Not one he could give in front of them.
His fiancée stared at him.
“You told me you had never had children.”
“I didn’t think I did.”
She shook her head.
“That’s different from never being told.”
For the first time since arriving, I almost felt sorry for him.
Almost.
PART 3: What Eleanor Had Been Told
Eleanor finally invited us inside.
The children gathered near the enormous Christmas tree while the adults tried to continue conversations that had clearly lost all importance.
After several minutes, Eleanor approached me.
Her voice was softer than I remembered.
“Cecily, I need to ask you something.”
“Go ahead.”
“Why didn’t you contact me?”
I stared at her.
“I did.”
She blinked.
“No. You didn’t.”
“I called your home twice. I emailed you. I sent a letter.”
Eleanor slowly lost all color in her face.
“I received nothing.”
Conrad stepped closer.
“Mom, don’t do this.”
