As The Mill Grinds

OLD TIES AND THE SECRET LETTERS CHAPTER 7

"Zack! Zack!" Charlie called out his name and waved his hands in front Zack's face, but he stood lifeless and stared out into open space without making eye contact with anyone. 'Is it really possible? Are these letters about me? Why is there a picture of me among these letters? Have my mom been lying to me the whole time?' The look in his eyes was evidence of the way he felt. The weight of betrayal was heavy and he plopped down in the chair feeling despondent about the possible truth.

"What if it isn't you. What if it's your twin or something!" Charlie declared and rested his hand on Zack's shoulders. "I mean it can be coincidental that your baby pic ended up in that box. Your mom could have left it there by mistake, right?" He chuckled nervously trying to lighten the mood.

"What are you saying? That doesn't make any sense either Charlie!" Sadie pointed out. She held Zack's hand. "I know this may all be confusing, but the only way to get to the bottom of this is to confront your mom and ask her for answers yourself about all this, and what it all mean." She said making circular jesters with a finger. "Don't you think so?"

"I... I don't know what to think. My mom is definitely hiding something but," He paused holding his head down. The thought of his mother lying to him ate away at him. She was always so open with him...except, he thought, the day he was looking for his lacrosse gear and came across this box. He remembered how his mom yelled at him. He squeezed his eyes shut. He honestly had no idea where to begin finding an explanation as to why his baby pic turned up in the box, let alone underneath some unprocessed adoption papers.

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They sat at the table for what seemed like hours, trying to figure out the mystery of the secret letters. Finally they were all stacked in order by date. Some were opened, some were unopened. But all basically said the same thing. This woman Nadine was trying to find her son. A son who apparently never went through a legal adoption and should be at least eighteen years old.

"Look, there must be a logical explanation for all this." Charlie said with his head stuck in the refrigerator. "Your mom must have done a favour for someone. Maybe they filed for the adoption and then changed their minds. My mom said sometimes adults can't make certain decisions when it comes to their children. Maybe this is one like that." Zack sat silently as Charlie rattled on. "Your mom seems like a smart woman. Everyone has a dark side. I bet besides this box there is something else." Charlie sat back down with fresh food dug out the fridge. His plate was topped with left over turkey bacon, cream cheese, corn chips and cold fries. "I bet there's like a secret chest or something in your parents room with more information on this lady."

Zack sprung up from his seat. "Omo!" Charlie dropped is fries startled by Zack's sudden resurrection. "Tsk! Aye~ You almost gave me a heart attack." Zack darted up the stairs to his parents bedroom. Charlie stopped eating, then he and Sadie followed him confused.

"Hey are you sure this is a good idea?" Sadie was very worried that they might be caught going through his parents' room. Zack didn't respond. He was fixed on finding something else about these secrets letters. He pulled out his cell phone for the torch light and began his search. Her hand bumped into something and she let out a squeal and grabbed Zack arm.

"Hey it's only me." Charlie said putting on his own light. " Dude what are we looking for? " Different objects were silhouetted in the room under the light beaming from the cells. Zack walked to the picture frame hanging above his parents'  bed and reached out to shift it. He was sure something was hidden behind it. Suddenly a light from outside flashed across the room lighting it up for a short while before it returned to dark.

"Oh no!" Sadie loud whispered. "It's your parents driving in." Zack retreated without checking behind the picture frame. He grabbed Sadie's hand as they darted out the bedroom.