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as I limped through the store, quickly gathering forty dollars-worth of essentials.
    Jerry pulled up to the door as soon as I came out, and I gratefully took my shoes off before getting in.
    “Hey thanks.  I couldn’t stand to smell myself after last night’s shift,” I told him.  “I’m hoping shampoo will take away the odor.”
    Jerry looked at me steadily.  “You smell pretty good to me.”
    I was startled at the intimacy of his gaze.  “Then you haven’t gotten that close.”
    “I’d like to.”
    I had suspected he was a little too interested in me, but this confirmed it.  The last thing I needed right now was a man in my life.  Of course, he had no idea I was pregnant and would probably head for the hills once he found out.  I didn’t care enough about him to let him in on the secret …or take him up on his offer.
    “The only thing I’m getting close to tonight is a hot bath and some antiseptic for my blisters.”
    We drove the rest of the way in silence.  As he turned into the apartment complex, I said, “Just drop me at the office.  I need to pick up my mail.”
    Jerry smiled as he stopped his car.  “We’re both off on Sunday.  Maybe we can hang.”
    “Maybe,” I answered noncommittally.  I knew it wouldn’t happen, but I didn’t want to make working together uncomfortable.  I opened the door and holding my grocery bags with one hand and my shoes in the other, I got out of the car.  “See you tomorrow.”
    “Yeah.  Have a great night, Killeen.”
    “ My feet thank you.  Later.”  I didn’t look back.  As I entered the office, I heard his car drive away.  I didn’t want to seem ungrateful because I truly appreciated the ride home.  I just couldn’t afford to have him misinterpret anything I said as encouragement.
    I pulled the mailbox key out of my purse and opened the box.  I sorted through the mail over the waste basket.  Brandon .  Toss. Brandon . Toss.  Brandon. Toss.  One by one I chucked them all into the trash.  The last item was an Overnight Express envelope.  My heart skittered in my chest.  It was addressed to me.  I glanced at the return address.  Harlan Gooding!   I ran to my apartment in record time, forgetting all about my sore feet and sat on the couch.  I had gotten the test taken on Saturday afternoon, the same day I’d found the waitress job at Harry’s Barbecue Barn.  I hadn’t imagined the results could come through so quickly.  Was that a good sign or a bad one?  Wouldn’t a negative reading be confirmed faster than a positive one that would have to be verified?  Beads of sweat popped out on my forehead, and I wiped it off with the back of my wrist.  I felt silly that I was so nervous.  It wasn’t like I had a real chance at this.  Surely, my mother would have told me if I had any distant relatives.
    Nervously, I ripped the tab across the top open.  I noticed the envelope had been signed for by the manager.  That would mean it was important, wouldn’t it?  One way or the other, I had to know.
    I pulled out a small packet with a letter on top.  My eyes quickly scanned it, eager to learn my fate.
    “Dear Ms. Ames,   I have received the results of your DNA test and am pleased to inform you that you are the individual named in the deceased’s will.  As I mentioned to you when we met, I have enclosed a cashier’s check for $5,000 to cover your out-of- pocket expenses and to offset your loss of income from your summer job.  Please plan on staying for at least two weeks in the Austin area when you come.  I have reserved a flight for you on Friday, June 13 th .  Contact Southwest Airlines for further details about Flight #930.  It departs at 10:50 a.m. and you arrive at 3:05 p.m.  There will be driver waiting for you with your name on a sign.  He’ll handle your baggage and transportation to a home near Lake Travis where everyone involved will be staying.  If you need anything in the interim, please don’t hesitate