Virgil.

Right.

The loneliness Riley heard in his son's voice nearly broke his heart.

Aidan, if there's one thing you take away from this conversation, you've got to know that I started looking for you the minute I learned you existed. Riley stopped and took a breath before the emotions could overrun him. I tried to find you and your mom. It's a long story and I'll tell you all about it sometime, but the second I knew you were alive in the world, I went searching for you.

I know. Mom told me.

Riley detected anger along with Aidan's disappointment, and he didn't blame him. Look, I agree that your mom made a mistake when she chose not to tell you that you had a dad or I had a son. It was a whopper of a mistake.

You could say that, Aidan said, laughing uncomfortably.

I would have loved to have been your dad all this time.

Yeah.

But your mom had her reasons, Aidan. It's hard to see them from where we sit today, but Katyour momshe really believed she had no choice. Things weren't great for her here.

Apparently not. But did that give her a right to keep me in the dark for my entire life? I mean… Aidan paused and sighed. It's just that I'm so fucking pissed at her right now, I don't know what to do.

Don't cut her off, Aidan. Give it some time. You know, it took a lot of guts for your mom to tell you the truth after all these years, knowing how mad you'd be.

But she totally lied to me.

Yes, she did. Riley tried to soothe him without coming off as condescending. She lied to me, too. I understand how you feel.

No, you don't! You can't! Aidan stopped, lowering his voice as he continued. Look, this whole thing has just blown my mindit's like waking up one day and finding out that nothing is what you thought it was.

That's exactly what's happenedfor both of us.

Yeah. OK. Aidan took his time before he said anything more. So what do we do now?

Riley was wondering the same thing, and he smiled because he was so pleased with the person his son had turned out to be. He was articulate, sensitive, brave. But Riley was smiling mostly because his son had just asked him for guidance. He breathed deeply, images of Big Daddy steamrolling through his head. Sure, Big Daddy had done a lot of things right, but Riley would never bulldoze his kid the way his father had, and he'd always believed that, if ever given the chance, he'd figure out a way to be his own kind of father.

This was his chance.

I think our next step is to get to know each other. I'd like to come to Baltimore to see you, if you'd agree to that. And I'd like you to come up here for Thanksgiving break, spend some time getting to know where you come from. Other than that, I suppose we'll figure it out as we go along. How does that sound?

Sounds good, Aidan said, his voice lighter. I'd be up for that.

They talked for about an hour more, mostly about lacrosse, biochemistry, and a beautiful and brilliant girl named Rachel, whom Aidan had met in freshman physics class. Riley said good-bye to his son with a promise to talk again the next day.

Riley had just taken a long sip from his now lukewarm beer and settled back into the rocking chair when Loretta started up again. Whisshhht, he hissed at her, but her rumble of complaint began to gain momentum. It grew louder as it moved up from her big barrel chest into her throat.

Then she tipped her snout into the air and howled outright.

I said stop it. Riley was just about to put her inside when he realized why the dog was howling. Loretta's keen sense of hearing had detected the car coming long before it made the corner. Riley got to his feet. He stared, his mouth opening in disbelief as Carrie's Volvo pulled in the drive.

He felt like tilting his head back and howling, too.

Just a year ago, Riley would have been checking out Caroline's legs as she sauntered up his walkway. Tonight, he checked for weapons.

Riley stood on the top step, more as a blockade than greeting. He didn't want her on the porch, let alone in the house. I told you to never come back here again.

I thought you meant the office. She flashed him a grin and stopped at the foot of the stairs, looking up at him sweetly.

I was just heading out, Riley lied.

Carrie's eyes flickered toward the half-empty beer in his hand, and her tolerant smile revealed that she knew better. I just need a minute of your time.

Then we'll talk while I walk you to your car.

He took a sip from his beer and stepped down to the sidewalk, walking right past Carrie and catching a whiff of her perfume. She'd worn the same scent since their first year of med school, and when he was in love with her, he had associated that scent with joy. Nowadays it just reminded him of the nauseating cocktail of formaldehyde-phenol that had hovered over them as they dissected their anatomy lab cadaver, proving that love could not only make you blind, but it could fuck with your olfactory system, too.

Could you put that dog away, please?

Riley smiled to himself. He knew Carrie hated Loretta. It was mutual.

You won't be staying. He pulled open the driver door of Carrie's sedan and gestured for her to get behind the wheel. Drive safely.

Carrie's hand covered his. Please, Riley.

He yanked his hand away.

How did this happen to us? We belong together.

Riley turned and walked toward the house.

You are cruel! she screamed after him. You let a rumor completely destroy everything we'd planned! You went chasing after a baby that doesn't even exist! How could you do that to me?

Riley made it to the porch, Loretta at his heels. I'm calling the police.

Why couldn't you give us another chance, Riley? Why? Carrie ran up the sidewalk, falling onto her hands on the porch steps, where she began to wail. Loretta joined in. Even though you basically left me at the altar, I was here waiting for you when you got back! But you just pushed me away! I love you! Why can't you understand that? Shut that dog /up/!

Riley retrieved the cordless phone and began to dial, knowing that even if he did call the police, no one on the other end would be able to hear anything because of the surround-sound howling.

Carrie screeched louder than the dog, Riley! Look at me! I insist you look at me when I'm talking!

Whssht! Loretta strolled over to Riley at the command and sat at his feet in silence. The day I canceled the wedding to go look for Aidan was the best damn day of my life.

Carrie's face collapsed. The tears stopped instantly. Who is Aidan?

My son.

You found him?

We found each other. Through Kat.

Carrie straightened up, dusting off her suit. So that's why she came to town? To tell you about your son?

The police should be on their way, Riley said.

She's just trying to ruin my life, don't you see?

The pleasant lilt of her voice made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He almost wished he'd actually made that call to the police. What in the hell are you talking about, Carrie?

That Cavanaugh girl. Carrie ran a hand through her hair and smiled.

She's just trying to keep you from me.

Riley rubbed his jaw. Few things about the human condition surprised him anymore, but from a clinical perspective, Carrie's complete disconnect with reality was as fascinating as it was creepy.

Well, Carrie, here's the thing…

Yes? Her eyes brightened.

Kat is back in my life and Aidan is very much my son. That's where my attention is. Not you.

Her smile vanished. She began to slowly back away, retreating toward her car. Just before she ducked inside and drove away, she said, You will live to regret this.

Not likely.

Loretta let out a howl of good riddance.