Chapter 15

ANNA

I’m aware that I’m being harsh. But the real harshness was when they kicked me out, followed by Becca doing the same. The constant moving, the desperate search for work—that was harsh.

Then I stumbled upon the bakery. I was practically living on the streets by then. Liz and Jim were my saviors. What I’m doing now doesn’t even compare to that.

Ruby’s eyes start to glisten and Peter’s show a hint of remorse.

~Is that regret I see?~

“Just give us some information about her,” he pleads, casting a glance at his wife.

“Alright. Just the basics. That’s all you’re getting,” I respond.

“Lovebug,” I address her, but my gaze shifts to James.

He gives me a nod of approval. Olivia looks at James, seeking his permission.

“Go ahead, sweetheart,” he encourages.

“What’s your name?” Ruby inquires.

“Olivia,” she announces with pride. She coughs again.

“Birthday?”

“November fifth—~cough~—I just turned three,” she declares, holding up three tiny fingers.

“You’re very articulate,” Peter compliments her.

“I know. Mama says I’m just like Daddy.” This earns a chuckle from them.

“Do you have a good mommy?” Peter probes. I shoot him a warning look. She cocks her head, turning to me in confusion.

“I don’t understand, Mama?” she questions.

“He’s asking if I treat you well. If I love you and stuff like that.” Her eyes widen and her smile grows even brighter.

“Oh, I have the bestest mommy!” she exclaims, which triggers another coughing fit.

“The best,” James corrects her gently. He looks at me with pride.

“That!” she echoes, pointing at him.

“She loves me so much. We live in a big house and I have a big purple room with lights that spell my name. And a big, big bed—I have a big girl bed and ladybug pajamas!” she boasts.

She snuggles deeper into the couch as if this might make everything alright. All this talking is a bit too much, it’s exacerbating her cough.

“Did you bring her antibiotics?” I ask Jessica. She nods and hands me the medication.

“Here, Lovebug.” I fill the syringe and place it in her mouth.

“All of it?” she questions.

“Yes, sweetheart.”

“When do I get ice cream?” I can’t help but laugh.

~Why did I have to promise that?~

“When the bottle is empty, remember?”

“Okay,” she agrees.

I give her the medicine and pull her close to me. “I love you so much, baby girl.”

“I know, Mommy. I love you too,” she replies, looking up at me.

“Those eyes,” I whisper, glancing at James with a smile. He plants a kiss on my forehead just as the doorbell rings again.

In this moment, I feel like we are a complete family. This is what brings me joy—my little girl.

“Becca is here,” Ruby announces as she rises to let Becca in.

“Alright, where’s the fire?” I hear Becca ask dramatically as soon as Ruby opens the door.

“Just head to the living room,” Ruby instructs, clearly annoyed.

I stand up to greet the woman who gave birth to me, who kicked me out, who I had always known as my aunt. She’s only seventeen years older than me, which makes her thirty-eight.

So she had me when she was still in high school.

She spots me and her eyes widen. Becca—Rebecca Johnson. She hasn’t changed at all. Fiery red hair like my mom’s cascades in large waves over her shoulders.

She is curvy, but her long legs give her an almost model-like appearance. I always thought she was so beautiful. Superficial, but beautiful. She has brown eyes—my eyes? No, they’re different.

“Hi, Becca.”

“Anna?” she questions, taken aback.

“I thought…,” she starts. She looks around the room, puzzled.

“Yeah, they kicked me out…,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Just like you did,” I remind her of her actions.

“I thought you would put her up for adoption like I suggested,” she states arrogantly. She crosses her arms and nods towards Olivia.

“Like you did with me?” I retort.

She blanches.

“Why did you tell her?” she snaps at Ruby.

“She needs answers—answers I can’t provide,” she shrugs.

“We just need one and we’ll be on our way. Who was my sperm donor?” I ask with a biting tone.

James laughs, nearly choking on his own spit.

“Why?” she questions.

“I need answers. Family medical history. I know everything about this side from Ruby and Peter, but I need more. Who is he?” I press.

“Come on, Anna. What for?”

“Don’t. Just don’t. Give me a name.”

She rolls her eyes, still resisting. “Tell me why,” she tries again.

“None of your damn business why. I just need it.” I knew this would happen. They always want to know everything.

David has had enough. He steps in.

“Look Becca, give her the name and we’ll be gone. Or I can go to the courthouse and demand to see Anna’s birth certificate.

“Since the adoption was within the family, I’m guessing you didn’t actually go through an adoption agency—do you want them to find out? You gave your baby away.

Do you know what jail is like? You abandoned your child—you could spend years in jail if the state finds out.”

Rebecca’s face turns ashen. She’s terrified of the potential consequences.

“I just gave her up! My sister couldn’t have kids. I was seventeen! I couldn’t keep her, or we would both be on the streets.

“I did it for Ruby. She was there for me when my parents kicked me out,” she defends herself.

“Like you were for me?” I retort.

“You’re my mother, and you left me ~twice~. You discarded me twice!” I shout at her.

My anger is building. I can’t believe this woman. She’s saying she experienced the same thing I did, yet she didn’t lift a finger to help me. What a fucking hypocrite.

“Mommy, ow,” Olivia whimpers, covering her ears.

“A…,” James murmurs, tilting his head.

I take a deep breath.

“Sorry, sweetheart,” I say, planting a kiss on her cheek and tickling her, which makes her giggle.

I turn back to Becca. “Just give me the name.”

“I just need to know why,” she insists.

“Because Olivia is sick!” I shout, gesturing to my daughter.

Becca recoils, covering her mouth with her hand. She’s taken aback. I slump back down and run my hands through my hair.

“What’s wrong with her?” she asks, sounding concerned. As if Becca would genuinely care.

“If we knew, we wouldn’t be here,” I snap back. “I don’t want to see any of you—” I say, pointing at all of them, “—ever again. Give me the damn name. Or I’ll call the cops,” I warn her.

“Okay! Okay. It’s Mr. Williams. The history teacher at the high school,” she admits. Her eyes are lifeless.

She knows she messed up. But she did it ~twice~. I can’t even bear to look at her right now.

Mr. Williams, I remember him. He’s a real brainiac. He went to Harvard—I’m pretty sure he has degrees in archaeology, English, and history. He fell in love with teaching, so he stuck with it.

“The attractive, young, brown-eyed Harvard whiz?” James asks her, shocked.

“What? I have good taste,” she says, flipping her hair back with pride.

“So good that you didn’t even tell him, right?” I ask her, knowing she always has a hidden agenda.

“So you could have a shot with him later, knowing his potential?”

She looks away, embarrassed. Clearly, I’m spot on.

“Damn, Aunt Becca. I always knew you were shallow and self-centered, but this much? You didn’t even tell him? I could’ve had someone who would have stood by me,” I begin.

She tries to cut in, but I raise my hand to stop her.

“I’m not saying he would have. But at least I might have had a place to stay for more than a fortnight.”

“Thanks, we’ll be leaving now,” I tell them. I pick up Olivia.

“You’re leaving?” Ruby asks.

“Yes, I got all the answers I needed from you. Now I need to get the rest. I have school on Monday, so I have to head back to Seattle right after this chat with a man who doesn’t even know I exist.

“This day just keeps getting better,” I say.

I put Olivia down and take her hand.

“Thank you, Becca,” I tell her, my tone sincere.

Her eyes brighten, but I’m not done yet.

“For being so damn selfish that you caused your daughter the worst pain imaginable.”

She looks away.

“My daughter is so ill that I had to return to the people who betrayed me and left me homeless to find answers. And you still wouldn’t give them when I asked.

“I hope you get everything you ever wanted—but just so you know,” I tell her, leaning in to whisper in her ear, “karma’s a bitch.” With that, I head for the door.