His father looked back, his eyes trying to tell her something, but Mitch didn’t know what it was.

“I should’ve told you.” She hung her head. “I was afraid you’d change your mind about me. I—I’m sorry.”

Ken shifted in his seat. “What was my father’s name?”

“Ethan.” June sniffled. “Ethan Swenson.”

“His name’s not on the certificate.”

“No.” She raised her head. “I refused to tell them. He didn’t deserve any part in it.”

Ken was opening his mouth to ask more questions when Mitch caught his eye and shook his head. There’d been enough questions already.

June looked around the table at each person. “Forgive me. All of you.”

Rand rose from the table and paused, the lines on his face deep as trenches. Then he left the kitchen.

“Dad,” Mitch called.

“Leave him alone.” June motioned for Mitch to stay where he was. “He’s right to be upset.”

Mitch remained in his chair, but his heart hung heavy in his chest. The front door creaked open and slammed shut. He couldn’t remember ever seeing his father angry at his mother. They’d always had such a strong bond. Always presented such a united front. It felt wrong to witness this distance between them.

“Now.” June nodded at Ken, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “Tell me everything.”

Bea listened to Ken’s life story with rapt attention. She was delighted to learn she had five cousins, ranging in age from four years old to seventeen. Ken had not gotten married and started a family at such a young age as Dad.

Grandma June hung on every word, laughing or crying at every detail Ken shared. He insisted several times that he’d had a good life, that his parents loved him. He flipped through pictures on his phone and told Grandma the names of her other grandchildren over and over, which she struggled to keep straight.

As his story wrapped up, Jeremy asked one of the questions that had been on Bea’s mind, as well. “How long have you been looking for us?”

“I didn’t even know I was adopted until about five years ago when my dad had a heart attack.” Ken slid his phone back in his pants pocket. “He told me everything before going in for double bypass surgery. In case he didn’t make it out.”

Bea’s eyes widened. “Did he?”

Ken smiled. “Yes. Thankfully. But his surgery made me face the fact my parents wouldn’t be around forever. Got me wondering how long I had before I missed my chance to meet my biological parents. It wasn’t long after that I decided to start searching. I registered on that adoption website about two years ago.”

Grandma June stared at his face as if memorizing it. Or as if she’d known it all along.