Chapter 8 - The Man on the Phone

Mark wanted to grab the phone.

He didn't.

That was the first hard thing he did right that morning.

Lily put the call on speaker.

"You knew about me?"

Jason exhaled.

"I knew there was a chance. Your mother disappeared before we could figure it out."

"Did you look for me?"

A pause.

"Yes."

Mark's jaw tightened.

"How hard?" he asked.

Lily shot him a look.

Jason's voice cooled.

"Who is this?"

"Mark Bennett. Lily's father."

Another pause.

"I remember your name."

"Good for you."

Sarah touched Mark's arm.

He stepped back.

Lily asked, "Where are you?"

"Two hours away. Cedar Falls."

"Do you have kids?"

"One son. He's nine."

Lily looked hurt by that for reasons she could not explain.

"So you have another family."

"I have a life, Lily. But that doesn't mean I forgot you."

Mark folded his arms.

"You never met her."

Jason snapped, "Not because I didn't want to."

"Stop," Lily said.

Both men went silent.

She wiped one eye.

"I don't want a fight. I just want answers."

Jason softened.

"Then I'll answer whatever I can."

They talked for twenty minutes.

Favorite food. Birthdays. Medical history. A grandfather with diabetes. An aunt who painted. A family nose Lily suddenly hated because she recognized it in the photo.

Then Jason asked to meet.

Mark said, "No."

Lily said, "Yes."

They looked at each other.

Jason cleared his throat.

"Public place. Your whole family can come. I don't want trouble."

Sarah nodded slowly.

Mark did not.

After the call, Lily went upstairs.

Sarah followed.

Mark stayed in the kitchen.

Austin poured cereal without looking at him.

"You're scared," Austin said.

"Of course I am."

"Why?"

"Because I don't know him."

Austin took a bite.

"No. You're scared she might like him."

Mark's eyes snapped toward him.

Austin shrugged.

"You don't have to admit it."

"You think this is easy?"

"No. I think it's the first time you're on our side of it."

Mark stared.

Austin set down the spoon.

"Somebody shows up, and suddenly you wonder if love can be taken away because of DNA."

He walked toward the door.

"Welcome to last night."

Mark stood alone in the kitchen.

Then his phone buzzed.

A text from an unknown number.

MARK, IT'S JASON.

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