Hidden Motives

Meeting Melissa

Her father had arrived on the worst day possible.

"He really loves to ruin a good night doesn't he" I say under my breath. This man has caused so much pain in my life and only he would pull such a move as to show up to "visit" us a day after my birthday. Not even a day later to be precise, the same night. He knows about my birthday parties and hasn't seemed to care before, so why would he show up at a time he knows the house is going to be a disaster. This man is unbelievable.

I look to my right and see Vanessa passed out on the couch beside me and think "Of course she decides to get blackout drunk the day my father shows up" as I roll my eyes. I drag her to my bedroom and lay her down on the small sofa as I enter the bathroom to change into something a little less extravagant. I don't need my father knowing I had a good time, he will most definitely ridicule me for it. I don't know if he just forgot that it was my birthday or decided to ruin it. Mr. Theo Morgan doesn't run on anyone else's time. It is and was, always about him.

After changing into a red and black plaid PJ set I ran downstairs. Out the window, I could see the cars on the driveway. The car door was opening and to my suprise, it wasn't my father who exited the car. It was this tall, slim woman, with long brown hair curled perfectly. She was wearing a black and white pantsuit with heels and sunglasses.

"What a weirdo" I thought. "Who wears sunglasses at 2 am."

As she approached the door with two men I saw her turn around and wave them back to the car with one simple gesture. I stood in front of the door preparing to answer. You may ask "Why would you open the door if you don't know the lady?" Well, my answer is simple. Something about this woman was familiar and she intrigued me. She carried a letter and I knew that she was someone of importance. I heard a loud knock on the door. I slowly turned the knob and saw the woman. She then spoke.

"Hello...Sierra, my name is Melissa. Sorry to intrude, I know my timing isn't great, but I hear that you have just turned 17 and I come here with urgent news. Happy Birthday!" she says in a very formal manner.

I look at her for a while and finally manage to stutter out "Umm he..llo Mell-l-issa."

I know, how formal of me. To be fair I was a bit shocked as this woman looked very similar to my mother. Fear and questions coursed through my head. "This can't be her. It's just not possible. Besides her name is Melissa my mother's name was Sara." I thought.

She laughed a little and said "Don't be nervous I am Mellisa Perry. Your mother's sister. We have never met as your mother wasn't involved with her family. I am here to give you a letter that could give us some clues on what happened to her. The only issue is that the letter has your name on it and was found by your school. They thought it seemed a bit suspicious and were going to open it, but I intercepted it. I knew my sister wrote you a letter I just didn't know where it was. I work for the FBI where your mother's disappearance is still a case very well open. It didn't feel right to open the letter when it is meant for you so I am here to deliver it to you."

"You're my aunt!" I say. "That's so crazy my mother never told me about her personal life, but I have an aunt!" I exclaimed. For some reason, I believed this woman. I felt something between us, something I never felt with my mother. The FBI, the letter, my mother, her forgotten family, this woman who is my aunt. It all felt like a dream and it was much better than seeing my father at the doorstep at this time of night.

She smiled at me and said, "Yes sweetie it's true. Now here's the letter. Do what you wish and open it when you are ready." As she says this she hands me a large envelope with a gold seal and my name written across the back in my mother's handwriting. Everything about it was extra, just like my mother. I knew that in this envelope would be answers. Answers that I was ready to face after three years. I had spent enough time gloating and ignoring my past. It was time to open the letter.

"I am going to open it right now. You can stay if you would like." I tell Melissa.

Melissa had already turned to leave, but upon hearing this she turned back around. She seemed shocked, but then a calm expression overtook her face. "Are you sure you're ready?" she says questioning my decision a bit.

"It's now or never" I repeat under my breath while carefully opening up the envelope with the gold seal.