He sounded almost relieved, as if one piece of information might undo the years of secrecy.

“The test says he isn’t mine,” he said.

I leaned against Laura’s kitchen counter.

“How is Liam?”

Kenneth went quiet.

“I don’t know.

Brenda hasn’t let me talk to him since the results.”

I thought of the little voice from the video call, asking to be hugged while feverish.