Chapter 42: Telling Them

ADDY

My hand flies to my mouth, my eyes wide as I stare at my parents. The words have just slipped out and I can’t believe it.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to! I’m really sorry!” I look down, a lump forming in my throat.

I’ve been in a bad mood for the past few days. Despite my parents’ best efforts to cheer me up, I’ve been on edge. I didn’t mean to snap at them. They’re not the cause of my misery, but when I’m upset, I tend to lash out.

Usually, things go back to normal quickly, but this time, I’ve said something I never thought I would.

~You are not my parents!~

They’d only asked me to calm down, and I’d exploded, revealing the one secret that was supposed to stay hidden forever.

Mom heard me.

Dad heard me.

Now they’re standing in front of me as I sit on my bed, my face buried in my hands, feeling utterly ashamed. The room is silent and a sick feeling starts to crawl up my stomach.

Two small, cold hands gently pull my warm ones away from my face.

I look up to see Mom kneeling in front of me, tears streaming down her beautiful face. Her eyes are wide and filled with conflict.

I reach up to wipe away her tears.

I hate it when Mom cries. I hate it even more when I’m the reason she’s crying. Nothing makes me feel worse.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I just wanted you to leave me alone because—” I hiccup, biting my lip. My hands fall back into my lap.

Dad kneels down next to Mom and takes my right hand in his.

“You know.”

It’s not a question. They know that I know.

“I didn’t mean what I said,” I repeat, ignoring Dad’s statement.

Then I drop the bomb.

“You are my parents...but I know about mama.”

Mom gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. She looks at me in shock, then collapses onto the floor.

“Mom!” I grab her, shocked. I’ve never seen her like this. So broken.

“How long? How long have you known?”

I’m silent for a few seconds before I manage to answer in a shaky voice.

“My memories came back a year after the accident, right after I fell into the pool.”

Dad gasps this time, his grip on my hand tightening.

“What are you saying, honey?” Mom asks, disbelief etched onto her face, as if this is all just a dream.

“I know, Mom. About the accident, about everything. The images are still fresh in my mind. Sometimes, I can still hear my own screams echoing…”

She gasps for breath.

“I know that you’re not my real parents.”

She sobs again, tears streaming down my face as well. Dad pulls her into his arms.

“It doesn’t matter. You two will always be my parents.

“I’ll always remember Mama, but you took care of me and loved me. You gave me advice, laughed with me when I could have been alone. For that, I’ll be forever grateful.”

They give me a small smile.

“Honey, why didn’t you ever tell us?”

I fiddle with my fingers, knowing this question was coming.

~Why didn’t I say anything?~

“I couldn’t bring myself to say it after that year. You treated me like your own child and I felt safe. I thought things would change if I told you the truth, so I kept it to myself.”

I wipe away my tears and yelp when Mom suddenly pulls me into her arms.

She wraps her arms tightly around me and kisses my cheek.

“Never. Things will never change. You’ll always be our baby girl, and your mama will always be in our hearts.”

I smile into her embrace.

“I’m sorry, Ma!”

“I’m sorry too, honey! We should have told you, but we didn’t have the courage. I guess I was also afraid, in a way, to lose you.”

“I’ve always loved children, but when I found out I couldn’t have any of my own, I cried for days. We were planning to adopt, and then the accident happened and your mama died…”

She cries as she tries to explain.

“We got custody of you. You woke up in the hospital, and the nurse told you that your parents were outside, so you just assumed, and we never corrected you. It was wrong, but I—”

I wrap my arms around Mom, hugging her tightly.

“I don’t care, I love you just the same! No matter what anyone says, you’re still my parents and the grandparents of my future children.”

Mom laughs.

“Family hug!” Dad yells, pulling both Mom and me into his arms.

“Love you both so much.”

We hug him back.

“We love you too!”

Dad laughs, kissing Mom’s cheek before kissing mine.

“No more crying, ladies. We’re going to go downstairs, watch a movie, and eat pizza.”

“But I made oatmeal for you guys!” Mom protests, slapping Dad’s arm. I look at Dad, who’s grinning at me, then we both look at Mom.

“Mom, please!”

We pout at her.

“I give up!” she says, laughing. “Only today, though. If you don’t eat your oatmeal tomorrow, there will be consequences!”

We laugh at her stern face and I finally feel relieved.

Telling them wasn’t so bad after all.