“What did I say?”
“You were filling out the application for the summer institute. They asked for guardianship documents. You said, ‘If Denise ever decides she wants him back, I don’t know what happens.’”
I remembered.
The application had been fourteen pages long.
Ethan had been eating apple slices at the kitchen counter while I muttered at the paperwork.
I had not realized he was listening.
Of course he was listening.
“You were scared,” he said.
“Yes.”
“That was when I knew.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
His answer came quietly.
“Because Grandpa told me he would.”
I turned toward Dad.
My father looked stricken.
“Dad?”
He stared at the table.
“I intended to.”
“When?”
“I don’t know.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“No.”
He rubbed his hands together.
“I found Ethan with the letter. I realized what he had read. I told him it was adult paperwork and that I would explain everything to you.”
