Truth Be Told by Victoria Christopher Murray

Chandler’s hand tighten, then slip from his shoulder. This time, there were no words of solace from his brother. Just silence. A quiet that intensified his grief.
    Conner stood and walked to the window. With his back to his brother, his words poured from him. He repeated the conversation he’d had with Pilar. “She said this happened twelve years ago,” he finished. “My son … the boy that Pilar is claiming is mine … his name is Solomon.”
    He waited for Chandler to speak, but when silence filled the room, he took a breath and turned, focusing on the space over Chandler’s shoulders. He couldn’t meet his brother’s glance. He didn’t want to see his eyes.
    â€œWell …,” Chandler began.
    It was the steadiness in that syllable that gave Conner the courage to look at him. Chandler hadn’t moved, but now his elbows rested on the arms of the chair. He tapped the tips of his fingers together in a slow, steady motion. Conner recognized the pose—his brother was in lawyer mode.
    â€œSo what does this mean? What did you tell her?”
    Conner raised his eyebrows. These weren’t the questions he expected, but they were ones he could handle. It was easier this way. Turn this disaster into business. There would be plenty of time to handle it on a personal level.
    Conner rushed to sit next to his brother. “I haven’t told her anything … not really. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
    â€œGood. You can take your time.”
    â€œThat’s not exactly true. I don’t have a lot of time.”
    Chandler’s fingers froze in mid-air. The silence didn’t hide his question.
    â€œPilar has AIDS. She doesn’t know how much time she has.”
    â€œWow.” A few moments of silence passed before Chandler said, “I’m sorry for Pilar, but this doesn’t change how you should proceed. Pilar has relatives. Someone else could take her son.”
    There was no humor in Conner’s chuckle. “That’s what I said, but apparently none of Pilar’s relatives want anything to do with a black boy. She says if I don’t take him, he’ll be alone.”
    Chandler took a deep breath. “Okay, so this is more complicated than I thought, but still we need to do the right thing.”
    â€œThat’s what scares me,” Conner said. “Suppose the right thing destroys my family?”
    â€œI take it you haven’t said anything to Grace.”
    Conner shook his head. “I can’t even imagine saying these words to her. It’s going to break her heart.”
    â€œShe’s strong, though. You can help her to understand.”
    â€œBut how can I help her understand that I hid my relationship with Pilar? While she confessed what went on with her and Drew, I kept quiet.” Conner stood and leaned over the desk. “I feel as if I’ve been lying to my wife for years. It’s like I’m a fake.”
    Conner waited for his brother to tell him that’s exactly who he was. But when Chandler stood and placed his hand on Conner’s shoulder, all he felt was his twin’s strength.
    â€œI admit this is going to be tough. But we’ll figure it out—through time and prayer.” Chandler paused. “I’ll do whatever you need me to do, but bro’, there is one thing you have to do.”
    Conner closed his eyes and nodded. His brother didn’t need to say anything more. Conner knew what Chandler meant. He had to tell Grace. He would do it tonight.

    Grace gazed out onto the courtyard. Even though she had three months before she officially took office, she planned to use the time to read through the countless city proposals and referendums. But today she’d spent hours rereading papers, unable to keep her mind from drifting.
    â€œMaybe I should just go home.”
    â€œWhat?”
    She swiveled her chair around. “Just talking to