Chapter 9 - Grant asks me not to test
Grant called me.
“You’re testing Lucas?”
“With his consent.”
“Don’t.”
I stared at the phone.
“Why?”
“Because if it’s him—”
“What?”
He could not say it.
“If he is Maddie’s biological father?”
Grant whispered:
“Stop saying that.”
“Biological donor, then.”
“He’s my cousin.”
“Yes.”
“My mother will say—”
I laughed.
I could not help it.
“You are still worried what your mother will say?”
“No.”
“You publicly rejected our daughter because of what your mother thinks blood means.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Then explain.”
Silence.
Finally:
“If Lucas is the donor, then Mom got what she wanted.”
There.
Bennett blood.
Even through deception.
Grant continued:
“And I’ll know every time I see him.”
“Know what?”
“That he could do what I couldn’t.”
I closed my eyes.
This was the center of Grant’s wound.
Not Maddie.
Comparison.
“I am sorry infertility hurt you.”
He said nothing.
“But Maddie is not evidence of your failure.”
“I know.”
“Then stop making her carry it.”
He began crying.
May you like
For once I let the silence remain.
────────────────────
