There’s a pause. “Well,” she says. “The paternity test results are back.”
“Back?” I say, “ I didn’t even think it had been done.”
“It’s done,” she says, her voice softer than usual. ‘Spencer, she’s yours.”
I press my eyes shut, the words landing differently than I expect—even though I already knew.
“I know,” I say quietly.
“Well, you’ve definitely been acting like it this week,” Gina says. “Going to great lengths to save her life and all.”
“Gina, that was the right thing to do, either way. I maynot like what Rhea did, but I care about her, and she needed help. Esme needed help.”
“Well, you know me. I wasn’t a believer. Wasn’t convinced she was telling the truth.”
“Really? I had no idea,” I sneer, dripping with sarcasm. “Here, I always thought you liked her.”
“I still don’t get why she didn’t come out with it sooner. But I will give her this - that girl is not a gold digger. In fact, if sheisafter your money, she’s got a piss-poor way of going at it.”
I let that land, then glance down the walk, where Rhea sits staring up at the sky.
“Yeah. I know.”
“So she’s yours. And you’re there with her. What now? Should I have your attorney start drafting a custodial trust? Educational account? Shared custody agreement?”
“No! No. Not now. Not yet. Jesus!” I snap, “Right now, I just need to see her breathe on her own. I need to see her leave this hospital. The rest can wait.”
Gina’s quiet for a second.
Then, in that no-nonsense voice I know so well, asks, “Spencer?”
“Yes?” Irritation starting to bubble up.
“Do you love her?”
“Esme? Of course. She’s my flesh and blood.”
“That I get. And I’m glad. But I didn’t mean Esme.”
I lean forward, rubbing the back of my neck.
“I mean Rhea. Do you loveher?”
I’m staring at her, still. And even through the distance I can feel the pull. I hesitate. “I thought I did.”
“But?” she prompts.
“But she lied,” I say flatly. “She kept Esme from me.”
There’s a long breath on theother end.
“Well, buddy, as a single mom myself, let me just tell you—keeping a man out of a child’s life and doing it alone isn’t something most women choose unless they’re convinced it’s the only thing that’s right.”
I don’t respond for a long moment.
“So what, now you’re trying to push me toward her?” I say. “After months of trying to convince me I should forget all about her?”
“It’s different now, Spence,” she says, her voice firm. “Now you’re a dad.”
