There was no paternity result yet. That would take time.
But Dawson had included a brief summary from a call he’d received from Ashley’s attorney.
Ashley had left the clinic separately from
Ryan.
She had gone to her sister’s apartment.
Ryan had tried to follow.
Nicole had confronted her in the parking garage.
Their mother had demanded Ashley explain “what kind of woman deceives a family.”
It was all so predictable that I felt tired instead of satisfied.
For years, they had excused Ryan’s lies when those lies hurt me.
Now that one of his lies might embarrass them, they were outraged.
My phone rang at 9:42 p.m.
Ryan.
I let it ring.
Then again.
Then Nicole.
Then Ryan’s mother.
Then an unknown number.
I turned the phone face down.
A minute later, a voicemail appeared.
Against my better judgment, I played it.
Ryan’s voice filled the quiet balcony.
