Chapter 12: Eli at the Edge

I carried Junie inside and sat her on the couch with a blanket around her shoulders.

My sister brought hot chocolate and then left us alone.

Junie held the mug in both hands.

I thought of every way I could say it softly, and then I thought of how Brad always said things: softly, with the real part left out.

"Yes," I said. "Eli is your half-brother."

She looked into the cocoa.

"That means you and he have the same daddy, and different mommies."

"Since when?"

"Since before you were born. Eli is a year older than you."

"Did you know?"

"No. I found out this week."

She thought about it.

"Did Daddy know?"

"Yes. He knew the whole time."

"And Eli's mommy?"

"Yes."

"And Eli?"

"Eli knew Daddy was his dad. I don't think anyone told him it was a secret until he told you."

Her face crumpled for a second, then smoothed again, which was what she had learned to do around the house.

"So that's why Daddy was always late," she said.

I put my arm around her.

"That's part of why. Daddy made choices that were wrong. They weren't because of you. Not one."