I can't take it in. My brother. Do I even have a brother? I guess I must have a brother if he's sent me a card. Angela's friend, Sandy is always round for tea. She has 4 kids of her own; Adam and Jacob, her nine-year-old twins who go to the local primary, Jason who is in the same year as me and most of my classes. We sometimes speak but I wouldn't really count him as a friend and Holly, her eldest child who is eighteen. Holly is the most popular girl in senior year because she's dating Tyler Dawson, the most feared person in school and leader of the one of the major gangs on the estate.
I've always wondered if Holly knows what she's got herself into going out with a guy like Tyler. His gang don't often hurt girls, but you never know. Tyler was recently captured by the rivaling gang. I guess Tyler bad-mouthed them and this resulted in his arms being cut. Tyler's gang showed they weren't to be messed with after that. I used to fear Tyler's gang but Sandy's always saying how it's sad that I don't have any family and I'm welcome to come round if I feel lonely.
Angela's always stressing that Sandy would do anything to help her out and that means looking after me if anything ever happened. I think I'd rather poke my eyes out than stay with Sandy and her four. Besides, I can easily look after myself but as of right now, I have Angela. Sandy's right though, I don't have any family. Angela, of course has family but she keeps to herself mostly. I've not seen any of her family except for Angela's mother since the year I was fostered and Angela wanted to introduce me to them.
Angela's been suggesting that we pay her mother a visit lately. I rather think she's going mad. I know she's initially my grandma and I should respect her but she doesn't act like a real grandma at all. I don't think she cares for me much because last time we went to see her, she made my tea and left me to watch the evening soaps. She wasn't the slightest bit interested in talking to me. But I guess she is family.
I think about it this card. What stranger would know my name, my birthday, my age and the children's home where I used to live? If I do have a brother, why has he never contacted me before?
All these questions were spinning in my mind. Maybe he had tried to though. I overheard Mark saying that social workers mostly confiscated any letters/cards that were for the children because they would be upsetting and would just make us think that our real families were coming to see us. I understood that they cared about us and didn't want to see us upset or being let down because our parents didn't turn up but I thought this outrageous. I try to forget about this brother.
"So, who's your card from?" I snap back to reality. I can't tell Angela about this mystery brother but what can I tell her? Think Caitlin, think.
"Oh, just an old friend from my primary school. I guess she didn't know your address and relented to sending it to the children's home."
"That was nice of her to remember."
"Yeah, it was," I say, my voice trembling. I hate lying to her but she can't know. How can I explain what I myself don't even know?
"Go ahead and open your gifts now." I'd forgotten all about them due to this unknown, mystery brother.
I tear the paper of many parcels in delight. Angela's bought me a new iPhone and a set of earbuds seeing as she knew I needed some along with make-up, a brand new set of pyjamas, new jeans and a bottle of my favourite perfume. I hug her in appreciation.
"Do you like your presents then?"
"I love them!"
"I was thinking - Why don't we have a day out today, specially for your birthday? We could go shopping in town? Or maybe go see a movie? Your choice."
