In search for the origins

Part 2

We drove to my place, and parked the cars infront of it. I hadn't told her which were my plans, but I had it completely decided. When I arrived, there was no one at home, so I could take some of the things I would need most. Looking in my wardrobe, I found my old teddy bear. I had it since I was three, or so had I been told. I wondered if it was a present from my real mother, the sole thing I had from her, and put it in the bag. I didn't take much, before going to Billings I would take the rest. I would have to ask Allen to go with me when I went for the rest of my things. But, for the next few days, I had taken clothes and things enough.

As I went downstairs, I heard the door being opened. I hoped it wasn't May, and didn't feel like seeing my so called parents...but there, at the end of the stairs, my foster mother was staring at me.

"Andy, listen, I..."

"Why didn't you tell me?" I almost spat at her.

"It is not that easy...I was worried about your reaction, and... I just didn't find the moment, or the nerve to do it."

"And it was better hiding the truth from me, right? Damn...all these years, you just made me feel like an outcast in my own house. Or what I thought it was my house...Hank was always despising me, and none of you said never a word. Never. Can you think for a moment how did I feel? Do you care about it, really? Hank is your only son, you wanted to have a girl and you had May. Right. And what about me? Was I just a way to have May?"

"Just listen!"

"It's too late now, I'm afraid...you had time enough for teliing us the truth."

I walked out of the house, not realizing I hadn't asked about my real mother. Anyway, it was likely they didn't give that information to the foster parents. When I arrived to Billings, it would be easier getting her name. Surely, there would only be one or two orphanages in Billings, and they must keep some kind of record of the children they have there.

"Well, how was it?" Sue's voice showed her anxiety..

"She said nothing but excuses...Hey, wait, there's May. Can you wait a minute?"

I went out of the car and walked towards my sister. She was back from school, with her friends. I greeted them all, and then took May apart. She gave me a questioning look, not understanding a thing about my weird behavior.

"Andy, are you ok? You look rather serious..." 

"Yeah, well...there is something I have to tell you, but it can't be here. I am going to Jess and Allen's place, they expect you too."

"You're worrying me, Andy. What's going on?"

"There is no need to worry, trust me...but it is something you have to know."

-I'm not a baby, and yes, I think I should worry. What's going on, Andy? Will you tell me?"

"I can't tell you now, that's all. Just come with me to Allen and Jess's place, please."

"Fine. See you tomorrow, guys." 

May  went in the car, and for a while there was an unconfortable silence. I wondered what she might be thinking, all that had been really awkward...and I feared the moment I would tell her about our origins. How would she deal with it? I did thank Jess and Allen for their offer, they would be a great support...

"So? Will you tell me what this is about?"Her voice did sound really angry, and I don't blame her. We were sitting in Jess and Allen's front porch, and they were making lunch. Jess had insisted us to stay there, so we could talk.

"Yeah...this is a hard thing to do, but I just can't hide you the truth, it wouldn't be fair...We two are adopted."

Her expression hardened as she looked at me with disbelief.

"If this is a joke, it isn't funny at all..."

"No, it isn't. I've been suspecting it since some time ago, but Jess confirmed it to me this morning."

"But...why didn't they tell us? It would have been easier that way...or did they pretend us not to know it?"

"I don't know, really...but anyway, you had every right to know." 

"Yeah...thanks for telling me." She was trying hard not to cry. I hugged her, and I felt her tears in my shirt. I rubbed her back, as I always did to confort her, since we were just kids.

I didn't say a word about why and how we had been adopted. It made no sense, and it could make her feel guilty.

"Listen...I have been thinking the whole morning, and I am going to Billings to try to find out something about our real mother. You wanna come?"

"Of course. This affects both of us, you won't be alone in it." She didn't hesitate at all.

"Lunch is ready, hurry up you two or it will go cold!" Jess called us from the kitchen, and we went inside the house.

"I'm not really hungry, Jess, thanks..."

"Oh come on, May! It smells great! And you have to eat."

"Sorry, I just can't eat a thing right now."

"Just try it, will you? I made your favorite dish." Jess smiled, and served May a small portion of roast beef and green beans.

We were eating when we were interrupted by a doorbell ring. We didn't expect anyone, so it was rather shocking. Allen went to open, and after a moment we heard him arguing with someone...a very familiar voice, as a matter of fact. We all looked at each other in shock, and Jessica reacted quickly.

"You two, go upstairs, let us handle this."

"No, I stay, but you'd better go, May...please..."

She was rather reluctant, but finally agreed in going upstairs. Jessica and I went out with Allen... My foster parents were there, and he was really angry.

"I knew you two were behind all this, you have been a damned trouble maker since the very beginning. And you, Jessica, I thought you were smarter...You could have chosen much better."

"I did the best choice of my whole life, and you don't have any right to come and insult us."

He looked at them with despise. Marjorie, my foster mother, didn't say a word, and I wondered what she would be thinking...

"This is nonsense enough. You, come with us and tell your sister to come as well."

"I am not going anywhere."

"And nor do I."

We all stayed in shock when we saw May was downstairs. She was behind me, out of reach, but standing there with us.

"We stay here, no way we'll go back to your house."

"Don't be stupid, Marjorie. C'mon, get into the car."

"I f that's the way you intend to convince me not to stay here, you're doing terribly bad. And now, I am sorry but lunch is waiting for us." And she closed the door. Then, she hugged me and began to cry.