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"I didn't mean to snoop or anything," he continued, uncomfortable with my silence. "I was waiting for you and just started to look at this magazine when I found the picture."
"I'm sorry," I said, "I didn't tell you everything about my family."
"I don't mean to be nosy. It's just that. . . this picture... it's weird to find it like this."
"I know?' My thoughts were gathering, straightening up like bowling pins. I nodded and sat across from him. "My mother recently got divorced," I said. "I had a stepfather and he's the one who took that picture. He sent it here today by Federal Express."
"Why?"
Jade's parents' divorce battle came to mind first. It gave me fodder for fabrication.
"My mother and he fought over who was a better parent and he was just trying to prove she wasn't as good as she thought she was. They're still going to do legal battle over custody and
responsibility for me."
"He thought this was te
rrible?" he asked, holding up the picture.
"I guess. I didn't tell my mother I was having a party."
"Oh," he said. "So he thinks he caught you having a wild time behind her back and he's blaming her for leaving you alone?"
"Something like that," I said. "I'm sorry you're in the middle of it."
"No, that's all right."
He looked somewhat satisfied and I breathed with relief. "It was just strange to come upon this. Do you see him much anymore?" Stuart asked.
"No. Well, yes. I saw him today," I said, deciding to use every opportunity I had to bring in truth.
"What? When? Before I came?"
"No. He was the man on the beach I said was nobody. I'm sorry I didn't tell you who he really was."
"You mean you just accidentally met him there?" "I don't think it was accidental," I said.
Stuart's face grew tight and serious as his eyes darkened. Suddenly, he looked at the window.
"He's spying on you. Is that it?"
"Yes," I said. "If you want to leave, I'll understand," I said.
"No. That's stupid. He's just being stupid. How long after your real father's death did your mother wait before remarrying?"
"Not long."
"And how long were they married?"
"Nearly my whole life. I never knew my real father," I admitted.
"Oh," he said, nodding.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you all this."
"No, you don't have any reason to apologize. Why should you have told me? I was a complete stranger."
"I don't mind telling you now," I said, "and I did feel bad deceiving you into believing something else." He smiled.
