"Mrs. Smith?" Blaine asked as he walked into the orphanage's director's office. "I'm Blaine Kitteridge."
"Yes, I remember," she greeted him warmly as she rose from her desk to meet him. "You came here before with Reese. Did you find the person that you were looking for?"
"Yes, we did."
"That's wonderful. How did it go?"
"It was . . .difficult for awhile there, but it worked out fine. She got her inheritance and met her half-sisters."
"I'm so glad it worked out. What brings you here today?"
"It's about Reese," Blaine began. When Annie's smile faded, he had a feeling she already knew exactly what he was going to ask. "She's really bothered about not knowing anything about her past or who her parents are."
"Yes, I know," she replied with a sad sigh.
"I mean, she's done a lot of research and still hasn't found any leads. I was hoping that you might have some information, anything that might give us a clue where to look."
"I know you mean well, but I can't tell you anything. I'm sorry."
"I understand if you can't tell me, but what about Reese? Doesn't she have a right to know?"
"Mr. Kitteridge, Reese has approached me about this before and I have my reasons for not telling her. She has done so well for herself. She graduated from high school early and went on to college and then law school. I feel that she's better off not knowing the details of her past. I hope you understand, I have always had her best interests at heart."
"So do I," Blaine insisted. "This is really important to her. If she just knew the truth she could put this search to rest."
Annie looked doubtful. "I'm sorry, Mr. Kitteridge, but I made up my mind. I can't help you with this."
"Thanks anyway," Blaine said with disappointment as he turned and left the office.
"Hi, Alma. I hope you don't mind my dropping by like this. May I come in?" Vanessa asked shyly from the doorway.
"Of course," Alma said and stepped aside to let Vanessa into the house.
Vanessa took a deep breath and got right to the point. "I was hoping I could talk to you about why I decided to sell the house and sign the Boardwalk over to Lawrence. I have reasons for making the choices that I did and I think if you and Amanda heard them maybe you wouldn't be so angry with me. But if you don't want to hear it or see me at all, I understand."
Alma sighed. "I'm not angry . . .I don't care about the house or the inheritance. It's just been kind of a shock. I'm sorry I threw you out. I don't want you to think that. . ." she trailed off.
Vanessa smiled. "I'm glad. I really do want to have some kind of relationship with you and Amanda. Even if we never get close enough to feel like family, I hope that we can at least be friends."
Alma nodded, but looked doubtful. "I don't think Amanda feels the same way."
"I know. I thought we were finally starting to get along. . . she really doesn't like me, does she?"
Alma shrugged.
"Alma . . .this may be too much to ask, but do you think you could talk Amanda into meeting with me? If she's not willing to talk with me, then maybe you can talk to her for me. Maybe it won't make any difference, but I think she deserves to know why I gave to Lawrence but not to both of you."
"I can't promise she'll listen, but I'll see what I can do."
"Hi Blaine," Reese greeted him as she let him into the house. "I'm almost ready. I'll just be a minute."
As Reese scurried back to the bedroom, Blaine took a seat in the living room.
"I would have been ready, but I got held over at work," she called out from the other room.
"Busy day?"
"Very. How was your day?"
"Alright. I had a talk with Annie Smith today?"
"What?" Reese walked back into the living room to make sure she had heard correctly. "Why?"
"I wanted to see if I could find out anything about your past."
Reese smiled. He was so sweet for trying, but she didn't get her hopes up. "She wouldn't tell you anything, am I right?"
"You're right."
"I've been trying to get her to tell me for years, but she's secretive about it." Reese sat down on the couch. "The more evasive she is on the subject, the more I want to know the whole story."
"I think she does know the truth. There's got to be a way to find out what it is, even if she's not going to tell us." After a moment of thoughtful silence, Blaine stood up. "We'll figure out something, but in the meantime we have a party to go to. Are you ready?"
"I'm ready."
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