CHAPTER 9: 9. A Choice at Seventeen
I asked the twins whether they wanted to continue. They exchanged the glance they had shared since infancy, the silent one that always meant they were deciding together. “We’re done asking him questions,” Miles said. Jonah folded the paper. “We wanted him to know who we are. Now he does.” Grant looked alarmed. “Wait. We should talk about seeing each other.” “Maybe,” Jonah replied. “But not because you saw us win something.” Parker’s eyes filled. He stood and addressed the twins. “Could I write to you? Not through him. Just me.” Miles hesitated. “You can email us through Mom first.” I appreciated that they understood boundaries even while their emotions were raw. Celeste wrote down an address, but I did not promise contact. The boys were seventeen, old enough to have preferences and still young enough to need protection. Outside the conference room, an organizer announced a photograph for the gold medalists. Jonah straightened his ribbon. “We should go,” he said. Grant took a step toward him, then stopped. For once, he let his sons leave without trying to control the story.
