Decker didn’t talk, giving the kid a few moments of silence to start digesting the horrific breach of trust. Then he said, “When you spoke to your dad, did he tell you anything?”

“Nothing you didn’t already know. He knew about Atik Jains. He asked me about other men she was with. I told him I didn’t know anything, which is the truth. I mean, I don’t know that she ran off with an Indian doctor.”

Decker was quiet.

“I bet my dad’s in India right now chasing her down. Well, good luck to the both of them. Neither one is my concern anymore.”

“Why do you think that Chris is in India?”

“I dunno. I just get the feeling that he’s out of the country and knows where she is.” He looked at Decker. “I mean, do you think she’s in India?”

“I don’t know, Gabe. That’s the God’s honest truth.”

“You know, all she had to do was tell me: ‘Gabe, I’m going to India. Don’t try to find me. I’ll write to you when I can.’ All she had to do was let me know.”

“Maybe she was afraid you’d tell your father.”

“I wouldn’t tell my dad. Plus, he’d find out anyway. She didn’t have to be so dramatic.”

Rina came in with tea. “Here you go, Gabe.”

“Thank you.” He sipped the cup. “Thanks. It feels good.”

“You’re welcome.” Her eyes darted between Gabe and Decker. “It’s late. I think I’ll go to bed.”

Decker gave her a peck on the cheek. “I’ll be in soon.”

Rina mussed her husband’s hair. “If you say so.”

When she was gone, Decker said, “Gabe, I don’t know where your mother is and I don’t know why she didn’t tell you. But I think whatever it was, she probably didn’t want you to know until you’re a bit older.”

Gabe looked angry. “Why do you say that?”

“Because maybe if you find out why she left at this stage of your life, you wouldn’t be able to forgive her.”

“Wouldn’t forgive her?” Gabe laughed angrily. “What’d she do? Rob a bank? Rape a goat?” When Decker was quiet, he said, “Seriously, what could she have done that I wouldn’t forgive her? Cheat on my dad? Leave my dad? She should have done that a long time ago.”

Decker licked his lips. “Do you remember what your parents fought about when your dad beat her?”

“Of course. Chris thought she had an abortion instead of my aunt.”

“What would you say if I told you that your aunt didn’t have an abortion? That the papers weren’t your aunt’s papers but your mother’s papers.”

“No way.” Gabe shook his head. “Mom was seriously pro-life. She’d never get an abortion.”