Truth Be Told

by Victoria Christopher Murray

“It would be,” she agreed. “Except for the report I got this morning when I received the paternity results.” She took a breath, then spoke as if she were reading a newspaper. “I’m not responding to the new medication.”

  Grace’s heart pounded as Pilar told them the rest of the news.

  Chapter 29

  Conner sat on the edge of the bed, his hands folded beneath his chin. Grace took a deep breath before she sat next to him.

  “There’s nothing to worry about,” she said as she rubbed his back.

  “I just want to do this right.” He stood. “I hate that I have to tell Solomon that I’m his father and then get on a plane to L.A.”

  Grace inhaled. “You could stay if you wanted to. For a day or two.”

  He stared at the floor considering her words. “No, we have to get home to the girls. Especially Jayde. She didn’t sound good when I spoke to her last night.”

  Grace breathed, but hesitated before she said, “Conner, I’m going to meet you in Queens at Pilar’s.” When he frowned, she continued, “Zoë asked if I would check on her aunt.”

  “Oh.” He looked relieved. “Well, I’ll go with you.”

  “No,” she said quickly, then smiled. “This is something I want to do.” She paused. “And we both could use some time alone before we talk to Solomon.”

  He nodded and pulled her into his arms. “Thank you, sweetheart, for staying by my side. And for being with me when I tell Solomon that I’m his father.”

  He leaned over to kiss her, but she backed away before their lips could meet. “Of course, I would be with you, Conner,” she said with as much cheer as she could gather. “If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it together.”

  His frown asked why she’d said if. But he remained quiet while she put on her jacket. “I called for a car this morning,” she said, picking up her pocketbook. “It should be here.”

  “Okay.” Conner looked around the hotel room as if he didn’t know what he was going to do. “You’ll meet me at Pilar’s?”

  She nodded. “I’ll probably be there before you.” She kissed him and then rushed into the hallway. Grace wished that she could stay to hold his hand, to assure him that all would be well. But right now all she was concerned about was protecting him.

  Grace paid the driver, waited until the car pulled away, then walked up the walkway and knocked on the door.

  “Grace?” Pilar tightened the belt on her bathrobe. It looked as if it could have wrapped around her twice. She stepped aside so that Grace could enter. “I didn’t expect you for another hour.” She peeked outside. “Where’s Conner?”

  “He’ll be here.” Grace walked into the living room leaving Pilar at the door. “Is Solomon home?”

  Pilar closed the door and rubbed her palms on her robe. “No, I didn’t plan to call the school until you and Conner got here.” She paused. “What are you doing here now?”

  “We need to talk.”

  She looked as if she wanted to deny Grace’s request, but she sat and motioned for Grace to do the same.

  Grace placed her purse on the table. “We don’t have a lot of time, so I’ll get to the point.” She looked into Pilar’s eyes. “I don’t believe the paternity results.”

  Her statement pushed Pilar back in her chair. “I don’t understand.”

  “I called New York College Medical Center. I know how much the tests cost, how long it takes, and even that they only do the tests in person.”

  Pilar lowered her eyes. “Oh.” When Grace said nothing, Pilar added, “The tests told the truth, Grace.”

  “It takes six to eight weeks to get results. Not five days.” Grace stood. “I’m not going to allow my husband and my entire family to be dragged into something …”

  “My doctor had the tests done for me.”

  Grace’s stare told Pilar that she knew she was a liar.

  Pilar continued, “Dr. Austin understood my position. He knew I was being forced into the tests.”

  “I would have thought you’d want the tests as much as I did.”

  “I didn’t need them.” She paused. “But you did. So Dr. Austin rushed the procedure for me because he knows how critical time is.”

  “How do you explain not having the tests done in person?”

  Pilar frowned. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “The center told me they only do the tests in person.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Pilar said. “I only spoke to Dr. Austin, and he gave me the package for Conner.”

  It’s a good story, Grace thought.

  Pilar stood and walked to the phone. She lifted the receiver and dialed. Grace could hear the telephone ringing on the other end when Pilar said, “You should talk to Dr. Austin.”

  Grace swallowed. “You’re calling your doctor?”

  “Yes. He can tell you everything.” Pilar brought the receiver to her ear. “Hi, Anita. This is Pilar. Is Dr. Austin available?”

  Grace stared, wide-eyed.

  “Yes, please tell him I called.” Pilar looked at Grace. “Tell him I have some questions about the paternity test. There is someone I want him to speak to.”

  Grace’s silence continued.

  Pilar dropped the phone back into its place. “Grace, I wouldn’t have disrupted your life if this wasn’t true. Can’t you look at my son and see? It’s obvious that Solomon is Conner’s son.”

  Grace closed her eyes. Those sounded like Conner’s words. It was obvious to everyone—except her.

  “You need to talk to my doctor, Grace, because I need to know where you stand. If you don’t want your husband to be his son’s father, that’s fine. Just let me know because I need to die knowing whether my son has a home. I need to die in peace.”

  Grace pressed her lips together at Pilar’s words. Peace. They were two mothers searching for the same thing.

  “I have to get dressed, but when I come downstairs, I hope you’ll give me an answer.” Pilar scribbled on a notepad and handed the paper to Grace. “Here’s Dr. Austin’s number. He’s with a patient, but you can call in a few minutes. He’ll verify the results. You should call before Conner gets here.”

  It seemed to take more effort than normal for Pilar to turn and walk up the stairs.

  Grace waited until she heard Pilar’s bedroom door close before she covered her face with her hands. Uncertainty was much easier than the truth. But the truth was here. The war was over. Solomon was Conner’s son.

  Grace didn’t know where she should be. Should she stand and let Pilar and Conner tell Solomon? Or should she sit next to her husband? When Conner reached for her, the decision was made. She took his hand and sat on the couch, perched on the edge as he was.

  “Solomon should be here any minute,” Pilar said as she came from the kitchen. “The school van will bring him.”

  “What did you tell them?” Conner asked as he stroked Grace’s hand.

  “I told them it was a family emergency, but to make sure that Solomon didn’t think I was sick.” Pilar peeked through the curtains.

  Conner nodded. “I’ve presented some big cases, but none was ever like this.” He chuckled, although there was no humor in the sound.

  Grace jumped at the sound of a car door slamming.

  Pilar looked through the curtains. “He’s here.”

  Conner squeezed Grace’s hand and she tried to smile. It was the best she could do. While Conner had had weeks to process this, Grace felt as if she was just getting the news. She’d talked herself out of believing it. Ever since she’d demanded a paternity test, she’d convinced herself that this was not Conner’s son.

  Conner and Grace stood when Pilar opened the door.

  “Mom, what happened?”

  They watched as Solomon ran through the front door.

  “Nothing, sweetie. I’m fine.”

  “When they said I had to come home, I was scared …” He stopped when he stepped into the living room. “Oh, hello.” He stared at Grace and Conner, then turned
to his mother. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, honey. Mr. and Mrs. Monroe wanted to see you again.”

  Today, Grace saw it. The boy screamed that he carried Conner’s DNA.

  “Hello, Solomon.” Conner stepped toward him. “It’s good to see you again.”

  By the way he held his mother’s hand, Grace knew that he was aware this was not the same as their other visits.

  “I didn’t know you were coming.” He paused. “Mom, is this why you called me home?”

  Pilar nodded. “Come and sit over here.” Solomon continued to hold her hand as they moved to the couch.

  When Conner joined them, Grace found herself in the same chair she’d sat in on Saturday—across from father, mother, and son.

  “There’s something wrong. I can tell,” Solomon said.

  “Nothing’s wrong,” his mother assured him. “But there is something we have to tell you.”

  He sat in the middle but kept his eyes on his mother.

  “Solomon, remember the talks we had about your father?”

  He nodded.

  “I told you it might be possible for you to meet him.”

  Grace held her breath as Solomon turned to Conner. “You’re my father.”

  Conner nodded.

  Solomon tilted his head. “I’m not surprised,” he said, astonishing them all. “The first time I saw you, I noticed you looked like me.”

  There was silence before they all laughed.

  “I thought about asking my mom the other day, but I figured she’d tell me when it was best.”

  Grace shook her head. Wise words from a child.

  Conner lifted Solomon’s hand. “So how do you feel?”

  Solomon shrugged. “It’s good, right? Now I’ll get to see you.”

  “Yes.” Conner looked over Solomon’s shoulder to Pilar.

  She nodded, confirming that would be all they would tell Solomon today.

  Conner continued, “You’ll get to see me a lot.”

  Solomon smiled.

  “Do you have any questions, sweetheart?” Pilar asked.

  He was silent for a moment, then said, “I missed nutrition. Do you think I could have something to eat?”

  They laughed again.

  “I think that can be arranged,” Conner said. “Let’s go out. What’s your favorite restaurant?”

  “Anna’s. I love the lasagna.” Solomon took his mother’s hand and then turned to Conner. When he took Conner’s hand, Grace blinked to hold back the tears. Then when Solomon turned to her and smiled, her first tear fell.

  Chapter 30

  “Mommy, Daddy,” Amber squealed. She ran toward them, with Jayde a few steps behind.

  Grace hugged Amber, then she held Jayde. “How’s my girl doing?” Grace whispered.

  “I’m fine, Mommy. Glad that you’re home.”

  Jayde hugged Conner, but held Grace’s hand as they weaved through the baggage claim crowd. Lily stood on at the edge, waiting and smiling.

  Grace embraced her mother. “I thought you were going to meet us at the house.”

  “Your children changed that.” Lily laughed and pulled one of Amber’s pigtails.

  “Let me find our driver,” Conner said. “I’ll tell him we got a better offer.”

  By the time they got into the Suburban, Amber had filled her parents in on every minute with her grandmother. In the car, Amber switched from reporter to inquisitor, wanting to know all about New York. While Amber chattered, Jayde stayed silent.

  Even after they got home and Grace pulled the children’s gifts from her suitcase, Jayde remained subdued. When Amber went to bed and Conner took their suitcases upstairs, Grace walked Jayde to her bedroom.

  “So, anything happen while we were away?” Grace sat on the bed while Jayde hung her denim jacket with the “I Love New York” emblem on the back.

  “No.”

  “What about Philip and his cousin?”

  Jayde sighed and sat next to Grace, resting her head on her mother’s shoulder. “I didn’t see him. I just stayed with Nana.”

  “You didn’t even go to the movies?” Grace asked, trying to remember the last time her teenager volunteered to stay home.

  Jayde shook her head. “I was worried when you and Daddy went away.”

  Grace put her arms around Jayde. “Why? We’ve traveled lots of times.”

  She felt her daughter shrug against her. “This time seemed different. Like something was wrong.”

  Grace cleared her throat. “Everything is fine.”

  Jayde lifted her head. “Are you sure?”

  She looked into her daughter’s eyes and wondered what her child saw. “I promise.” She kissed Jayde’s forehead. “It’s getting late.” As she turned away, Jayde hugged her.

  Grace closed her eyes. “Good night, sweetheart.” She stepped into the hall, closed Jayde’s door, then rushed to her bedroom. “Conner, we have a problem.”

  He came out of his closet already dressed for bed. “More teenage drama?” He chuckled.

  She shook her head, and his smile disappeared.

  “She knows something.” Grace repeated her conversation with Jayde. “She’s scared.”

  Conner sank onto the bed. “We’ve got to tell Jayde and Amber.”

  Grace sat next to him. “They’re not ready.”

  “We have to get them ready. Pilar and Solomon will be here in a few weeks. Plus, I want them to know before we tell anyone else.”

  “What are you planning to do, Conner?” She stood. “Take out a newspaper ad?”

  “Grace, we have to say something. People are going to ask questions once Solomon moves in.”

  She pressed her lips together. “What are you going to say?”

  “I don’t know yet. But it should be easy if we tell the truth.”

  “Conner, nothing about this has been easy. So why should it be easy for two children who thought they were the center of your life?”

  Conner pushed himself from the bed. “They are and always will be. That hasn’t changed, and you know it.”

  “I’m talking about the way the girls are going to feel. You’re mistaken if you think it’s going to be as simple as when you walked into Solomon’s life. There, you were giving that boy something he’s always wanted. With your daughters, they’re going to feel as if they’re losing something.” She paused. “Just like I felt.”

  His chin jutted forward. “Grace, no one is losing anything.”

  She turned away from him.

  He asked, “So what are we going to do when Solomon is staring at Jayde and Amber across the dinner table?”

  “I said we’re not going to tell them now.” Grace stood and stomped toward the door.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To the office.”

  He sighed. “We can’t do this again, honey.” Conner took her hand.

  “I’m just going to call Zoë to let her know I’m home.”

  Conner let his fingers slip from Grace’s.

  “This situation has taken over everything,” Grace continued. “I need to take back my life.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Just what I said.” She went into their office. For weeks, their life had consisted of what Conner and Pilar and Solomon needed.

  Well, she was putting herself and her daughters higher on the priority list. And she would make sure that Conner did not reveal any of this to Jayde or Amber. Not yet. Not until she said so.

  Chapter 31

  Conner tapped on the conference room door, then stepped inside.

  Chandler dropped the stirrer into his cup. “You’re back.”

  “Seems that way,” Conner said. He nodded at Albert, one of the new associates. “I need a moment with Chandler.”

  “The Jacobys will be here in ten minutes,” Albert said before he stepped from the room.

  Conner and Chandler hugged.

  “How was New York? You could’ve called a brother.”

  “So
rry.” Conner took a seat. “The days were filled.” He pressed his fingertips together as the days’ images rewound through his mind. How could he express all that he thought, saw, felt, experienced? “You have no idea what it was like to meet Solomon. And what it was like to tell him that I was his father.”

  Chandler whistled. “You did that?”

  Conner nodded. “The results are in. I’m his father.” He pulled a photo from his wallet and grinned as he slid it across the cherry wood table. “The first picture of father and son.”

  Chandler chuckled. “So, what’s the plan?”

  Conner’s smile slipped away. “We’re flying Pilar and Solomon out.” He took a deep breath. “They’re moving here.”

  “Moving in with you?”

  “Solomon will, but we haven’t set any dates. We’re taking this slow. Although …” He paused and lowered his eyes. “Pilar doesn’t look good, man.”

  Chandler shook his head.

  “But we’re all still praying. There’s a lot more, but right now, I want to get to work. Marilyn gave me the notes. Looks like we’ve got a case with the Jacobys.”

  “Yeah, but if you need more time …”

  Conner pictured Stefan Jacoby in his mind. “I’ve got this one.” He leaned across the conference table. “Nothing’s more important than taking care of that boy.”

  Chandler wasn’t sure which boy his brother was talking about. But Albert’s knock on the door didn’t give him time to ask.

  “The Jacobys are here,” Albert announced. “I’ll get Monica.”

  Conner stood and buttoned his jacket. He was ready for the battle.

  “It is good to have you back,” Zoë said.

  Grace looked up from the calendar Zoë had prepared. “You already said that.”

  “I’m talking about really having you back.” She paused. “After the election, you seemed distracted, and I was worried. But New York was good for you. It’s like it changed you.”

  You have no idea, Grace thought. She said, “I’m ready to take on the Eighteenth District.”

  Zoë’s eyes twinkled with the excitement she’d had as campaign manager. “As soon as you tell me how to schedule things, I’ll get moving.” She stood. “We still have several weeks before you officially take office, but we should sure up the staff. I’ll be in my office when you’re ready.”