Loved With Color

“My toothbrush?”

“I had a DNA test done. I wanted to be absolutely sure before I turned your life upside down. I have the results and we can do another test if that makes you comfortable.”

“Do I have to decide now?”

“Of course not. I’m sure you have questions.”

“I do. How did this happen is my main question?”

“My ex-wife had left me and James in the middle of the night without explanation. James was nine and I was overwhelmed. My job was demanding and he was a handful. I had a business dinner so I left James with my parents and went out for the night. I made a mistake, but I can’t be sorry for it. I learned a little about your life,” he says. Shaynah squeezes my hand and interrupts him.

“My life was fine. If you are going to say anything about my mom, I’m going to have to stop you right there.”

“Not at all, Shaynah. I was the one at fault. I didn’t get her number and I had no intention of calling her if I had. She helped me get over my wife leaving. Three weeks later, I met Marjorie and fell more in love than I thought was possible. We got married a week later. This was the only thing I never told her until I saw you on the news.”

“I told him to get you in our lives.”

“Weren’t you mad at him? I mean I ruin your perfect family.”

“Ruin? No, darlin’. You can do nothing but add. How can I be mad about a child? A child that was made before I met him? Don’t worry about that none. You’ll fit right in. Want to meet everyone?” Marjorie says.

“Um, yes. I would like that.”

“You know James. This is KittyAnn, your sister and Mavis, her girlfriend. Your grandmother, Gretchen. Everyone calls her Gran. Your grandfather, Jim or Grampy. These are my parents, Rick and Rita, Nana and Poppy. My sister, Friday and her husband, Doug. Their kids Victor and Heidi.”

“It’s nice to meet everyone. This is Blake, my fiancé.”

After the introductions, she relaxes some , though she never leaves my side. I agree that she will be a good addition to this close knit family. And the smile on her face tells me she thinks so too.

Now to get her ass down the aisle to me.

9

Shaynah

These people are so nice. It’s almost hard to believe that they want me to be in their family. The meal is complete with fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, and cornbread. It’s all delicious, especially the sweet tea. Then Marjorie brings out pies. As in more than one pie. Pecan, peach, sweet potato, and shoofly. Blake hasn’t left my side and I am grateful for that. My brother, James, I learn is a professor at UGA and he just made tenure. My sister and her girlfriend are really adorable. They are telling me story after story about growing up in this house and all I can think about is my mom. How weird is that? It’s crazy, is what it is.

Earlier this week I was lamenting about my childhood or lack thereof, but now I am thankful I didn’t have everything handed to me. I am who I am because I was strong enough to figure shit out.

Now I feel doubly bad because these people have been nothing but nice to me. They are welcoming and not one person is looking at me like I am the daughter of a stripper. I also feel like I am betraying my mom just by being here.

When Blake and I leave, we head to his house. He has run some errands and I use the alone time to call my mom again.

“Hello?” she says answering on the first ring.

“Mom?” I say, then immediately start crying.

“What’s wrong, baby? Did that boy hurt you?”

“No. Nothing like that. My father found me.”

“What?”

“He saw me on the news. He’s really nice and I feel terrible about it. He didn’t even give you his name or how to get in contact with you.”

“Oh, baby girl. Don’t feel bad about it. I want you to have that. You deserve that. I wasn’t the best mother. I didn’t have a good example but that’s no excuse. I should have been there for you. There’s no need to worry about me. Be happy. So tell me about him.”

“His name is John Tilson. He’s a banker. His ex-wife had just left him when he met you. He’s nice. His wife is nice. I have a brother and a sister. It’s a bit surreal. And I’m getting married.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“Mom, I want you to meet him. Can you come for a visit?”

“Tell me about your fiancé,” she says laughing a little.

“He’s amazing. I never thought it was possible to fall in love in so little time.”