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“One, I tasked Ivy with a difficult request. I wanted to give her all the information to make it easier. Two and more importantly, why are you speaking to me this way?”

“I’m sorry Grace. The news caught me off guard.” Larson rubbed the back of his neck before his hand fell away into his lap.

“Well, not as off guard as your reaction has caught me.”

“My apologies to you both.”

A look passed between Manny and Ivy. What the hell was going on? Larson was a man rattled. The question was, why was he so fucking rattled?

“Emmanuel dear, your father should be able to fill in some blanks. Larson, tell him more about his mother. Maybe that will help.” As Grace spoke, Larson was already shaking his head.

“There is nothing I can add that the papers didn’t contain.”

“Well, there must be someone who can help. We owe Emmanuel.”

“Owe him? Grace, you will find we gave our son an amazing life.”

“That may be true, but it is a life filled with many omissions.”

Emmanuel scoffed in disgust. “I have no idea who my biological parents are. Do you realise the information I gave my physicians while I was going through my cancer scare was inaccurate? How could you not have told me then?”

A sob escaped Grace. “I was so worried it never crossed my mind. Emmanuel, I promise you we will do everything we can to get you answers.” Grace snapped her fingers. “We will start with Chester Ellison. He has to be able to fill in some of the pieces.”

“Grace, dear, we can try, but Chester is in a home. From what I heard, the man can barely remember his own name.” Well, wasn’t Larson… helpful? If the look on Emmanuel’s face was any indication, he felt the same mistrust that Ivy was feeling.

“Darn it! Emmanuel, we will come up with something.”

At least his mom gave a damn.

“I appreciate it, Mom. Really, I do.”

As they talked, Grace asked them to stay for dinner.

“Not today, Mom. We will take a rain check.”

“I understand.” Grace uttered those words, but her mannerism betrayed her. A blanket of sadness covered her features.

“It’s been a long day for both of us. Ivy and I are going to head out now.”

Manny stood, bringing Ivy with him. Her in-laws did the same. The walk back to the entrance was quiet. The air was heavy with revelations and, more importantly, with what was not said. Ivy was certain what they had learned so far was the tip of the iceberg.

The goodbyes were short. While they didn’t contain the same frost their arrival did, it was far from warm. They were halfway out the door when Emmanuel stopped, released Ivy’s hand, turned around and drew Grace into his embrace. It was brief, but it seemed to be just what the older woman needed.

“I’m sorry, Sweetheart.”

“We will work this out, Mom.” Manny nodded at his mother, reclaimed Ivy’s hand and left. Ivy couldn’t help but notice the same olive branch wasn’t extended to her father-in-law. Not that she blamed Manny. Larson’s visit, coupled with his recent reactions, was beyond suspicious.

Their ride home was decidedly different. Emmanuel had a lot to say. “Doc, thank you for pushing me to confront my parents.”

“I didn’t mean to push you.” Ivy apologised.

Manny patted her knee. “Hey, pushing isn’t a bad thing. I needed to address the adoption with my parents. In some ways, I feel much better having spoken to my parents.”

“In other ways?” She prompted.

“My dad is full of shit. He is hiding things. I’m going to get to the bottom of it all. My next move will be to expose his ass. I just hope the fallout doesn’t hurt my Mom.”

It was then that Ivy told him about Larson’s visit.

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