“You know about us then,” he said. “Is that a threat?”
“Not a threat. Nor is this a seduction,” she said. “Everybody knows! They must. These people watch television programs and they must hear about the girl from the cabbage patch with the lost brother.”
“Then why–?”
“Why not give you up? They wouldn’t. These are good and decent people, even our pig of landlord. Dairy farmers and workers and their wives. They know you and your family, your brother. They can see you love your son. Even so it is painful for them to see this. They blame themselves. You are an embarrassment to them, but they wouldn’t betray you I think. In any case the news reports say that not every jurisdiction considers your action a crime. I do not know American statutes of this kind myself, but in Poland a father is a powerful force. Perhaps someone has notified the authorities and they are even now waiting their time. Maybe soon they will want to interview you, maybe have a state worker look into the condition of your son... You should take your baby back to his mother. Come back and help us.”