“I lied when I said I’d spoken to Mom,” he admitted. “I’m with her now.”
When he hung up, I turned to him.
“Why come back now?”
“Maya’s grandmother died and left her an apartment here. We moved in last month.”
“That’s why you’re nearby. Why come to me?”
“We’ve struggled with money. I thought about asking for help.”
“Is that why you’re here?”
“I know how it looks. But Maya wanted me to contact you before we needed help. I missed you, Mom.”
Maya spoke up: “I told him we shouldn’t ask for anything until we’d explained everything.”
“She’s right,” I said. “We’ll discuss money another time.”
Julian looked down.
“When I held the twins, I imagined them disappearing one day without calling. I realized what I’d done to you.”
I took his hand.
“Then don’t make the same choice again.”
