Page 89 of Outside Looking In

“Are you sure you’re all good with keeping the farm?” Liam asked. “If you want to move, if you need that money, I will do it. I would do anything for you.”

Liam didn’t know where Mark found the strength to hold it together. Maybe it was instinctual as the oldest brother and as a father. It was in his blood to take care of those he loved. Just like their dad.

Mark hooked him into a hug.

“Every time I see you out here, working with the sheep, it’s like a piece of Mum and Dad are still alive. And besides, Wellington sucks.”

* * *

At family dinner,the table was quiet. Liam couldn’t imagine what his brother was going through, finding out that Mariel had a child on the side, or his niece and nephew who now had a new brother.

“Franny, would you like to say the prayer tonight?” Mark asked.

Franny bowed her head. “Dear Lord, we thank you for this bounty and your blessings. If you do have time, could you please help my Uncle Liam stop being a Mopey Martha? Thank you.”

“What?” Liam whipped his head up.

“Uncle Liam, you need to get out of this funk,” she said, as if he were merely upset about spilled milk or a rainy day.

“It’s more than a funk. It’s not a funk!” Liam said.

“It’s a funk,” Mark said as he cut slices of meatloaf.

“How are you all not in a funk? Twenty-four hours ago, you found out that you have a brother and that your mother…you were walloped with new information.”

“It’s like when I get new shoes,” Walt said.

Liam clanged his fork onto his plate. “This whole situation is like getting a new pair of shoes? Please elaborate.”

“New shoes give me blisters at first, and they feel weird and uncomfortable, but then they feel good.”

“We’re very surprised, but you’re the only one who’s upset.” Franny pointed an accusatory spoonful of mashed potatoes at him.

He looked to his brother for backup. “She’s right,” Mark said.

Et tu, brother?

“Nathan lied to us! Pathologically. Nothing he told us about himself was the truth. He came here under false pretenses and weaseled his way into our hearts.”

His family gave him all double-takes. The kids laughed.

“I didn’t mean hearts. You know what I mean!” He slapped a heap of mashed potatoes onto his plate. For show, only. “He lied.”

Walt pointed his fork at him. “Javert!”

Liam cocked his head at him.

“What would you have had Nathan do?” Franny asked. “Come here and say ‘Hello, I’m your mum’s secret child that she kept from you for twenty-two years. May I come in?’”

Liam missed when his niece and nephew worshipped him and never questioned anything he did or said. Why did kids have to grow up?

“Aren’t you mad at your mum? Your wife?” He looked straight at Mark.

The table got quiet. Liam had an upper hand he didn’t want.

“It’s hard to hold a grudge with someone who isn’t…” Mark cleared his throat. “I know that despite her secrets and despite what happened, she loved me. She loved us.” Mark leaned over the table, closer to his brother. “People are gray, Liam.”

“It’s not the same as Kelly,” Franny said. He would forever think her too young to talk about this. “Kelly lied to trick you. Nathan lied to get closer to us.”