“The difference is,” Frieda said, “that it is still deception. And in the back of my mind, I always knew there was a piece of me missing because of my deception. If I had admitted the truth to him—to everyone—I would have been a much more complete person a long time ago.”

Decker said, “Mrs. Levine, that being the case, why didn’t you ever try to contact me? I was on the list from the American Adoptees Association. You could have reached me anytime you wanted. Why didn’t you?”

“I was so afraid, Akiva,” Frieda said. “Afraid of what people would think. So superficial a reason, but this was the case. And I was very afraid of your rejection.”

There was a moment of silence.

“Do you forgive me, Akiva?” Frieda said. ‘Do you forgive my cowardice?”

“There’s nothing to forgive—”

“Yes, there is something to forgive. Please forgive me.”

“If you want me to forgive you, I forgive you.”

“Akiva,” Frieda said, “if you cannot accept me as family, will you accept me as a friend? If not for me, for my children. They deserve the privilege of your friendship.”

Decker paused a long time. “I like your children very much. I really do. But…” He hesitated again. “Mrs. Levine, this is hard for me too. I’m sorry but I don’t think I can have a normal friendship relationship with your children.”

“They’re your blood, Akiva. And your daughter…she’s my blood, as well.”

“But your children are not my brothers and sisters in the true sense. And they never can be because of the nature of the beast. This built-in secret. As far as my daughter goes…I don’t know. Maybe…maybe one day. But not right now. And if I’m being selfish, so be it. Mrs. Levine, it would be best all around if we let sleeping dogs lie.”

Frieda lowered her head. “What if I told my children? Not my husband, I couldn’t do that, but my children…they could handle the truth.”

“No, don’t do that,” Decker said. “Please, don’t do that. I’m not ever coming back to Brooklyn, so why even start? What purpose would it serve? You’re a religious woman. What would Ezra think? What would your daughters think? Why should they think badly of you? And then what would happen if your husband accidentally found out? Why deal with all this…this garbage at such a late date? You’ve made peace with me. Go make peace with God. And don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re a good woman who made a mistake. I, for one, am very glad you did.”

Frieda swallowed back a lump in her throat. She took his hand and kissed it, holding it, feeling its warmth. Decker took her hand and kissed it as well, patting it, then returning it to her lap.