Reunited(19)

“All right, Mr. Patton.”

“Call me Michael.”

“Of course. Call me Kathryn.”

“I got your name from the agency. The records said that once I was eighteen, if I wanted to contact you, I could. I did a little research and found your married name. It was just a stroke of luck that you’re still living in the same city.”

“When’s your birthday?”

“January fourth.”

Right date. Holy shit. “All right.” Her stomach burned. Her son. Her beautiful, precious son.

Brett’s son.

Lord, she had to tell him.

If she wanted to start a relationship with him, she had to tell him anyway. A relationship built on a lie was no relationship at all. She’d hoped for a little more time. A little more to get used to the idea, to get him used to the idea…

“I know this is coming out of nowhere for you,” Michael said, “but I really do want to meet you. And I have a question to ask you.”

“What?”

“Well, the adoption papers don’t specify who my father was.”

“No.” She hadn’t written it down. Hadn’t wanted Brett to ever know. Had wanted him to play baseball, to have the life he deserved.

“You…do know who he was, right?”

“Yes. He was…is…a fine man.”

“Oh, good. I just didn’t want to be the product of a rape or anything.”

“Oh no. Nothing like that. I loved your father. I was just young, and he was…engaged to someone else.”

“Oh. I see.”

“I wish I could have kept you. I do, Michael. But I was eighteen, and I had a scholarship.”

“It’s okay. My mom and dad are great, and I have two sisters.”

“You have another sister. Maya, my daughter, is four.”

“Oh?”

“And…three other sisters. Your father, he has three daughters.”

“So you still keep in contact with him?”

“I, uh, recently renewed contact, yes.”

“I don’t want to push you, but can we meet? I’ve just always wondered what you look like. Where my nose comes from, things like that.”

“I, uh, suppose.” Her nerves skittered.

“And my father? Could I meet him?”

“Oh Lord.” She sighed. “Michael—”

“He doesn’t know about me, does he?”

“No. I’m so sorry. He just came back into my life.”

“Aren’t you going to tell him?”

“Yes. I just need to find the right time.”

“I understand. Until you find the right time, maybe you and I can meet.”

She smiled into the phone. “I’d like that. I truly would. You probably won’t believe this, but I’ve missed you all these years. A day has not gone by that I haven’t thought of you. I always hoped I’d made the right decision.”

“You did. I have a great life.”

“You have no idea how glad I am to hear that.”

She grabbed a pad of paper from her bureau. “I wish I could talk longer, but I need to go. I have company. Could you give me your number? I’ll call you.”

“Okay.”

She hastily scribbled down the name and number on the pad. “I’m so glad to hear from you, Michael. You have no idea.”

“Good. I’m glad I didn’t disrupt your life.”

“Oh no. You couldn’t. I’m so happy you’ve had a good life and I do want to know you. I’ll call you. Or you can call me anytime, okay?”

“Thank you…Kathryn. I appreciate it.”

“Bye now.”

“Bye.”

Kathryn drew a deep breath. Brett.

Brett was in the other room and had no idea he had a son.

She’d never told him. Suddenly, she felt she’d made the wrong decision. Would he understand her reasoning? Or would he be angry?

Oh God, he’d be angry…

She wanted to be with him. Wanted to make love with him again. Wanted all the passion and excitement she’d given up twenty years ago. The passion and excitement she’d never felt with another man in all this time.

They still had a dinner date. Maybe she could tell him, in a public place, where he wouldn’t have a fit…

What if he hated her? She couldn’t bear the thought. What if he walked away? Forever? When she’d just found him again?

She clutched the phone in her hand as her eyes misted. She walked numbly out of the bedroom.

“You okay?” Brett came toward her. “You look a little off.”

She sniffed. “A patient. He’s okay though. It’s just hard sometimes.”

“I bet it is. You’re such a caring person. You must hurt when they hurt.”

If he only knew. “Yes. It’s difficult. A doctor is supposed to keep a professional distance.”

“How can you? They’re people. People you get to know.”

“Yes they are.” She smiled. “You get it.”

“Of course, I get it. I get you, Kath. I always have.”

God yes, he always did get her.

“Ready for dinner?”