Just Friends// h.g.

chapter 38

I try moving the envelope out of her sight again.

"what are you talking about? Nothing, it was just mail that accidentally was taken to the neighbors." That seemed to do it. Michelle turned around and didn't mention it again. She pivoted towards the window and headed outside. I watched her as she gracefully laid down on the grass to watch the stars.

I knew something was up. "hey, whats wrong? is everything ok?" I asked, plotting down next to her.

"I guess. I mean, I'm healthy, I have food on my table, I have a roof over my head. Yet something is missing..... gosh I feel so selfish saying that. Ignore I even said anything." She stood up and began towards the rope of the treehouse ladder.

"You're not selfish. I get that you're confused right now, but its gonna get better. I promise." I exclaimed, in a somewhat believable tone.

Truth is, I'm not sure what will happen in the future. Maybe she'll regain her memory, but maybe she won't. And even if she does, what will that bring? Will it be the same or will it be different?

I was so dug into my thoughts that I never saw Michelle approaching. I immediately opened my arms to her and she knew exactly what to do.

I embraced her, she was so close that her perfume wrapped around me in a scent of vanilla and mint. Suddenly, something in my pocket moved and by the time I realized what was happening, Michelle had the envelope in her hand.

"No, Michelle....." it was too late.

"so this was mail from your neighbors. uh huh, mail from your neighbors my ass. Why does this say Michelle on the front, and who REALLY brought it?" She said, a hint of sass coming out with every word that came from her pastel pink lips.

"It was Jack. I hid it from you cause I didn't want you to get hurt or mad..."

"well I'm glad we avoided that!" She sarcastically response.

I saw as her fingers drew the outline of envelope, opening it with a tear. I flinched as Michelle took 2 pieces of paper out. One was a picture, stained with the color of age. The other was a letter, written in neat letters that I automatically recognized as Jack's.

I watched as Michelle's light brown eyes read through the letter. Her expressions went from mad to confused then depressed. Finally, she looked up, enough for me to notice that tears had started to formed in her eyes, fighting to be unleashed. She closed her eyes, immediately 3 tears rolled down. Her eyes were closed for a long time, tears flowing down. When she finally opened them, I saw all the hurt in the world accumulated in those 2 brown eyes that are usually filled with excitement and joy. I watched as she let the note and picture flutter down to the ground, she started running inside.

"Wait Michelle! What happened?!" I screamed, about to jolt after her, but first I wanted to see what caused her to hurt so much.

I slowly stepped up to the letter, slowly picking it up, flinching, as if scared to see why a few words would cause someone so much pain. I first examined the picture. Immediately I recognized David and Katherine Gilinsky. Beside them, at little boy, Im guessing it was Jack. Then something caught my eyes; David and Katherine were holding a little girl.

I still didn't see what this had to do with Michelle. I moved my eyes to the letter, hoping for explanations. It read:

"Hey Michelle,

It's Jack. I don't expect you to want to know anything about me. You have to understand, I only helped Morgan to protect you.... protect you from a lie that you have been fooled with, your whole life. If Morgan had gotten anyone else to help her, you would be dead right now. I had to protect you..... cause we're family. No, I don't mean as in family of friends. I mean, you and I have the same blood running through our veins. I know you might be confused right now but please keep reading. Look at the picture, thats me and my family. Notice that little girl that my mom and dad are holding.... or should I say OUR mom and dad. that's right, that little girl, is you. You are my sister. My parents explained how when you came along, they were so happy. They really were. But they couldn't keep you. My family was in debt with a really bad guy. He didn't want money, he wanted you. Our mom, hoping that the guy wouldn't come looking for you there, Talked to Amber White, a.k.a. your mom. Amber and our mom were best friend. Amber agreed to keep you, raise you as her own. She already had a little girl, Lucy. She later became your sister. Amber and John White adopted you when you were barely 8 months old. Ever noticed how you and Lucy look nothing a-like? Look at our mom. you have her nose, her perfectly pointed mouth. Look at dad, you have his eyes, his hair color. Haven't you noticed how much you look like a combination of Molly and Laura? We're your real family. Our parents told me to keep a secret, it was better you didn't know. I've kept it inside for so long and now the guilt it eating me alive. Morgan walked in while I was having a conversation with dad about it. That's how she knew. She threatened to tell you if I didn't help her. It was for the best that I did help her, you would have starved. I still remember the night that we left you with the White's. Mom and dad were a wreck. They were devastated for days. So I made it my mission to always stay close to you, to protect you. I'm very sorry you had to find out this way..... I couldn't keep it in much longer. Hope you forgive me...

Love, your brother,
Jack. "