Question O

[Jonetta]

Helen and Rhys elope and keep Charity, renamed by Rhys as Carys Winterborne. How do they explain who she is, especially since she looks so much like Helen?

[Anita]

I have no idea how they are going to explain this to society.

[Sharon]

I don't think they will try and explain anything to society. By the end of the story, I have the impression that neither Rhys nor Helen care about being in society. They will make their own life with the people they love. Regardless of his title or the title of his wife, Rhys is the better man.

It is a funny thing about adopted children. My daughter adopted a couple of foster children who were in her care. I can't tell you how often people tell her the kids look like her or her husband in the eyes, face, etc. They aren't even the same race. People see what they want to see.

[Jonetta]

That is such an interesting story, Sharon. My cousin informed us last night on our weekly family Zoom call that she finally was assigned a 14-year old foster daughter and it’s a match made in heaven. They look alike! But, I’m sure we just made all that up because in our eyes, she’s already family💜

I think you’re probably right about Rhys and Helen. It wasn’t addressed by the end of the story and it was an open issue for me. But, your supposition is very logical and true to these characters.

[Karen ♐]

I think you’re right, Sharon. I don’t think Rhys and Helen will care. They’ll be happy and that’s all that matters.

[Anita]

If anyone questions the paternity of the child, they could say she is the daughter of Rhys childhood friends who died. If they question why she looks so much like Helen, a shrug of the shoulders would do nicely.

[Jonetta]

That would work!

[Karen ♐]

That’s great, Anita!

[Sharon]

That works for me.