Chapter 288

• Ben turns in his seat and smiles broadly at me. “Welcome to your new life in LA, Tash.”
• The car trip from the airport to Joshua’s house is uncomfortable to say the least. My hand is in his on his lap but he is silent and pensive as he stares out the window. It is late afternoon and rain is sprinkling in a depressing way, like the mood in this car. Our moment of intimacy when Joshua saw my outfit has disappeared and with it so has my optimism. What is he thinking about? My heart is aching for my beautiful man. Neither of us know what’s going on but one thing is strikingly clear: his mother has lied to him. Deceived both him and Cameron. Which one of the boys is a Stanton? I want to comfort him and tell him it’s a big mistake and that maybe he is adopted. Or maybe that his parents used donor sperm or something due to fertility problems, but we would both know deep down that it isn’t true. The fact that she had this conversation in the past with me cements that information. I am still unsure whether I have done the right thing or whether I should have just let them work it out for themselves. It would have come out eventually; the truth always comes out. Ben turns to look at Joshua and narrows his eyes as he thinks. He knows something is going on but obviously hasn’t been told what. I’m going to try to change the subject.
• “Ben, do you care for Bridget?” I ask. Stuff it, I need a distraction and at least I will have some answers for Didge.