Chapter 8

Elijah gave a shrug. "I am not sure. While all the students in our classes have fathers, we do not. All I wanted to know was if we had any. You've never talked about him, and I have never seen him before." 

Elijah did not speak; instead, he remained silent and paid attention to Michael's words. She was at a loss for words. He was correct; neither she nor they had seen him since birth, nor had they ever talked of him. Although she understood kids should know about their father, she did not want to respond to the question. They were entitled to know who had brought them into the world. 

"You have a father, but I did not talk about him because it is a long story."

"Did he hurt you, mum? Is that the reason you avoid discussing him or requesting that we meet him?" When Elijah eventually joined the discussion, she understood that these were the same questions that had been bothering him. 

She shook her head as her eyes grew wide. "No, your father is not a b