Page 81 of Wrap Around

My heart lurches. "You think she knows…"

"It's possible. I have a strong feeling my father had his suspicions."

I think back to all the expectations Pastor Shepherd had for his children. The hours they spent in prayer, often on a daily basis. The fasting. The way Gideon's knees would look gnarled after long periods of reflection. He never told me what the rice was for, only that he was learning to be more disciplined in his obedience to God. It always threw me off how he acted like it was normal, or necessary. At the time, I figured it was better than being hit, but now I'm not so sure.

"I really, really don't like it, but It's Lily's choice if she wants to go back and help."

Gideon grunts.

"She's a big girl who can make her own decisions. And I'll be able to join her in a week."

"Don't bother. I'm going with her."

"Does she know that?"

"She's about to. I just left Coach's office, and I'm headed home to pack."

"I'm sure Coach wasn't too happy about it, but I'm glad he gave you the time." Add being contractually obligated to fulfil the remaining schedule for Calgary to the list of things I've felt guilty about since signing. He doesn't reply, and the line gets quiet. "Gideon," I say his name softly, apologetically even, hoping he'll talk to me.

"I know," he says. "Me too. But we have bigger issues right now."

I think we could spare a few minutes to get some basic apologies out of the way, but I don't push. Those two are under enough stress without me challenging them at every turn. "When I get there–"

"I told you, I've got this. I'll go with her, hopefully hurry things along or at least make sure it's actually even necessary for her to be there. Otherwise, we're getting the fuck out the first chance we can."

"It's her choice, Gid–"

"While I'm there I'm going to do a little investigating, too."

"Investigating?"

"I'm going to try to find out who Addy's father is."

"Me.I'mAddy's father," I say sharply.

Gideon sighs sharply. "Yes, I know that. You know what I mean. Her birth father, or whatever."

"She doesn't want us to know, Gideon. She's made that clear."

"Do you not care that whoever knocked her up took advantage ofher? You realize that someone had to have sex with her to make that baby happen, right?"

"Obviously, Gideon. But she said it wasn't like that, and we need to respect her right to privacy. It's none of our business."

"She's my sister, and your wife."

"And? She's a strong, smart person capable of making her own decisions."

"But was she always?"

"What does that even mean?" My voice raises enough that it echoes off the walls of my hotel room.

"Lily fully admitted that she didn't know anything back then, right?"

"Yeah…"

"Well, how do we know that this guy didn't? It could have been anyone, Silas."

"When she's ready to tell us, she will."