Once dinner was cleared away, Robert and Shelley found themselves alone at the picnic table. The others strategically withdrew to do other things. Korie had taken it upon herself to take Trent and Christopher inside to watch a video in the family room. Meanwhile, Mike, Jamie, and Tarah had gone for a walk with King, the German shepherd, so he could do his business.

“Gee, if I didn’t know any better I’d swear this was planned,” Shelley said mildly, looking around the deserted backyard.

Robert grinned. “I bet they think they are pretty slick, pulling a disappearing act like this.”

“My guess is everyone just wants to give us a chance to clear the air. In the interest of trying to move forward from this point,” Shelley commented.

“Without any more secrets? Is that what you mean?” Robert eyed her speculatively.

“Sure, I guess you could say that,” Shelley agreed easily.

“Well then, in the interest of having no more secrets between us, what was in the envelope that my mom gave to Officer Brown earlier?” Robert stepped forward into her path as he spoke.

Shelley paused in her pacing and turned to stare at Robert. “Did you ask Jamie about it?”

“No, I didn’t. I did notice that you were paying close attention to the transfer of the envelope so I am asking you.” Robert stepped closer and smiled. “No secrets, remember?”

Shelley swallowed. “I guess I walked into that one, huh?”

Robert shrugged as he folded his arms and waited.

“Fine.” Shelley was amused to see Robert hadn’t changed his tactics much over the years. He always had to push things just a little further. “Fair warning, you aren’t going to like it. Oh well.” Shelley shrugged as if to say you asked for it. “While Tarah and I were talking I showed her the file that you had Officer Brown compile on Christopher and me over the course of several years.”

At Robert’s startled expression, Shelley raised her hand to forestall any questions or comments.

“I made a point of letting Tarah know that I was not trying to stir up trouble for you. My sole interest in sharing the information with her was full disclosure in order to put the past behind us once and for all. Tarah needed clarification on a few things in order for her to see that I wasn’t trying to insert myself into her life. Actually, truth be told, you were the one who had forced the issue by seeking me out and confronting me. Yes, she may have some questions for you regarding why you pretended to lose track of me after I got married and moved away. You put yourself in this position when you lied again. Yes, I said lied because a lie by omission is still a lie, right? Haven’t we already learned that? I gave Tarah some reasons why I thought you may have decided to keep quiet, from my perspective. If I can give you some advice, Robert? Be honest with her if she decides to ask you about it and then agree to put it in the past. That is what we did. After sealing the envelope, Tarah and I handed it off to your mom to return it to Officer Brown with instructions to burn it. Everything but the paternity test went into that envelope so that we can take a step forward. Tarah and I have come to terms with the whole situation and are trying our best to put aside our personal feelings for the children’s sake. Make no mistake-neither of us likes feeling used or manipulated and those feelings still have to be dealt with.” Shelley continued to meet Robert’s piercing stare as she went on. “On a lighter note, Trent and Christopher are having fun getting to know each other.”