Page 63 of Shattered

I lean against the railing of the boat and think over all of our conversations. I come up empty handed until my dreams of Katie pop into my head: her mom and dad fighting. A guy named Josh asking for money. River’s story about showing up asking his dad for money.

Then another memory pops into my head. One I hadn’t thought about in years.

Katie falls onto her bed next to me. There is something wrong with her. She looks angry or sad or something.

“I know the secret, Jo.”

“What secret?” I ask, suddenly intrigued.

“What my mom and dad were fighting about that day. Why things have been weird between them for a while now.”

“What? What is it?”

Her eyes fall to her hands, watching as she twists her fingers together. “I have a half-brother.”

I feel my eyes grow wide. “What?”

She nods. “My dad got some lady pregnant before he and my mom got together. He gave her money to get rid of it. Apparently, he went all this time not knowing that she never did. She had the baby. I have a half-brother out there. Can you believe it?” Her eyes are wide, excited and yet, still completely unsure.

“Oh my God. This is crazy!”

“I know. His name is Josh. He’s the guy that showed up asking for money. My dad was so shocked when he showed up at the house, he turned him away before we came home. I guess he got in contact with his old flame and found out that she kept the baby. My dad broke the news to my mom over lunch that day and she stormed out. That’s why they were fighting.”

I’m in shock right now. Mary and George had always seemed like the perfect couple to me. Up until recently that is. But I never imagined George having a secret love child.

“So what now? What’s going to happen?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. My dad finally told me about it all. He asked if I wanted to meet him, but I don’t know if I can.”

“Why? He’s your brother.”

“This whole thing has caused so much grief with us. It’s like we’re not even the same family anymore.”

I pull her in for a hug, rubbing her back. “That’s not his fault, Katie. He’s innocent in all this. He didn’t have a dad growing up, then he shows up and gets turned away. Can you imagine what he must be thinking right now?”

She pulls back. “I just need time to get used to the fact that I have a brother out there. But, you know, you’re right. I’ll call him soon and set up a time to meet.”

I nod. “I completely understand. It’s a lot to take in. Call him, when you’re ready.”

“Jovi,” River’s voice pulls me away from my memory.

I shake my head. “River, what’s your middle name?”

He flexes his jaw before saying, “River is my middle name.”

I cover my mouth with my hand as tears fill my eyes. “Josh?”

He nods, tears filling his own eyes, but he doesn’t let them fall.

15

TIME TO RUN

My feet start backing away from him on their own. “I don’t understand.”

“Please, just let me explain.” He steps closer to me, but I step away.

“You’ve been lying to me. This whole time?” My voice is high pitched and I feel betrayed. I turn away, I can’t look at him.

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