Page 92 of Fool Me Twice

“I can tell you more. I have pictures, if you’d like to see them.”

That got his attention. “Really?” He leaned forward in his seat, straining against his seatbelt.

“At home. When we get there I’ll bring them out.”

“Okay.” He curled his legs under himself, the energy in the whole car shifting.

At home, the three of us gathered in the living room with my tablet, Sebastián on the couch between myself and Georgia. As I brought up the album, she squeezed my arm and gave me a reassuring smile.

I love you,I mouthed at her over Sebastián’s head.

“Let’s start here.” I pulled up the first photo. “This is your father and I when we were a little younger than you.”

Sebastián seized the tablet. “He looks like me.”

Georgia gasped. “Oh, wow. He really does.”

I gave Sebastián a moment to look at the image of Benicio and I playing at the beach before swiping left. “And this is us when we were teenagers.”

We spent the next hour looking at photos, sharing questions and stories. I couldn’t believe not only how receptive Sebastián was, but how excited he seemed about the whole thing.

And not angry at all.

There was definitely sadness there. I could tell it hurt him that he’d never known his parents—especially his mother, who died in a car accident only a few weeks after Sebastián’s first birthday. He didn’t hide that sadness, though. He let it out. Shared it. Moved on.

I had a lot to learn from Sebastián when it came to being human, apparently.

“Is that all?” Sebastián began swiping through the photos again.

“I have some more I can dig up. Some prints that are in storage.”

He put the tablet down, a serious look coming across his face. “I wish I’d known my mom and… that dad.”

“I know.” I rubbed his back. “I’m so sorry you never had the chance to.”

“I knew them when I was little.” His lips twisted. “I just don’t remember it.”

“And you loved them very much.” I nodded. “Just as they loved you.”

“Is it… is it strange that I love you as my dad… but I also wish I had my other dad, too?”

Tears stung my eyes. “That’s not weird at all. That’s normal.”

Georgia hugged him. “Perfectly normal. It sucks that your first set of parents aren’t here, but they would be so happy to see how well you’re doing.”

Sebastián shrugged, his head dropping. “I’m not doing well. My grades are bad. I fought at school.”

“Will you be fighting at school anymore?”

He slowly looked up. “No.”

“And will you put in more effort in class?”

He nodded eagerly.

“Then I don’t see a problem. You’re already committed to doing better. That means a great deal.”

Georgia’s gaze softened. “It sure does,” she said, looking right at me.

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