Family Secret
Ever since he was a boy, Andrew had dreaded visiting his grandmother. She made no secret of her dislike for him, and he could never understand why his parents insisted they keep going to see herespecially with him in tow.
This grandmother always made sly remarks about ‘bad blood’ and said his mother would have nothing but trouble with him.
His mother defended him time and time again, but it never stopped his grandmothers biting comments.
She spared none of them. Each visit was a ruined day.
There was one particular time he remembered: his parents left him unsupervised while they argued in the kitchen. He closed the bedroom door, looked around, and spotted a handsome book on the shelf. He pulled it down.
But it wasnt a book; it was a photo album. A handful of photos spilled onto the carpet as he opened it, so he crouched to gather them up.
One photograph caught his eye: in it, his mother was standing with a man who very clearly wasnt his father. They were close, arms around each other, carelessly smiling.
I wonder who that is? Andrew thought.
At that moment, his grandmother burst in, snatched the photos from his hands, and shouted at him so loudly he was stunned.
Confused, Andrew glanced at his parents. His father said, Andrew, were leaving. Get your things.
Andrew shrugged and joined his parents as they left.
Did he ask his mother about the photograph right away? No. He was only eight, but he somehow knew it was best to mention it when they were alone.
A few days later, the chance arose. He asked his mother about the picture. She simply laughed it off and told him he was mistakenthe woman in the photo wasnt her, but some distant relative.
Andrew wasnt satisfied. His mother was clearly lying. After all, the grandmother was her own mother, and mothers do keep photos of their daughters, sometimes even the ones theyd rather destroy. Of course it could happen.
He decided hed try to see that photograph again, but the album was nowhere to be found, no matter how hard he looked. His grandmother had obviously hidden it.
So Andrew reasoned that there must be a family secret. He wanted to believe it, at least.
As the years passed, the memory faded, and eventually, he forgot all about the album.
*****
Andrew had admired Alice for yearsever since their first term at university. He remembered that first time so clearly: standing at the entrance with his mates, then Alice swept in with her friend. He stared as she passed by, only to see her again during a lecture for the whole year group. He was delightedbut he never managed to speak to her. Four years went by, and though they always nodded hello, theyd never been properly introduced.
Just now, they passed in the corridor, and Alice gave him that same brief nod before gliding away.
So thats who you fancy, said Sarah, whod joined their group this year and settled in straight away.
What makes you say that? Andrew kept his eyes on Alice.
Well, you stared at her the whole time and barely glanced at me. Plus, youre grinning like an idiot, Sarah laughed.
Andrew turned, somewhat embarrassed. Alright, you got me. Whats your plan now?
Nothing. Unless, of course, you want me to introduce you. I bet youve been pining from afar.
No! Andrew said, quickly. Dont you dare.
What for? Are you scared? Sarah squinted playfully at him. Didnt expect that from you
Im not scared!
Fine, if youre not scared, lets drop it. Sarah shrugged and carried on their interrupted chat. Andrew sighed with relief.
*****
Andrews phone buzzed. It was Sarah, calling to say their friends birthday had been moved to a different location.
Hang on, let me jot down the address. Go on, whats the name of the place? And do you know why they changed venues at the last minute?
Sarah said she hadnt a clue, then rang off. Andrew looked up the restaurant, trying to figure out how to get there.
Well, this is brilliant, he muttered. Just great.
With only an hour to spare, and the venue now clear across London, he threw on his jacket and hurried out.
*****
To his surprise, when he arrived at the restaurant, only Sarah was there.
Whats going onwhere is everyone? he asked.
Im the main event! Sarah grinned.
He sat across from her, narrowed his eyes, and waited.
So? he pressed.
So what? Sarah flashed another smile.
Suddenly, a man approached, took the third seat, and introduced himself: Good evening. My name is Richard Thompson. He handed Andrew a business card.
Andrew. Andrew accepted the card automatically, turning it over in his fingers before slipping it into his pocket, intrigued by the mans vaguely familiar face.
Where have I seen him before? Andrew wondered, struggling to remember.
Richard reached into his jacket, pulled out a wallet, then produced a photo, which he slid across the table to Andrew.
Andrew glanced down and saw, to his shock, a younger Richard with his arm around Andrews own motherboth beaming for the camera. He realised immediately that hed seen the photo in his grandmothers hidden album.
Thats my brother, Richard said quietly.
My mum never had a brother, Andrew replied, defensively.
I know. Thats your mother. And this is my brotheryour real father.
What? Andrew gasped. No, thats impossible!
Im afraid not, son. Its the truth, however unfortunate, Richard sighed.
You must be mistaken. I have a different father.
Officially, yes. But in truth, no.
Andrew studied the photograph, searching for a resemblance to the man beside his mother. There was none. Not even a hint.
What do you want? he asked after a long pause. And why did you call it unfortunate when you hinted your brother is my father?
I wasnt hinting, Richard said, smiling ruefully. I was simply being honest.
Andrew shook his head. If that were true, my mum would have married your brother. She didnt.
I dont believe your father realises hes not your biological father, Richard replied.
Why all the secrecy? Andrew pressed.
Its simple. My parents forbade my brother to marry your mother. And her parents forbade her from marrying him. Thats all there is.
Could that really be true? Andrew had no idea what to believe.
Why are you telling me this now?
My brother passed away not long ago. I think you and your mother deserve part of his estate. And theres something else
What?
You shouldnt have children. Were relatives, albeit distantly.
Why shouldnt I? Andrew frowned.
Because my brother suffered from a mental illnessits hereditary. Theres a likelihood either you or your children might inherit it.
For a long moment, Andrew was speechless. Hed always imagined a future with a wife and children, and now this stranger was telling him that dream was impossible.
He shook his head, searching for Sarahbut she had slipped away.
Richard caught his eye. Your mother has refused to speak with me. I had no choice but to reach you instead.
Sorry, but Im siding with my mum. Youre lying, and I want nothing more to do with this.
Andrew stood and left the restaurant.
*****
The first thing he did was call Sarah. Was she really in on this? Had she really tricked him into coming just to meet Richard? He was ready for answers.
But Sarahs phone was switched off.
Left with nothing else, he made his way home, determined to talk things over with his motherbut he said nothing that evening.
*****
Andrew sat at the kitchen table, staring into his cup of tea, just as he had when he was a boy. Hed always loved concentrating on a single object, observing every detail, or watching clouds change shape in the sky.
He remembered doing homework. When his mother sat beside him, he’d write studiously; but the moment she left the room, hed set down his pen and lose himself in his surroundings. When she returned, her usual chorus began: Why havent you done anything yet? What am I going to do with you? How will you cope in life? But hed turned out fineeven got himself into university.
Andrew! Daydreaming again? his mother called, snapping him out of it.
No, just thinking, he replied.
She was alone in the kitchena perfect chance to bring it up.
Whats on your mind? she asked.
Oh say hereditary diseases, for starters.
Andrew looked up, watching her expression change to one of concern.
And whats brought that on? she countered.
Andrew fished out Richards business card. Does the name Richard Thompson mean anything to you?
The sudden thought struck him: that was his grandmothers maiden name.
They’re our relations, right? he asked.
Supposing they are. So what? his mother replied, taking an evasive stance.
WellI saw that photo of you with an unfamiliar man, and, more recently, I met his brotherthe very Richard Thompson!
His mother just shrugged. So what? As you said, were distantly related. Why wouldnt I be in a photo with a family member?
His brothers dead. Did you know?
His mother paled. No
And he claims I was his brothers son.
Thats a lie, she said quietly, shaking her head.
Andrew almost laughed. Are you sure? Because I intend to find out.
Find out then! his mother replied, crossing her arms. Im curious to see how youll manage that. Will you really go to your dad and tell him youre not sure hes your father?
No, not yet. What’s the point? I have an uncleI’ll check our relation first.
His mother hesitated. Well, youll find a relation, of course. Hes still family. If you want to know the truth, youd have to test yourself against your father.
Andrew realised she was right.
Still, Ill do it. He was starting to get angry.
Andrew, you have to believe me: your father is your true father.
I need to know for certain. Ill ask dad directly and explain the whole situation. Richard said his brother had a hereditary illness. Mum, I want a family and children somedayI need to know!
*****
Two weeks later, Andrew, his parents, and Richard gathered in the living room. In Andrews hands was a sealed envelope containing the results of a DNA test.
All three adults watched him anxiously.
Go on, Andrew. Open it, his father urged.
Andrews nerves faltered. What if he found out the man who raised him wasnt truly his father? How had his mum convinced his dad to go through with this? What would he do if it was true? He didnt want to believe it.
No he muttered, passing the envelope to his mother.
She handed it to Richard. You wanted the truthhere.
Richard opened the envelope, read the papers, then sighed.
Im sorry to have disturbed you all. I suppose our family line really does end here
Andrew exhaled deeply. What a reliefhis parents were truly his parents.
*****
Mum, why did Richard think I was his brothers son? Andrew asked days later, strolling with her in the park.
You see I really did see his brother. We planned to marry, but your grandmother disapproved. I tried to defy her. We would have marriedmy life would have been different, but
She stopped, sighing.
What happened, mum?
He hit me, she whispered. That was the end. I ran away, sat on a park bench, and cried. Thats when your father came along. The rest you know. Weve told you about our meeting a hundred times.
Yes, Andrew smiled. He proposed on the spot, you said yes, and you went to register your marriage together that very day.
Thats it. Richards family assumed I must have been pregnant, and thats why we rushed into marriage. Your grandmother thought so too. And since you were born a bit early, they believed it even more. But that wasnt how it wasat all.
*****
Andrew walked through the university corridor. Sarah had vanished mysteriously after that whole episode. Sometimes he wondered if shed only shown up to connect him with Richard. Rumour had it the Thompsons were wealthy, but none of that mattered anymore.
Up ahead, he spotted Alice and, without thinking, sped up to catch her.
At first, he meant only to nod as usual, but this time he said, Hi! How are you?
Hi! Alice replied, smiling. Im good, thanks!
Andrew realised she was just a normal girl, exactly like everyone elsebut he really liked her.
So, do you fancy doing something this evening? he asked, bravely.
Alright, why not? she agreed, to his great surprise.
*****
Andrew walked away, grinning. He was glad hed met Richard and finally uncovered the family secret that, in truth, never existedbut it had hung over him for years. Now it was gone, and his confidence felt unshakable.
