Then Michael exhaled.
“Is the baby there?”
I looked at Aaron.
“Tell him yes.”
Aaron swallowed.
“Yes.”
Another pause.
Then Michael said, “You need to come over. Both of you.”
An hour later, Diana stayed with the children while Aaron and I sat across from Michael at his kitchen table.
Michael looked directly at Aaron.
“Our father had the same mark.”
Aaron froze.
“What did you say?”
Michael lowered his eyes.
“Your father was my father too.”
I spoke first.
“How long have you known?”
“Since I was seventeen.”
Aaron stared at him.
“You knew?”
Michael nodded.
“Your father knew too,” I said.
“Yes.”
“And he made you keep it from Aaron?”
Michael rubbed both hands over his face.
“He made me promise. Said I could be part of Aaron’s life as his friend, but never as his brother.”
“Even after he died?” I asked.
Michael looked at Aaron.
“After our father died, you were the only family I had left. I’d already kept the truth from you for years. I was terrified that if I told you then, you’d hate me for lying and I’d lose you too.”
Aaron pushed his chair back.
“That’s why you were like that at the funeral.”
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