I didn’t care.
“She waited 21 years.”
“Please let me explain.”
“Then come here.”
Silence.
“I don’t know if I can.”
I almost laughed.
“You’ve had 21 years to decide.”
Noah stared at the floor.
Then he said, “Dad, come here.”
Michael went quiet.
“Dad.”
“I heard you.”
“No. You don’t get to do that.”
Noah’s voice shook.
“You knew I had family?”
Another silence.
“Yes.”
“You let me think I didn’t?”
“Noah, it’s complicated.”
“No, it’s not. Did you know about Aunt Diane?”
Michael didn’t answer.
Noah looked at me when he said the word “aunt.”
Then he looked at Tyler.
His face drained of color.
“Wait.”
Tyler understood at exactly the same moment.
“Oh my God.”
Noah backed away.
“If she’s your mom…”
Tyler stared at him.
“Michael is her brother.”
Noah whispered, “Then you’re…”
“Cousins,” I said.
Neither boy spoke.
Noah sat down.
Tyler sat at the opposite end of the table.
