Truth Be Told (23 page)

Grace wondered if Pilar stomped on her heart on purpose.

“The most difficult part for Solomon,” Pilar paused as she looked out the window, her eyes raised as if she were looking to heaven, “will be losing me.”

A lump formed in Grace's throat that threatened to choke her. “He asked me if I knew you were sick.”

Pilar nodded. “I've been honest with him. Solomon is older than his years, and I knew he could handle the truth. He's been such a comfort. We pray together every day.”

Grace nodded and squeezed Conner's hand.

Pilar continued, “It's been a difficult journey, but the last part will be bearable … because of you.” She wiped a solitary tear that hung at the corner of her eye.

Grace kept her eyes on Pilar. She didn't dare look at Conner.

“Grace, I cannot thank you enough for your graciousness throughout all of this.”

They sounded like words of peace, but Grace's war hadn't ended.

Pilar wiped her eyes. “Enough of this. Our food is getting cold. Let's eat.”

Conner blessed the food, and as they ate, Pilar asked questions about Grace's position as councilwoman and about their daughters. Grace knew this was Pilar's attempt to glean as much as she could about what she thought would be her son's new family.

Then she took her turn, telling them about Solomon's accomplishments.

“We have special children,” Pilar said. She reached across the table and covered Grace's hand.

Grace looked down at the fingers so thin she could almost see the bones. She smiled but said nothing.

“Anyone want to celebrate with dessert?” Conner stood and retrieved the dessert menus the waiter had left on the table.

Pilar nodded. “Sounds terrific.”

Grace took the menu from Conner. She wasn't ready for any celebration. Not until she knew for sure. But she'd go along with Conner … for now.

She lifted her head. “I'll have the …”

At the same moment, Pilar said with her, “pumpkin cheese-cake.”

For the first time since she'd been in New York, Grace laughed.

Pilar laughed too. “Do you want to share a slice?”

Grace allowed a beat to pass. “I don't share.”

Pilar looked away. When she returned her gaze to Grace, her eyes were glazed with tears. “There is one last thing I have to tell you.” She paused. “I'd like to move to Los Angeles … to get Solomon used to everything … with me there.”

Conner took Grace's hand. “That's fine. We'll work out the details.”

Pilar's eyes moved from Conner to Grace. “I'd like to move … in a week or so.”

Grace felt her hands begin to tremble.

Conner said, “It might be better if we let Solomon finish the school year.”

“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.

C
onner 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.