The Truth About Us [ON HOLD]

Chapter Nineteen

CHAPTER NINETEEN

The humidity had broken but I still wasn't able to focus. My mind was plagued by the weighing thoughts of the future. We hadn't heard back from our birth father but I was already fearing his answer. Cameron would have been heartbroken if he didn't want to meet us but I knew I would have been relieved. I was still reeling from meeting our birth mother.

Another episode like that and Noah was sure to run away and never look back. When I thought about it I wanted to bury my head in a pillow from shame. Why couldn't I cope better?

My pen tapped against the desk as I heard a knock on the door. Cameron peeked in. "Fancy a talk?"

"Sure," I sighed and threw the pen down, spinning my chair around to face him. This was the conversation that I'd been avoiding because I knew we were about to argue. He lowered himself onto my bed and sat in silence, twiddling his thumbs. I sat down beside him, nudging his shoulder. "What's up?"

"He answered," Cameron finally said.

"What?" I gulped. My heart sank into my stomach and thoughts of panic erupted in my mind. I didn't know if I could handle it, what our birth father had to say. What new revelation was he going to spring on us? How was he going to alter our lives next? "Let me see."

He hesitantly handed me his phone.

It was like I was frozen in place, staring down at the text but the words weren't sinking in. The phone felt heavy in my hands, like a ton of bricks weighing me down. I read it over again.

Hi Cameron and Samara, you both mean the world to me. I pondered over giving you up for adoption for many years. I was only sixteen when you were born and wanted the best life for you both. At that time in my life I knew that I was unable to give you what you deserved and Diana and Peter could. I have sent you a friend request so you can look through some of my photos and see the rest of your family. I have two other children now and they have grown up knowing they have a brother and sister. I would love to get to know you and be a part of your lives. I am very happy to hear from you.

Dixon Shaw

"We have siblings," I blurted. It was a thought that came spewing out before I could stop myself. "I don't know why I never thought about that being a possibility. I never thought about them having other kids. I wonder how old they are."

Cameron nodded, agreeing with me. "It's weird right?"

"It's a nice message thought. Thoughtful," I pointed out. "Did you accept his request?"

He shook his head. "Wanted to show you first."

I sighed, taking in a shaky breath. I felt like I was supposed to know what to do next but I was dumbfounded. Avoidance was my virtue, now there was no running away. Not when I knew what Cameron wanted. "What do you want to do?" Asking was a courtesy. I already knew his answer. He had been saying the same thing for months.

"I want to meet him, Sammy."

"I know," I muttered. I quickly came to the realization that if I said no he'd go alone and I didn't want that. As his sister, it was my job to be there for him. "I'll go with you."

"You don't have to."

"I want to." I placed my hand on his and squeezed it reassuringly. "We're in this together Cam."

"I just don't want to make you do it if you don't want to. I think I pressured you into meeting our birth mom. You do so much for me because you don't want me to go it alone. I just wish I could do the same for you. When you were in the hospital there was nothing I could do to make it better." His voice cracked and my heart lurched. I felt so guilty for everything I put my family through, but we hardly ever talked about it. "The other day when you had your panic attack, it was the same way. I didn't know what to do. This time I want to protect you."