Serendipity

Chapter 7

The next morning by 10:45 a.m., we are at the park with our cooler filled with food and drinks for the picnic lunch. Today is Christmas Eve, and also my 18th birthday.

"Ethan, will you push me on the swing, please?" Harley sweetly asks.

"Sure bud," I smile over at him across the picnic table from me before we make our way over to the swings.

Once Harley is settled, I gently push him for several minutes before I hear my name being called. Turning to the right, I see Kent, Kennedy, and four others making thier way over toward us with their own cooler. Harley jumps off the swing to rush over to me, and clutch my right hand tightly in his left as we meet the newcomers at the table.

"Hey," I greet them as Harley hides himself behind me slightly. "Um, this is my aunt Harper, and her three kids - Harry, Hannah, and Harley."

Kennedy then introduces his family to us; "This is my wife, Katie, and our kids Kent, Kory, Kara, and Kayc."

"You're not taking Ethan away, are you?" Harley asks quietly, coming out from behind my legs enough to look at Kennedy with a small scowl.

"No, I'm not, I promise," Kennedy assures him with a kind smile.

Turning around to squat down in front of my youngest cousin; "What's today?"

"Christmas Eve and your birthday," he mumbles as we stare intently at each other.

"That's right," I confirm with a smile. "Do you remember how old I am now?"

"Um, you're 18 now," he answers after he thinks for a second.

"Right again, so that means I'm an adult now, so no one can make me live anywhere I don't want too. I just want to know them since they are my family, just like you guys are my family. Okay?" I honestly tell him in hopes he understands.

He nods with a tiny smile as he hugs me tightly, when I go to stand, he refuses to let go, so I stand with him in my hold. Smiling fondly at him, I then notice my dad and them starring at me with awe in their smiles.

"You're really good with him," Katie says with a nice smile toward us.

"Thanks," I mumble embarressed, and unsure how to feel about their starring.

"Anybody hungry?" Kennedy asks breaking the awkwardness, thankfully.

We sit down and eat once everything is handed out, when Kory suddenly y asks, and very seriously might I add; "Are you trying to get money from our dad becasue he's loaded, and your poor?"

The family I came with, our jaws drop in shock before I become pissed; "Fuck off. I'm not doing this for money. I want to know my family I didn't grow up with, that's all. If that's how all of you think I'm after, then we should end this here and now."

"We just need to be sure you're not looking for back child support," Katie quietly says like she's worried that really why I'm here, and doing this.

"Well, guess we're done then, all I ask is you email me family medical history, so I can know what my future children might possibly deal with. It's been real," I growl as my family and I pack up to leave. "After that, we won't need for any other contact since you all think I'm nothing more than a gold digger."

"Ethan, I'm sorry, but I had to make sure," Kennedy says as we stand to leave. "Please understand, I come from old money, and I have added my own with my successful lawyer practice. I want to keep the money in the family."

"See, that right there tells me that you don't view me as family, and that's your problem, and not mine! I wanted to know all of my family, and it doesn't matter to me if you're rich or poor, but if your good people or not! " I holler turning around to angerly face them.

"So, don't worry about me, okay? I did just fine without any of you, and I will continue to do so with my family and friends that love me for me! So, have a wonderful life, and forget I exsist!" I sob while hollering with a horse voice before turning around to run and catch up with my family.

Sliding into the front passenger seat, I shut the door softer than I wanted, too, but I don't want to scare anyone with how angry I truly feel. The entire ride home is tense and silent. Entering the house behind everyone else, they head to finish their lunches in the kitchen as I tell aunt Harper that I need to finish my drawings for the art gallery showing next month.

"Ethan, do you want to talke about it?" she quietly and gently asks with worried eyes.

Shaking my head, I mumble; "Thanks, but no. I just want to be alone for a while."

Givng her a forced smile, I walk away to my room where I gently shut the door behind me. Sitting my ass down on the carpet, and lean my back against the door, folding my arms over the top of my bent knees, I bent the fabric at the inside bend of my left elbow, as I sob hysterically.

I'm pissed, hurt, and confused - it's not like I've asked or plan on asking for eighteen years worth of back child support from them. I never expressed this want with Kent when I've talked with him, so I'm not sure why they thought that. I'm not sure when I fell asleep, or for how long, but I'm jolted awake when the door hits me in the back.

Moving to my feet, the door fully opens, and Harry steps inside to take in my red, puffy face and eyes. He takes the three strides that seperates us, and pulls me into a bone crushing hug.

"This too will pass, eventually," he murmurs, and I let out a chocked sob, causing him to tighten his hold on me as I fall apart all over again.

"Some birthday, huh, Eth?" he dryly says, and I can't help the wet laugh at his obvious question.

"Yeah, some birthday it has been for sure," I say as I wipe my face off on my shirt sleeves.