Admitting the Truth

Brian

I couldn't deny it anymore, when just hearing her name made my chest tighten, which was utterly ridiculous considering I was a thirty-two-year-old man.

Ridiculous or not, it was happening at that very moment as I listened, for over thirty minutes, to Douglas talk about Emily and, consequently, Charlotte's name being mentioned several times as well.

"So, your relationship is really getting serious?" I asked, but it was quite clear that it was.

"Our relationship has been serious since the moment I laid eyes on Emily and the children," Douglas said, smiling.

My friend was recounting their latest encounter, which lasted the entire weekend, as he had taken Emily and the twins to his apartment, and they had done various family activities.

"Do your parents know about your girlfriend? And that she has children?"

I knew I was being intrusive, but it was a valid question, considering Douglas' family was highly snobbish and one of the most traditional in New York.

"I don't care about what