Ronan’s arms tightened around me. “You weren’t. No one else ever had a chance.”
Isaac raised his beer. “Finally, man. I know you always wanted this. I think you’ve got the right guy now.”
“I know I do.”
We finished our pizza and beer, and while the conversation flowed and we made plans to go to a Nets game at the Barclays Center, my concentration remained on my phone, which sat quiet.
A warm hand massaged my neck. “Don’t obsess over it. There could be any number of reasons why they haven’t contacted you yet.”
Of course Ronan was right, but that didn’t make it any easier to take.
Isaac slipped on his jacket. “I hate to leave, but I’m falling on my face. Going to sleep tomorrow, but if you hear anything, call me.” He grabbed me and held me tight. “No matter what, it’s okay.”
He and Ronan hugged, and I wished I could smile at how my life was pretty damn good, but the weight of possibility remained an anchor holding me down from letting go and enjoying it all. I wanted those answers. That closure.
The door closed behind him, and we cleaned up in silence, then settled on the couch. Ronan rubbed his feet with mine and turned on the TV so we could watch a drama I’d been looking forward to, but my mind was more on my silent phone than the screen. Before I knew it, three episodes had passed and we were in the middle of the fourth when Ronan turned off the set.
“I have another court hearing tomorrow. Just some formality. I’m hoping it’s going to be the last.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve been too involved—”
“Don’t negate your self-worth. Your problems are as important as mine. I’m only telling you because it’s at ten, so we should get to bed.”
“That’s never a problem for us.” I gave him a slow smile, which he returned.
“Sleep, Gabriel. Dirty mind.”
“And you love it.” I cackled. My phone pinged with a message and I froze. My fingers shook as I picked it up and met Ronan’s wide-eyed gaze. “It’s Amanda.” I wanted to puke.
“Take your time. You don’t have to read it right away.”
Incredulous, I stared at him. “You’re kidding, right?”
He scooted over to my side. “Yeah. Of course I am. Open it.”
I hit the screen, and a long message appeared. I shut my eyes for a second, and then I began to read.
Dear Gabriel,
It seems funny to write this opening as if you were a stranger when you’re my brother. I was shocked when I opened your message, and I’ll admit I even cried, not only for myself and Marshall, but for you. I can’t imagine how you must’ve felt all those years, thinking we wanted nothing to do with you, when the fact is, we didn’t know you existed.
Marshall is allowing me to answer for both of us, as he’s out of the country on a business trip, but he wants you to know he’s always had these faint memories of someone coming to play in our pool. He now suspects it was you.
And I’m sure you remember everything.
What can I possibly say to you that could make up for all the lost years? I’m so sorry my parents did this, especially our father, to all of us. I called my parents and asked them why, and my mother said it was to protect us, but I’m not sure from what. More than half my friends’ parents are divorced, so I don’t understand, but I’m too angry and upset right now to confront them. I might say things that will irreparably damage our relationship. I love my parents, but lying to us, and worse, ignoring you all these years, is something I haven’t yet been able to wrap my head around.
So. I have another brother. It’s going to take some time to get used to it. In case you don’t know, I’m married, and my husband, David, works with our father. We have three children. Stevie’s eight, Lizzy’s five, and Victoria is two and a half. Marshall is married too, and he also works at Dad’s firm. His wife’s name is Lisa, and they have two boys, Jeremy, who’s ten, and Alexander, who is seven. We all live near Mom and Dad in Southern California. I’ll send you pictures. I’m still not quite sure what to tell the kids, but they’re old enough to understand they have a new uncle. Maybe we can just leave it at that.
If you thought for one minute that we wouldn’t want to get to know you, put it out of your mind. Yes, it’s a shock and we’re upset, but it’s nothing we won’t work through. I’m going to give you my email and my phone number, and when you feel ready to reach out, let me know, and I’ll be there to talk to. Marsh will be home in a week, so maybe you’ll want to wait until then so we can all be together and maybe FaceTime?
I can’t wait to meet you, Gabriel.
My eyes stung with tears, and I let Ronan hold me. “That’s fantastic. The best result you could’ve hoped for.”
“I never could’ve done it without you here.”
Ronan kissed me. “Yeah, you could’ve. But you don’t have to. That’s the point. I’m here, and you’re not going anywhere. You’ve got five little nieces and nephews now. That’s cool. You get to watch them grow up.”
