Page 62 of Child of Mine

“I’ve just never heard you talk about anything this way before.”

“Well, she’s a pretty special kid. But I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing, and really, it’s not fair. Bella’s had years to figure her out while I’m jumping on a moving train.”

“I think it’s time to call Mom. She’ll have some good ideas.”

“You’re probably right, but—”

“Besides, I’m seeing her tomorrow, so I can’t guarantee—”

“Yeah, yeah.” I check the clock. Already eight. I haven’t had dinner yet, but my mom’s generation believes it’s rude to call after nine o’clock unless there’s an emergency. “I’ll do it now.”

“Love you, ya lug.”

“Love you too, stinky.”

Three laps around the couch, and I’ve worked up the courage to call my mom.

She answers on the first ring. “Henry. What’s the matter?”

“Uh, nothing. Well, I do have some news.”

“Something to warrant a weeknight call? Must be big news.”

“It is.” Now that I’ve got her on the phone, I realize I should’ve written out what to say. “Pretty big news.”

“Well, what is it? Long distance is expensive, and it’s almost bedtime.”

“So, well…” Yep, definitely should’ve written something down.

“You’re not sick, are you?”

“No, no. Nothing like that. It’s just a big surprise. Well, it was to me, and it probably will be to you too.”

“Good lord, Henry. Spit it out.”

Here goes.“I found out that I have a daughter.”

Silence on the other end of the line, so I continue. “Up here. In Boston.”

“How in the world did that happen? You’ve never been to Boston.”

“The mother is someone I knew in New York. Right before I came home.” Swerving past the details to avoid talking about sex or my dad’s death, I plow ahead. “When she found out she was pregnant, she didn’t have any way to get in touch with me because I’d moved.” I quickly explain that Bella moved back here and how we ended up working together. I skip the part where Bella didn’t tell me at first, because I don’t want my mom to think poorly of her. “I just met her for the first time Tuesday. My little girl, I mean.”

I hear a sniffle on the other end of the line. “What’s her name?”

“Delilah. But they call her Lilah.”

“Lilah. That’s beautiful.” A swell of emotion rides her voice, so I just let her absorb the news for a moment.

“She’s Jill at age five or six—looks-wise anyway. She’s one of a kind, personality-wise.”

My mom clears her throat. “I’m coming up there. I need to meet her.”

“I want you to, Mom, but I think we have to take it slowly. It seems like she’s a bit… wary of me.”

“I hope you’re not being too gruff with her.”

“I’m doing my best,” I grumble.

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