“What happened?” I asked dazedly. “Things quickly deteriorated with the boy, but I refused to abort the baby. Five years before you were born, I had a son who I gave up for adoption.” A brother. I had a half-brother somewhere out in the world. It was inconceivable. “Does Dad know?” She smiled. “Yes, your father knew from the beginning. That was never an issue, and while I think about the child sometimes, I know he was better off with parents who could care for him properly. I was a junior in high school and totally unprepared to be a mother.” She paused and lifted her eyes to mine. “The reason I tell you this is so you’ll know why I’ve been so overbearing. Those years after I gave him up were the hardest of my life. I desperately wanted to protect you from the pain I endured, but I’m start
