about thirty years ago

I answered the phone at home

a woman introduced herself

she asked me to confirm my name

I did so without hesitation

then she dropped a bombshell

I am your daughter

there was a long silence

I asked her if this was a joke

I am deadly serious she replied

my mother told me your name 

and the nightclub where you met her

I have been searching for you for months

I would like to meet you in person

get to know you as my father

I had no recollection of meeting her mother

but I had been to that nightclub in my younger days

I asked for more details 

my mother said it was a one night stand

she never saw you again

she made no attempt to find you

decided to bring me up by herself

keeping your name a secret

until her deathbed a few months ago

my mind was racing

could I possibly be her father

did I have a one night stand long ago

with her now departed mother

that I have since forgotten about

I broke out into a cold sweat

How could I ever explain this to my family

how will my wife react to this news

will this woman look like my kids all

will they bond with their half sister

when can we meet she asked excitedly

I was hesitant and tried to buy some more time

tell me more about yourself I asked

she said she lived alone

worked as a nurse in ICU and liked to go hiking

I asked her age

then with some quick mental arithmetic

I broke the news to her

I am sorry I could not possibly be your father

because I am only eleven years older than you

there was a long silence

she said sorry and hung up crying

I wonder if she ever found her real father