'This is it,' she thinks.      She takes another deep breath, willing the butterflies in her stomach to settle down.      And then she knocks.      She hears the sound of footsteps coming down stairs and before she can brace herself, the door is flung open and she is face to face with a man…      The man is not her father. She exhales suddenly, realizing that she had been holding her breath.      "May I help you?" the man asks pleasantly, stepping out onto the front porch.      She scans him a moment. He is handsome, probably in his mid-thirties. Perhaps he is some long-lost relative she didn't know about?      "Y-yes," she stutters, feeling flustered. "I am looking for a Mr. Francis Gardenia. I understand that he lived here quite some time ago, and was wondering if he was available?"      The man looks her up and down. Then he shakes his head. "I'm sorry, miss. I don't know of anyone by that name."      She is unprepared for the disappointment she feels.      "Are you sure?" she asks, gasping a little at the shock.      "I'm positive." He considers her, frowning. "Are you ok, miss?"      She nods her head. Her cheeks feel hot. "Oh yes, I'm fine… It's just that I've been searching for someone and thought this would be the end of my search." She pauses, staring down at her feet. "I'm terribly sorry to have bothered you."      "Please don't worry about it," the man says, smiling gently. There is compassion in his voice. "If it helps at all," he begins, "we bought this house about 5 years ago. I know that there were three owners before us, so perhaps the person you are looking for was one of them. I'm sorry I couldn't help more."      "Thank you," Melinda says. "Again, I'm sorry for disturbing you. Have a good night."      The man steps back to enter his house. "I hope you find what you're looking for. Goodnight."      The door closes, leaving Melinda alone on the strange front porch. Numbly, she walks back to her car and gets in. The tears don't start until she is back on Highway 72, heading towards home.      Blinded by her tears, she pulls over on the side of the road and sobs.