“Fine!” Tina says, picking up a forkful of waffles. “So what’s your story, Mr. Callahan?”
After catching Tina up to speed on his and Nate's childhood, Cal picks up where he left off.
“When Mom and Dad adopted us, we kept our last name, Reed, as a middle name. Nate was older, and that was a compromise he could accept. He remembers his dad. I only have glimpses of memories; nothing concrete.”
“What about your mothers?” Tina asks.
I turn to Cal, realizing we hadn’t touched on that part yet—and I hadn’t thought to ask.
“Let’s see,” Cal begins, looking away as if trying to recall a distant memory. “I know our grandmother was the one raising us after her sons died. First, it was Nate, then me.”
"That poor woman lost both sons?" I say, feeling an overwhelming sense of sympathy for Cal's grandma.
“Do you know where they are?” Tina asks, a look of disbelief crossing her face. "Your mothers?"
"I know Uncle Nathan met Nate's mother when he was stationed in Germany. Honestly, I don’t know much more than that."
"You’ve never asked?" Tina says, raising an eyebrow. "Just out of curiosity?"
"Nate’s a private person," Cal replies. "That part of his life is something he keeps to himself. I don’t know if it’s out of reverence or if it’s something he’d rather forget. Either way, I don’t pry."
"What about your mother?" I ask carefully, wondering if Cal will be open to sharing.
"I don’t know," he says, shaking his head. "The fact that our grandmother raised us—and I don’t have a single memory of my mother—makes me think she was never in the picture."
"I'm sorry," I say, reaching for his hand. He takes it gently and brings it to his lips, kissing it softly. My heart melts and breaks for him.
"My mother’s absence feels a lot like what my own daughter experiences. That's why I’m so adamant about Meghan being present for Hannah. I don’t want history to repeat itself."
I nod in agreement, completely understanding how important it is for Cal to ensure Hannah knows her mother and has a relationship with her.
"Does Beth know?" I ask.
Cal nods. "When we asked her if she’d like our parents to adopt her, she was a little confused. Nate and I sat down with her and explained we were adopted too. It meant she'd be part of our family forever."
"She never mentioned anything," I say.
"Beth is young," he begins, "but she’s pretty sensible. She left it up to me to decide when and how to share that part of my life with you."
“What about the twins?” Tina asks. “Are they adopted too?”
“No,” Cal replies. “They were born two years after we were adopted.”
He chuckles, then adds, “Dad got me and Nate matching ‘Big Brother’ T-shirts and made us wear them to the hospital the day they were born. Nate says it was the most embarrassing day of his life.”
Tina rolls her eyes, a teasing smile on her face. “Why doesn't that surprise me? That guy is such a grump!”
"If I didn’t know any better, I’d think my brother’s grumpy charm is starting to work on you," Cal teases.
"I think we should change the subject," I offer, glancing at Tina.
"I think you're absolutely right," Tina says, glancing between Cal and me. "Let’s change the subject."
Something in her tone makes Cal look up from his waffles, his fork suspended in midair.
“What is it?” I ask, curiosity prickling at the edge of my voice.
“Not a what,” Tina says with a grin. “A who. You’ll never guess who I met last night.”
