I felt the blood drain from my face.
Caleb’s voice was tiny.
“Why is he talking about me?”
Then Darius said something I will hear in my nightmares for the rest of my life.
“You deserve to know who your mother really is.”
The speakers clicked off.
For several seconds, neither Caleb nor I moved.
Around us, passengers shifted awkwardly.
A woman across the aisle pretended to read.
Someone in the row ahead slowly turned around.
Caleb stared at me.
His face was no longer excited.
He looked terrified.
“You’re my mom.”
I grabbed him.
“Of course I am.”
“Then why did Dad say that?”
“I don’t know.”
“Who’s Simone?”
“I don’t know.”
“Is she my mom?”
“No.”
The answer came too quickly.
Too desperately.
Caleb’s eyes filled.
“You said you don’t know.”
I pulled him against me.
“You grew inside me.
I carried you.
