I laughed.
“Please never say that again.”
She covered her mouth.
I looked at Emily.
“Did you know about the affair?”
“Not until after he got sick.”
My eyes moved back to Susan.
“What did she think when she saw him?”
“That he was my father,” Emily said. “And your husband.”
That simple answer made me feel unexpectedly protective of her.
She had spent years being asked to hold a contradiction adults created.
Michael continued living with me.
Susan continued being my best friend.
Emily knew just enough to understand that speaking carelessly could destroy people.
Sixteen-year-olds should not have to manage adult secrets.
“How often did you see him?” I asked.
“Maybe once every month or two. More after I went to college.”
“Did you come to our house?”
“Never knowingly.”
Susan looked at me.
“One time when she was little, you met her.”
My stomach dropped.
“What?”
“School fundraiser.”
