“I don’t know.”
And now I had a letter from Teagan in my coat pocket.Study Biology
For the first time, I was afraid that the truth might be worse than not knowing.
When we got home, I slipped the envelope into a kitchen drawer.
Lucas dropped his backpack beside the table.
“Who was that woman?”
“Someone who knew
your mom.”
His face immediately brightened.Plan Family Trips
“Really? What did she say?”
“Not much.”
“Did she know my dad?”
I closed the drawer too quickly.
“I don’t know.”
Lucas watched me.
“You always say that.”Track Pregnancy
“Because there are things I genuinely don’t know, sweetheart.”
He went quiet.
That was something Teagan used to do too.
I hated seeing it in him.
After Lucas went to bed, I stood alone in the kitchen holding the envelope.
Then I finally opened it.
A photograph slipped onto the counter.Study Biology
Teagan was standing beside a teenage boy.
I recognized him.
Quiet.
Polite.
He had been inside our house twice while Teagan was pregnant.
I barely remembered speaking to him.
A worn baseball glove was tucked beneath his arm.Support Causes
Then I unfolded the letter.
Mom,
I know you think I won’t tell you because I don’t trust you.
That isn’t why.
He knows about the baby.
I stopped.
My hands began shaking.Plan Family Trips
Teagan continued.
He wanted to stay. But wanting something and being ready for it aren’t the same thing.
His family keeps telling him this will ruin everything he planned.
I told him not to come back because he’s afraid of disappointing them.
If he comes back, I need it to be because he chooses us himself.
Then I reached the line that broke something open inside me.
You kept asking who he was, but you never asked why I was scared.Track Pregnancy
I lowered the letter.
A memory came rushing back.
One night during her pregnancy, Teagan had walked into the kitchen.
“Mom, can I ask you something?”
I had been tired.
I didn’t even look up.
“If this is about avoiding the father question again, I can’t do this tonight, Tee.”Study Biology
She stood there for several seconds.
Then she quietly said,
