Just us- SBI adoption story (Just me and him book 2)

Chapter 79: the family tree

TW- suicide, death, abandonment, neglect, abuse

Tor's POV:

I got out the wallet of photos from the box of family stuff. Back when I was killing time between taking the DNA test and the actual results, I'd gone through the process of collecting all of the old family stuff and putting it together in a few large boxes. I'd also made copies of a couple photos (well photos are kind of limited so it most of them) and placed them in a plastic wallet. I was determined that if Techno turned out to not be my little brother, I would find him. Techno was such a similar age to my brother, and that meant he was turning 18 soon no matter where he was. At 18, he would legally be told how to get in contact with family if he was still in 5he care system. I would find him. I would find my family.

And yet, there he was, in front of me that whole time. In videos and pictures Phil sent me when he wanted to keep me updated. Playing minecraft with Tubbo. On a walk with Tommy. Recently, I'd printed off the picture of him next to the car just after passing. They'd gone in the box too. Along with some family pictures of the Watson's; I counted them as family too now. They just were.

"Umm, we'll this can be a lot. Especially in one go. But I can talk through it slowly and we can take breaks and do whatever."

"Okay."

"Would you like a drink first?"

"Sure."

"I've got fizzy drinks, uh water, hot drinks, squash, juice."

"Do you have any fanta?"

"Yea, I know it's your favourite."

"Thanks."

As I got the can out the fridge and poured it into a glass I was transported back to America, my dad sat in front of me.

"It was Dad's favourite drink," I said, the words stumbling out.

"Really?"

"He didn't like drinking beer, I don't know why, he just never did. But an ice cold fanta, sat on his front porch after work, nothing was better. The American fanta was his favourite though, he loved living out there just for their fanta."

"I don't like beer either. I know I'm not 18 but Phil let me try some once and I hated it. Kind of hate alcohol for other reasons too, but yea."

"I understand. I'm sorry you went through that by the way. I totally understand if you feel angry at what Mum did."

"She did what she thought was right, she thought she was protecting me."

"That's a very mature outlook on the situation."

"It's the truth right?"

"Yea." I said, giving him a sad smile. It being the truth didn't make it any less sad.

"How long did you live in America for?" He asked, sipping his drink.

"Oh jeez, let me think. I was 9 when we moved, so about 4 years. Yea because Ellie was 7."

"Is that-?"

"Ellie was our sister. There's a picture here somewhere if you'd like to see." He nodded and I searched through the wad of photos for it. "Here, that's me and her on our first day of school in America. I was 9, she was 7."

"She looks happy."

"She was."

"How did she die?"

"Did Phil not tell you?"

"No, he said it was a conversation for me and you to have."

"Oh, umm okay," I paused, only pushing on when I told myself that he had a right to know, "she took her own life. 4 years ago."