Claire’s mouth popped open in shock and Marty laughed.
“No,” Claire said quickly. “Of course not.”
Lucy giggled. “Sorry. I was just kidding.”
Claire took a seat on the chair next to the couch. “Do you remember the DNA test that you girls got me for Christmas?”
She nodded slowly. “Yes?”
“Well, because of that test, I found your cousin. Meet Marty.”
Claire watched Lucy’s face go through the stages of understanding – first confusion, then excitement, and finally a scowl. “A cousin? How is that possible?”
Claire stood. “Let me make some tea. This will take some explaining.”
She put the kettle on and started to tell the story to Lucy, who stopped her no less than a dozen times to interject her comments and questions.
Marty was quiet, mostly, laughing occasionally and watching them both.
Leaving out the bits about the FBI, Claire finished the story and showed Lucy the picture of baby Marty and Becca.
Lucy offered her opinion, as always, quite quickly. “This is insane.”
“I know,” said Claire.
Lucy shook her head. “At the same time, this might be the coolest thing that’s ever happened to us.”
Marty smiled. “Really?”
“Oh yeah.” Lucy nodded enthusiastically, scooting closer to him. “You look just like her.”
He shifted in his seat. “You mean my mom?”
Lucy shook her head. “Oh, I guess so. But I meant Claire.”
“That makes sense,” he said with a laugh.
Lucy put her hands up. “This is crazy! You got a match on the website and you didn’t even tell us?”
Claire shook her head. “That’s not exactly how it happened.”
Marty cleared his throat. “You can tell her, Claire. Or I can.”
Claire stared at him, frowning. “Are you sure?”
“Tell me what?” Lucy sat back, crossing her arms. “There’s more? Do you have siblings?”
Marty shook his head. “No. I mean, not that I know of.”
“Then what?” asked Lucy.
Claire bit her lip. It wasn’t her secret to tell, so she just sat there, smiling at them both and admitting nothing.
Fortunately, Marty seemed to have made up his mind. “I’m not a computer hacker or anything, but I kind of went into the DNA system to get your mom’s – I mean, Claire’s – information.”
Lucy cocked her head to the side. “Why? Doesn’t the website give that to you?”
“Well…” He set his tea down. “It’s complicated.”
