One simple question from my neighbor’s son set off a chain of events that changed my life in ways I never expected. What I discovered about my husband left me stunned, and I knew things would never be the same.
It was an ordinary Saturday afternoon, and I was working in the garden, enjoying the warmth of the sun, when Dylan, my neighbor Lisa’s son, walked up the driveway. He was about ten, usually a quiet and thoughtful boy, but today he seemed nervous, his hands stuffed in his pockets and his gaze on the ground.
“Hey, Ms. Taylor,” he said softly when he reached me. His shy demeanor caught my attention.
I wiped my hands and smiled at him. “Hey, Dylan! What’s going on? Everything okay?”
He shifted on his feet and asked, “Do you mind if I swim in your pool for a while?”
The request surprised me—he’d never asked to swim in my pool before. But with his mom working long hours, I figured he was just looking for something to do.
“Of course,” I replied, glancing toward the pool. “It’s hot out. You’ll feel better cooling off. Want some lemonade?”
He politely declined, but I decided to bring him a glass anyway. As I walked back outside, I saw him removing his shirt, and that’s when something caught my eye that made my heart stop. A large birthmark, identical to my husband’s, was on Dylan’s back.
I stood frozen for a moment, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. My husband had always joked about how unique his birthmark was. How could this same mark be on the child next door? My mind raced, but I knew I had to stay calm.
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