Page 51 of Until You

I think about keeping this contained. Giving her time. Letting the information exist in this small fluorescent-lit room before it expands into the rest of my life.

Mimz never does anything quietly. Mimz, who told me oh wonderful, you’re both here with a knowing gleam in her eye that I’ve been unsuccessfully pretending not to understand.

I type it before I can change my mind.

Me: I need to tell y’all something and I need you not to lose your minds.

Three dots appear simultaneously.

Kelsie: Oh God.

Payton: Oh, this is going to be good.

Addison: Just say it, Oliver.

Me: Do y’all remember me mentioning a girl from Ace’s a few months back? I only told Henry, but I know there are no actual secrets with you lunatics.

Me: Cora is her.

Silence.

Three full seconds of absolute silence, which in Blankenship sibling communication is the equivalent of a full minute.

Then—

Kelsie:

Kelsie: THE truck girl??

Payton: WAIT

Payton: WAIT WAIT WAIT

Addison: I’m sorry, are you saying that Mimz and Pops’ caretaker is the woman you slept with at Ace’s three months ago?

Me: Yes. But we did not sleep together AT Ace’s. Let’s get that straight, please.

Kelsie: Oliver.

Me: I know.

Kelsie: OLIVER.

Me: I KNOW.

Addison: So that means…

Payton: This is the best thing that has ever happened in this family, and I am including the time Uncle Graham drove the tractor into the creek.

Addison: Payton, this is not funny.

Payton: I’m not laughing!! I’m delighted!! There’s a difference!!

Kelsie: Okay, so she’s at the hospital

Kelsie: And she has low iron

Kelsie: And you said everything is okay