"You look like him," John says. "Not in an obvious way. I've seen pictures of your mom, and you guys are peas in a pod, but there's something about you that's the same as him. The darkness in your eyes… this bit of your brow where you frown. You have the same serious expression. It's like seeing pieces of him hiding under your skin."
He has no idea how much of my dad is under my skin, or rather the absence of my dad. The baby inside my belly grows because of the argument we had in the past and how it's made me feel. Maybe it'll be a boy who looks just like his grandfather. Stranger things have happened.
"Why did you get stuck doing this with me?"
"When there are eleven of you in a family, you each get known for a certain characteristic. I'm the one who's good with people. I seem to have an ability to see them and understand what's going on under the surface. Dad said it was my super strength."
"So, what do you think is going on under my surface?"
A flicker of a smile ghosts over his lips. "I don't think I need to tell you, Maggie. I think you know already."
"You're probably right."
"We know all our own secrets," John says. "Some we just choose not to accept."
"That's deep."
"And that's why I'm here." John squeezes my hand, and then he does something that I'm really not expecting. He tugs me toward him, holding me gently against his warm, hard body. "It's going to be alright, you know."
And in the comfort of his arms, I believe it for a second. He's so tall that my face is pressed against his heart that beats with slow intense thuds, his smell a soft fragrance of fresh linen that soothes my jangled nerves. This should feel weird and uncomfortable, but surrounded by the scent of my father, it just feels safe.
We work for an hour, sorting trash and placing Dad's precious things into keepsake boxes.
When my phone rings, I decide that it will be best for me to take a break. Danna's calling, and I'm pretty sure it'll be best for our conversation to remain private.
10
"Maggie!" Danna squeals when I answer the call. I close the door to my borrowed bedroom.
"Danna."
"I'm so sorry about your dad," she says. "It must be a difficult time for you. I wasn't sure if I should call."
Why does everyone state the obvious? I guess it's hard to find things to say when you really don't know what will make someone not feel terrible. "Yeah… it's been a shock, but I'm happy you called."
"I'm so happy you're back in town. It's been too long. We… well, I wanted to reach out before, but it was hard to know if it would upset people. Family politics are so shitty."
"Yeah," I say. "It's been too long."
"Uncle Walter told my dad he dropped you at the house. Did you meet all the boys yet?"
Boys isn't the right word for them. Not in the slightest. My foster brothers are all men through and through. But Danna is older than me, and maybe her men are too.
"Yeah. They've been really nice."
"I'm sure they have been. A beautiful young girl under their roof. Why the hell wouldn't they be?"
"Because I'm a stranger. Because Dad left it to me to clear out his possessions like I'm the prodigal daughter. Because I could disrupt their home."
Danna snorts. "That's how women think, not men. They'll just be thinking about your ass in bed shorts."
I snort. The image she's spun is probably a lot more accurate than mine. "True."
"So, can we meet? I'd love you to come up here so that I can introduce you to everyone."
"By everyone, do you mean your ten men?"
Danna chuckles. "I had a pretty good idea that Walter would tell you all about that. I've been the talk of the family since I moved to Broadsville." I love that Danna sounds amused at the gossiping about her rather than upset. I guess she's had a chance to get used to that.
"I think news like that is hard to keep to yourself. I'm still reeling," I admit.
"Why? Didn't you think I had it in me?"
"I haven't seen you in years. We were kids when we were last in contact. If I'd imagined your sex life at that point, I think it would have been weird."
"That is true. So will you come? I can message you the address. It's not hard to find. It won't take you too long to get here."
For a moment, I consider whether it will be rude to leave this house before I've had a chance to spend any time with my foster brothers. I'm supposed to be fulfilling my dad's last wishes, but Danna is family, and I haven't seen her for years. Plus, there are so many questions that I want to ask her about her setup. Questions that will help me get to grips with how to approach this situation and these men.