Page 44 of Clashing Moon

I wanted to lie to spare her feelings, but I didn’t want to start our relationship with mistruths. “He was cruel to me when I was younger. Mostly verbal. An occasional smack across the face when I made him angry, but nothing serious. He never pushed me down the stairs, for example.”

I heard her breath catch. “Thank God.”

“He was the reason you got addicted.”

“I’ve been sober a long time now,” she said softly. “I’m proud to say so and proud of the work I did on myself. But I wish to God I’d never been prescribed those pills in the first place. Then I wouldn’t have lost you. Maybe I could have taken you away from him. We could have moved away.” The longing in her voice was palpable, a wound that had never fully healed.

“I have so many questions,” I said. “About Jacob and my brothers. Michael and Daniel.” Saying their names out loud felt a little like a prayer.

“Oh, they’re great. All grown now. Twenty-one and eighteen. They’re both at the university and live on campus, not far from here. Michael’s more like Jacob, quiet and cerebral. Daniel’s all me. Arty and sensitive.”

“And Jacob? Is he well?”

“Oh, yes. We’re very happy together. He’s my best friend. Always supportive, even during hard times. Jacob healed a lot of the wounds your father gave me. I hope that gives you comfort.”

“It does. The way he told the story—he told me you left because you didn’t want me. All these years, I’ve hated you. To know that you’ve had a good life makes… I feel a little better about believing his lies. I’m sorry I didn’t do more digging. Ask more questions.”

I heard sobs coming from the other end of the line.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you,” I said.

“No, it’s not your fault. The truth is the truth. Your father robbed me of my child. I’ll never forgive him, even though I’ve tried. As low as I got, God never gave up on me. Somehow, he reached me in my lowest moment. I was near death when I felt his presence so strongly. He wanted me to get better. He still believed in me. A few days later, I went to rehab, and I’ve stayed sober all this time.”

“I’m proud of you. It must have been hard.”

“Facing a sober life without you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. What about you, though? I want to know everything.”

“I want to tell you everything, but not over the phone. Would you want to meet in person?” I managed to ask, feeling that surge of courage I’d built up to make this call begin to waver.

“Oh my gosh, yes,” she said, her voice now bright with a new energy. “Would you like to come here? Meet your brothers and Jacob?”

I swallowed hard, a lump in my throat that hurt. “I can’t think of anything I’ve ever wanted more. I can be there tomorrow. Missoula’s about three hours away, according to my phone.”

“Tomorrow,” she repeated, sounding almost breathless. “I can’t believe this is really happening.”

“Is your address the same as the one on the cards?”

“No, we moved a few years after that to a house in the suburbs more suited to raising a family.”

A pang of jealousy struck me, but I set it aside. None of this was her choice.

She gave me the address, which I scribbled on a notepad left on the counter.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, then. I can be there around two if that’s okay?”

“That’s perfect.”

“Is it all right if I bring someone with me? I have a special man in my life, and it would mean a lot if I could bring him with me.”

“You could bring a herd of elk and still be welcome in my home.”

I smiled at the thought of a herd of elk in the suburbs. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow,” Sally said.

After I hung up, I stood staring out into the dimming light of day, amazed at the turn of events.

I couldn’t wait to tell Rafferty.

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