Chapter Fifty-three: Tell Her The Truth

Grace’s Point of View

I just finished texting Xavier when I noticed Shiloh standing before me.

"Mom won't be back until later, will she?" Shiloh inquired.

"No, she's staying at Xavier's a while longer. Is that bothering you?" I asked.

Shiloh's eyes were fixed on me as I sipped my coffee. It seemed like she was wrestling with inner turmoil, and I couldn't help but wonder what was on her mind.

"Shiloh, is it bothering you that your mom is spending more time with Xavier instead of coming home right away?" I pressed.

“No, I’m kind of glad she isn’t. I need to talk to you about something,” Shiloh mumbled.

I patted the seat beside me and urged Shiloh to tell me what was on her mind. I wasn’t prepared for what she asked me.

“Is Aamon Brzezinski my father?” Shiloh asked.

I nearly choked on my coffee and gaped at her in utter disbelief. I must have heard her wrong. How could Shiloh possibly know who Aaman was, let alone think he was her father?

"Wait, hold on. Did you just say what I think you said?" I asked.

"I've seen him around, Aunt Grace. He's always watching us, but not in a creepy way. It's like he's protecting us," she explained, her voice trembling with emotion. "I want to know the truth, please."

I turned to face her fully, my heart breaking at the sadness on her young face.

“He’s not your father, Shiloh. Greg Ravenscroft is. Your father is a handsome, charming man who married your mother but didn’t treat her well. He divorced Rei for another, a richer woman with higher social standing, and no one has heard from him since. Please believe me when I tell you that Aamon Brzezinski is not your father,” I answered.

"Why is he constantly watching us? And why don't you seem afraid, like you were the last time I asked about him?" Shiloh pressed, her voice filled with both frustration and concern.

I carefully choose my words before answering Shiloh's question. "Aamon is someone I used to date years ago. Our relationship ended because we were in different stages of our lives." I pause momentarily before continuing, "But now, Aamon and I are back together."

I didn't want to lie to Shiloh, but I also didn't want to tell her everything just yet. She didn't need to know about the dark past that connected Aamon and me.

"That still doesn't explain why a member of the mafia is keeping an eye on us, Aunt Grace," Shiloh replied with a blank expression.

This kid was too smart for her own good. I was stuck on how to answer because, at this point, I either lied to Shiloh or told her the truth.

“Why do you want to know Shiloh? Is there a reason you are asking this now?” I asked instead of answering her question.

“Mom is finally happy. She’s smiling again, even dancing in the kitchen when she thinks no one is looking. And Mom is singing in the shower, too. Although it makes my eardrums bleed because it’s so bad, it also makes me incredibly happy because she only does that when her heart is full,” Shiloh said.

I looked at her and nodded for Shiloh to continue, knowing she needed to say more.

Shiloh's voice wavered as she confided in me, "I'm afraid that Aamon Brzezinski has been keeping tabs on us because he had, or even wanted, a relationship with Mom. But she's in love with Xavier now." She lowered her gaze as if expecting me to scold her.

"We all really like him," she added quickly, "and we don't want anyone else getting in the way of their happiness."

“I think you missed the part where I told you I was dating Aamon Brzezinski now,” I smiled gently.

“Did Salem really say that?” I asked. The youngest of Rei’s children rarely allowed himself to grow attached to anyone. He was a likeable kid but didn’t have any close friends.

“Yeah, he did,” Shiloh smiled softly as if remembering when her youngest brother wondered about the future of their mother’s relationship with Xavier Woods.

“I know that Xavier and your mother have a serious relationship and love each other very much. But where their relationship goes next is up to them,” I said.

“But, I’m curious. Do all three of you kids approve of Xavier as someone your mother chose to have a long-term relationship with?” I asked.

“He seems to care about Mom and has been kind to us, too. Am I ready for him to move in here with us? I’m not sure about that. Not yet, at least,” Shiloh shrugged.

I loved that she was open and honest with me. I wanted to tell her the truth so much, but was it fair to do that before telling Rei?

“Aunt Grace, if Aamon really is your boyfriend, can we meet him today? If he comes over for lunch, we could make him my famous grilled cheese sandwiches and smoothies,” Shiloh suggested.

I sighed deeply and stared at my niece intently, trying to determine just how bad of an idea this was.

“Please?” Shiloh pleaded.

I knew at that moment she didn’t believe me that Aamon was not her father. I would have to take a chance that this was the right thing to do.

“I’ll ask him, but if he agrees, you need to tidy up the living room, bathroom, and kitchen. Deal?” I proposed.

Shiloh nodded vigorously and raced off to tidy the areas I had asked her to tend to. I picked up my phone again, this time to text my boyfriend.

Grace: Any chance you want to come over to Rei’s place today?

Aamon: Sure! But why?

Grace: Shiloh thinks you are her father.

Aamon: What? Why would she think that?

Grace: She’s a smart kid. Shiloh knows that you’ve been watching her and the boys. I’m still trying to figure out how she knows who you are and anything about the mafia in our small town.

Aamon: But why does she think I am her father?

Grace: Probably because there has never been any involvement from extended family. Perhaps because you are part of the mafia, she believes that is why. I couldn’t get much out of her about that.

Aamon: Explaining this to Shiloh and her brothers will be hard.

Grace: She’s tidying the house and has offered to make you her famous grilled cheese sandwiches and smoothies for lunch to entice you to come.

Aamon: Text me when to come over, and I’ll be there.