AT 60, I FOUND OUT I HAD A DAUGHTER THROUGH A DNA TEST

After a long convalescence, I finally took stock of my life. I was now just 60, too young to retire but also not strong enough to practice law like I used to.

What could I do? Teach? I contacted the prestigious law school Tom and I had attended and cadged an offer to lecture a few hours a week. That was something! I’d be active, useful, and surrounded by bright young minds!

Teaching helped, but at the end of the day, I was alone, sitting up in bed watching late-night TV—bad late-night TV! Later I would attribute what happened next to that late-night talk show and its ditzy guests.

It was 2 a.m., and a big Black woman in a massive wig was interviewing a thin white one with almost no hair. Their mouths were opening and closing soundlessly, and at last, I relented and turned up the volume.

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