Page 121 of The Other Brother

I glance at the congregation to find Heather’s eyes on us. I fold my hands in front of me to stop the temptation.

Judy begins the ceremony, welcoming us all and explaining the purpose of a christening. I let her words wash over me, trying to keep my breathing under control.

I pull my attention back when Judy turns to Kate and Chris. “Kate and Chris, what name have you given to your child?”

Kate darts a look at Chris. She’s got this weird grimace on her face.

“Ethan Joshua Abbot Ramsey.” They both respond at the same time.

On my left, Mum hisses out a breath.

I flick a glance at her, and she’s gone white.

Is she upset because Kate isn’t using Dayton? But Kate has been Kate Abbot her entire life. Dayton is Dad’s last name. Maybe Mum was expecting Kate to include her maiden name, Hill. Which seems like a cruel and unnecessary punishment to inflict that many names on a kid.

Something has offended her anyway, that much is obvious. Great. That’s going to make the after-christening thing fun. Although let’s face it, it wasn’t ever going to be the highlight of my social calendar.

I look past Mum to see if Frank is gloating, but he’s looking equally stricken.

What the hell?

The restof the Christening goes quickly.

Cody and I manage to do our bit without messing up, promising to support Ethan in his journey through life. I continue to feel Cody’s presence, and every time he shuffles from one foot to the other, I have a surge of both hope and panic that he’ll touch me.

But for once, I’m not completely focused on Cody. I can’t help noticing that when Mum and Frank do their grandparent bit, they are both looking equally freaked-out.

Something is very wrong.

Ethan gives a loud howl when his head is dipped in water but settles after he’s back in Kate’s arms. She rocks him, moving from one foot to the other, gently shushing him.

Mum looks like she wants to join him in his howling. Crazily, Frank looks exactly the same.

Judy finishes up with a prayer.

“Heavenly Father, we thank you that by the water and the holy spirit, you have bestowed upon Ethan forgiveness of sins and have raised him to a new life of grace. Sustain him, oh Lord, with your holy spirit, give him a discerning heart and the courage to will and persevere, the spirit to know and to love you, and the joy, the gift of joy and wonder, for all your works. Amen.”

“Amen,” everyone chants.

Because Ethan’s christening is the last one, it signals the end of the service, and there’s an outbreak of babble amongst the rest of the congregation.

Our group walks back down the aisle to where Dad and Heather are both waiting on opposite sides of the pews. Kate gathers up all the baby stuff she brought.

“I need to talk to you.” Mum grabs Kate’s arm.

Kate has a resigned look on her face as she juggles Ethan in her arms. “I’m coming,” she tells Mum. She leans down and snaps Ethan into his infant carrier, then turns to Chris. “Can you handle your parents?”

Chris nods, concern etched on his face, but he moves to intercept his parents.

Kate picks up Ethan in his infant carrier and looks at Mum expectantly.

Mum hesitates, then turns to look at Frank. “You should come too,” she says. “We’ll go into one of those rooms.”

Frank doesn’t disagree, moving to follow. “I’ll be back in a moment,” he says to Cody and Heather.

“No.” Kate’s voice is firm. “Everyone should come.”

Surprisingly, Frank doesn’t disagree, just nods grimly.