn woman she’d left behind. Joy slowly began to seep into spots where sadness had permeated. Emptiness fled and a tiny seed of soft caring began to form.

A skip to her step and her head held high, she pranced along Pennsylvania Avenue and looked forward to her future because now there was someone in it who cared about her. Someone she could love.

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