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It was as if she was about to tell me then all of sudden had a change of heart. That was odd. “Okay, I’m sure I’ll find out. After all, one of them will donate.”
I sit in the chair a little bit longer, with my fear of needles and all. One of the blood techs brings me some crackers and juice, before I stand up.
Caitlyn walks by, but she’s in a hurry and doesn’t see me. I want an update on my brother, and stand up anyway. I feel pretty good considering I just had my blood drawn.
“That’s not possible. How is it that neither parent is O negative?” This voice belongs to my mother-in-law.
“Yeah, I almost spilled the beans to the son. They’re twins. Do you think the mom was unfaithful? It’s the only way to explain this, and it wouldn’t be the first time we faced that,” the other nurse explains.
“I know this family. He’s my son-in-law. He looks like his mother but is built like his father. They share many of the same mannerisms, too. Evelyn can be a little clingy but she’s not…” She doesn’t finish her sentence. “Who is in the lab tonight across the street?”
“Jensen. Why?”
“He owes me a favor. Here, where’s the sample?” It’s quiet, and I can’t breathe. Did I just find out my father may not be my father?
* * *
“Mr. James, how are you feeling?”the same nurse asks an hour later.
“I’m better. But would you be able to ask my mother-in-law if she can swing by here, when you have a chance?” I’ve not left the waiting room of the lab since I overheard Caitlyn and the other nurse speaking.
“Oh, sure, honey. She just called me to let me know your brother is out of surgery. He’s in critical condition but stable.”
Liam. In the past hour, since learning my mother may have been unfaithful, I’d forgotten about my twin fighting for his life.
My phone rings several times. It’s Ash. He’d sent me a quick message about Lainey. These kids, fuck, I love them and Ash so much. In our marriage, he picks me up when I can’t.
If I answer the phone, he’ll hear it in my voice, and I’ll break down. He needs to be strong for our kids, not for me.
Caitlyn opens the door to the waiting room in the lab. “Hey sweetheart, I was told you wanted to see me.” Caitlyn Brooks has been a part of my life for over two years. I may not know her like my husband or my mom, but her manner does not seem normal. Which shouldn’t be a terrible surprise, given that her own daughter was in the same accident as my brother. “Please tell me they told you about Liam. The next twenty-four hours will tell us more.”
I drop my head into my hands, and I cry for the first time since I found out I may lose my twin.
She rubs my back in a motherly way. “It’s okay, Noah. Let it out, you’ve been through a lot tonight.”
I turn my head toward hers. “I need you to level with me. Is our dad—mine and Liam’s, our biological father? It won’t change who he is to me, and to Liam. He’ll always be my dad, but…”
Caitlyn’s eyes widen. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to get you in trouble, but I overheard your conversation with the nurse. I have every right to know, don’t you think?”
She looks away as she wipes the tears falling from her face. “You have every right to know, sweetheart, but it can’t come from me.”
We both know who I have to talk to. “Can you please get my mom, then?”
* * *
Caitlyn setsme up in a conference room. This can’t be happening. Mom went on fertility drugs, and went through in vitro. How is this possible? Would she cheat on Dad? Did they use another man’s sperm, because Dad’s wasn’t viable? Now, I’m just making up stories.
The conference room has large windows that look out to the parking lot, but it’s private from people passing by. I’m pacing the room, unable to sit down. The doorknob turns. My attention is on it, and I know my life is about to change. Mom walks in, her eyes so swollen I can barely see them.
“Noah, baby.” She’s not fully through the door, and she opens her arms for my embrace. I step farther away. I hold up my hands, stopping her advance. I can’t look at her right now.
“Please tell me the truth, Mom. Please tell me that you didn’t cheat on Dad. Is Dad our dad?”
She doesn’t show any of the typical signs of shock or surprise. I was expecting her mouth to fall open, her hand to fly to her chest, her eyes widening or her pitch higher than typical.
“Mom, I deserve the truth. Did you cheat on dad?”
She grips onto the table for support. “Oh, honey. I’ve feared the day you’d find out about this. I’ve only tried to protect you, baby.”
