Page 28 of Close Match
“What was it?” My gut’s churning. It could be anything. Maybe Veronica went to the press with my parentage after I confronted her. Shit, why didn’t I think of that? Mentally berating myself for not talking with Sepi about it, I miss the first part of what Bristol’s saying. Tuning in, I catch her midsentence.
“…it was just like the others except for the words after. That’s when I woke up Simon to make sure I wasn’t seeing things.” Her fingers are like a vice on mine.
“What are you talking about, Bris? What was just like the others?” I’m so confused.
Letting go of one of my hands, she brushes a piece of hair that got loose from the knot on my head away from my face. “You got an email to the dummy account, sister. It said ‘DNA confirmed: Close Match.’ When I looked at the profile of the person, their name is Rhett Parrish. Linnie, he’s the right age.”
I start hyperventilating.
Is this possible?
Did I find my father?
“What the hell do I do?” My heart’s thumping erratically.
“Read this and tell me if this works before I hit Send.” Bristol lets go of my hands, and I wish she wouldn’t. I want her to hold on to me. She’s the only thing that’s real right now, something honest and true.
I don’t know this Rhett Parrish. He’s nothing more than a name in an email. No, that’s a lie, and I refuse to tell more of them than I have to. Especially than to myself. He’s the genetic reason for half the cells in my body. Taking an enormous breath, I read what she wrote.
Mr. Parrish,
My name is Lynn Brogan. If you’re the ‘Rhett’ identified in my mother’s, Elle Brogan, diary that I found upon her death earlier this year, then it may be possible I am your biological daughter. This is something I was…
Seventeen
Montague
…Iwas not aware of until that time. I am not sure if you had any knowledge of this information before now as well. If you didn’t, I apologize for the shock this must be causing you as well.
As far as I can piece things together, thirty-four years ago, you met my mother when she was on a break from her long-standing boyfriend. They reconciled shortly after your affair; married soon after that.
You may wonder why my mother and I use her maiden name. At the time you knew her, she had just established a communications firm out of New York City. She was successful at the venture, and I followed into the family business. In doing so, I elected to use her name professionally, although my birth certificate does carry that of the man I thought was my biological father.
I am not trying to intrude on your life, Mr. Parrish. Since my stepfather died early of cancer and my mother recently passed due to undetected heart issues, and the recent discovery about my actual parentage, my half-sister and I decided to have a DNA test performed to identify any medical concerns we could preemptively address.
It led me to you.
I expect nothing from you, but I do hope you may be able to provide me with some medical background for me to be able to ensure my good health and good health to any future children I may have.
With my best regards,
Lynn Brogan
My mother’s voice trails off. I toss my head back and finish the drink I poured myself the minute I entered Ev’s study after they called me down at the barn to tell me he had a close match. Without a word to the groom I had been talking with, I charged down the path so fast, I thought I was going to be sick.
“Holy crap. You have a daughter.” I blurt the first thing that comes to mind.
“That about sums up how I’m feeling.” Ev scrubs his hands over his face. He’s sitting on the edge of the desk near my mother. He’s pale, but I’m not worried it has anything to do with his illness. Pure shock is etched across his features.
“Do you remember her mother?” I ask. Reaching for my mother’s hand, he nods.
“I met Elle in a bar in Chicago when I was in my late twenties. I was out there for a conference; she said she was too. It was right after I’d come up with the code and the company was about to go public.” Ev’s eyes take on a faraway look. Mom goes to stand behind him, not letting go of his hand. “Elle had no idea which button on a computer turned it on.” His voice is amused. “She had long dark hair and bright blue eyes. I remember her being very artsy, almost bohemian. Uninhibited. The first time I saw her, she got up on stage and blew the doors off the place singing karaoke. I introduced myself right after.”
Mom laughs. “Did your amazing singing voice impress or scare her?” I relax subtly, realizing this isn’t going to cause even further strain on them than what they’re already facing.
Ev grins. “I didn’t get the chance to do either. I scratched my name off the list. You know,” he says thoughtfully, “hearing you read that Elle ran a successful communications company astounds me, to be honest. She didn’t give the impression of being all that business savvy.” Ev’s astounded.
“So, there was no concern about corporate espionage?” I wonder aloud.
