The You I Never Knew by Susan Wiggs Read Free Book Online Page A

have. The biggest culprit is protein—damned hard to stay away from. Cheating isn’t an option, either. If the kidneys have to work extra hard, it just hastens the breakdown. I guess that’s why I’m resentful. And because I wish I was brave enough to just shoot myself rather than take a goddamned
organ
from my own child.”
    “Stop it.” Michelle was starting to worry, trying not to show it. “We already agreed it’s the right thing to do.”
    He fell silent, staring at the fire in the grate. His famous profile was illuminated by kindly soft light. He still had the charisma that made him a beloved icon in the world of film and a stranger to his family. After a while he let out a heavy sigh. “Anyway—” he clinked his glass against hers “—welcome home, long-lost daughter.”
    “I was never lost, Daddy.”
    “You stayed away a long time.”
    “You should have invited me back.”
    “Didn’t think you’d want to come.” He rubbed his cheeks, looking no less handsome than ever. Lord, the man was an android. Dorian Gray with bigger shoulders. He never seemed to age. Even sick and white-haired, he appeared tanned and fit, mature yet ageless.
    “Dad, you should have asked me to come back. Before it was too late, got too awkward.”
    “What would you have said?”
    She laughed humorlessly into the crystal highball glass. “I’d have told you to piss off.”
    “That’s what I figured.”
    They finished their drinks, and somewhere in the house a case clock struck eleven. All the things they weren’t saying to each other—about Cody, about the transplant, and now about the surprise cameo appearance of Sam McPhee—hung like cobwebs in the air between them. Why hadn’t Gavin told her the father of her child was in Crystal City?
    The prospect of an explosive, accusatory conversation held no appeal at this late hour. Without even speaking a word, they made a tacit agreement to avoid touchy subjects—for now.
    Gavin looked tired. Frighteningly tired. And she could see, hidden in the folds of his robe…
something
.
    “It’s a sac of dialysis fluid,” he said.
    Her cheeks heated. “I didn’t mean to stare.”
    “Not to worry. I don’t have much dignity left since I got sick.” He smiled, but there was a hardness in his face that gave away his fury and frustration. “The stuff in the sac flows through an abdominal shunt. Want to see?”
    “Dad, please.”
    “Okay, I apologize. I stare at it too, sometimes, like it belongs to someone else. Can’t believe my own body’s turned traitor on me.”
    They sat for long moments, sipping their drinks and watching the fire, not speaking. The silence swelled. Only in the mountains in winter, Michelle reflected, did the quiet have this all-pervasive quality.
    Suddenly she realized what she and Gavin were doing. Another battle of wills. Who would admit to being tired first? Who would make the first move?
    No more games. She yawned elaborately, stretching her arms behind her head. “The Booker’s did the trick.”
    “Guess I’ll hit the hay, too.” Gavin got to his feet. He was too good an actor to look relieved, but she figured he was. “You sleep in, now, Michelle. Since I didn’t expect you until tomorrow, I didn’t make any plans.”
    “Plans?”
    He cleared his throat. “You know… appointments.”
    “Oh.” The impending procedure was becoming more grimly real to her with each passing moment. “We can talk about that tomorrow.”
    “You got everything you need in the guesthouse?”
    “It’s fine.” She stood, feeling awkward. “Thanks for stocking the fridge.” She wondered if she should kiss him good night. Self-consciously, she lifted up on tiptoe, gave him a peck on the cheek, and let herself out the front door.
    As she crossed the silent, starlit compound, she knew she wouldn’t be sleeping in tomorrow. She had to take Cody to work at Sam’s place. She had to figure out how to tell her son who Sam was without destroying him, without