The way one eyebrow sat slightly higher than the other.
Caleb used to make that exact expression whenever he was confused.
The boy pointed at me.
“Who’s that?”
Sadie’s voice shook.
“This is Diane.”
The little boy smiled.
“Hi.”
I couldn’t answer.
I looked at Sadie.
“No.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Diane.”
“No.”
“I wanted to tell you.”
My hands began trembling.
“Tell me what?”
She looked at the little boy.
“Beau, sweetheart, can you go play with Jasper?”
He hesitated.
“Can I have crackers?”
“Yes.”
“Two?”
Sadie managed a weak smile.
“Two.”
He disappeared toward the kitchen, with Jasper following closely behind him.
I waited until he was gone.
Then I faced Sadie.
“Tell me.”
Sadie slowly sat down.
I remained standing.
“Beau is Caleb’s son.”
The room seemed to tilt beneath me.
I grabbed the back of a chair.
“What?”
Sadie wiped her face.
