Page 402 of His Hungry Wolf

As the day approached evening, we took a walk through the scenic town. No longer able to resist, I linked our arms. I had an explanation ready if he asked why I had. He never did. It almost made me think he liked holding me as much as I did him. Almost.

“Hey, isn’t that one of those DNA testing places?” I asked spotting a new storefront between the candle shop and antique store.

“You mean where they test your DNA to find out where your ancestors came from?”

“Or, find a long-lost brother,” I suggested remembering what he had told me on the drive from school.

Titus froze looking at me.

“I mean, if you want to. I just thought that if your mother doesn’t want to tell you anything about him, you might be able to find him on your own.”

Titus turned towards the business’s door and stared at it.

“Do you think that’s something you might want? If you don’t, we could keep walking. I was just thinking…”

“No. It’s a good idea,” he said not moving.

“Did you want to go in? It’ll be my treat,” I suggested unsure what I should do.

“What if I find out something about my dad that I don’t like?” he asked breaking his silence.

“How so?”

“I mean, you know how I told you that my father was a pilot who got shot down during the Iraq war?”

“Yeah.”

“What if that’s not true?”

“What do you mean? Did your father not get shot down over Iraq?”

“That’s what my mother has always told me.”

“You think she might be lying?”

“What if she just said that to stop me from asking questions about him?”

“You don’t believe her?”

Titus turned to me. “Doesn’t that sound a little too good to be true? Doesn’t every kid who never knew their father wish they were a pilot and war hero?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted honestly. “So, do you think she also lied about you having a brother?”

“I don’t think so. How would telling me my father had a kid with someone else benefit her? That’s just inviting more questions. ‘Who is it? What does she know about him? Why did she keep this from me my whole life?’”

“Maybe there’s a reason why,” I suggested. “If you don’t want to know it, then maybe you’re not ready. She just dropped this on you. Maybe you need more time to process it.”

“No,” Titus said abruptly.

“No, you don’t need more time?”

“No, I think I should take the test.”

I squeezed his arm. “You know that you might not get any matches at all, right?”

“I know. But, if there’s a chance I could find my brother, how could I not do it?”

“I’m here for you whatever you want to do,” I reminded him not wanting to push him any further.