“In Marquette,” I say. My teeth chatter, and my stomach feels like it’s turning inside out. “At a coffee shop. And, um, my uncle? James? He invited me to live at his place, rent-free. It’s a really nice place. He’s like this genius jack-of-all-trades kind of—”

She cuts me off. “You’re staying with a stranger?”

“Not a stranger. My dad’s brother. He’s family. My uncle, Mom,” I repeat. Even I still can’t believe it sometimes. “I met my uncle and my great-grandma, and they’re wonderful. I want to get to know them. I need to know them. Did you know Betty has purple hair? Really purple, not like old-lady lavender? Like how amazing is that? And Uncle James is the worship leader at his church—”

My mom’s laugh is harsh in my ear. “Yeah, well, your father was a worship leader, too. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for morality.”

I’m pulled up short. “What is that supposed to mean?” I whisper, eyeing Micah, who has frozen in place. “Did he attack you? Mom? Did Andrew hurt you?”

She is silent a beat. The longest beat of my entire life before, “No. He didn’t. We were impulsive and led by our hormones, but I was consenting.”

I slump, relieved. “Then, I don’t get it. It took two of you to make me. It wasn’t only Andrew’s fault.”

“I don’t really feel like talking about this with you, Meg. Maybe when you’re older. Or married.”

My mouth flaps open. “Are you serious? Even now, knowing all I know about how I came to be, you’re going to refuse to be real with me? It’s called sex, Mom. You had it. You weren’t married. It’s okay. Why can’t you just tell me you don’t regret it because it gave you me? Why do you have to be such a martyr?”

“Why do you insist on knowing the sordid details?”

My nostrils flare, and I surge to my feet. “I don’t want details, Mom, I want answers! I want the truth! I want you to tell me that sex isn’t scary and dangerous and sinful and that I’m not sullied for some husband I’ve never met just because I bought a two-piece and wore it cliff jumping!”

“You went cliff jumping?”

“Never mind. We’re not ready to talk yet. I just wanted to check in and tell you I’m safe and I’ll be staying for a while.”

“That’s not a good idea, Meg. Come home, please. You can get a job here. The church is hiring someone to answer phones in the afternoons. You’d be great at that.”