Family Secret
I never cared for visiting my grandmother as a child. She always made it perfectly clear she didn’t like me much, and I never understood why Mum and Dad insisted on going over to see her, let alone dragging me along.
That grandmother of mine, she would always make sly remarks about my “bad blood” and how my mother would one day have a hard time with me.
Mum would always stand up for me, insisting it wasn’t true, but Gran pressed on with her attacks.
She didn’t spare my parents either. Every visit was another day ruined.
One visit still stands out to me, especially after my parents left me unattended while they had a loud row in the kitchen. I closed the door to the living room, looked around, and spotted a handsome book on the shelf. I reached for it.
It wasn’t a book at all, but a photo album. Some of the photos slipped out and scattered across the floor. I knelt down to pick them up.
One photo caught my attentionit showed my mum with a man who clearly wasn’t Dad. They had their arms around each other, beaming carelessly.
“Who could this be?” I wondered.
Just then, Gran stormed into the room, spotted the photos in my hands, snatched them away and shouted at me.
I was stunned.
Confused, I looked towards my parents. Dad simply announced, “Oliver, we’re going home. Get your things.”
I shrugged and joined them, silently trailing after my parents.
You might expect I grilled Mum about the photograph as soon as we got home, but I didn’t. Even at eight years old, I understood it was better to bring it up when we were alone.
A few days later, I got the chance. I asked her, but she just laughed and said I must have imagined itit wasn’t her in the picture, but some relative of Grans.
But I knew she had lied. A mum is bound to keep photos from her own life, some of which she’d probably like to destroy. Was it possible? Too easy.
I tried to look for the photograph again, but the album was nowhere to be found. Gran must have hidden it very well.
And I started to believe maybe this was a family secret, or at least that’s what I wanted to think.
Time passed, the album never resurfaced, and the memory faded.
***
At university, I had a soft spot for Emma from the start. I remember our first day clearly. I was with mates by the main entrance, and she walked past with a friend. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her She passed by, and I thought that was ituntil she turned up at our first massive lecture and I almost cheered inside. Still, I never managed to pluck up the courage to talk to her. Wed just nod to each other over the next four years. That was the extent of itno introductions, ever.
Even now, I nodded her way as Emma walked past.
So thats whos got you smitten, teased Lucy. Shed joined our group this year and wasted no time in feeling like one of us.
What makes you say that? I asked, still gazing after Emma.
Well, youre still staring after her and utterly ignoring me, with a daft grin on your face, Lucy laughed.
I turned to her and sighed.
Youve seen right through me. What now?
Nothing! Want me to introduce you and set up a proper date? Youve got all the signs of a massive, unrequited crush. Lucy was grinning.
No way! I said quickly. Dont even think about it.
Why not? Are you scared? Lucy narrowed her eyes and gave me that mocking look. Didnt expect you to chicken out
Im not scared!
Alright, alright. Subject closed, Lucy shrugged, and picked up our earlier topic. I let out a sigh of relief.
***
Later that week, Lucy rang me.
Say again, where are we meeting? I asked. She said our mutual friend had changed the venue for their birthday party. Go on, Ill write it down. Can you give me the address? And do you know why the change?
Lucy said she didnt know and hung up. That left me searching for this new restaurant, trying to work out how to get there.
Well, this is odd, I muttered. Only an hour left, and the partys been moved right across town. But what could I do? I hurriedly threw on my coat and left.
***
To my surprise, the only person at the restaurant Lucy had given me was Lucy herself.
Where is everyone? I asked her.
The important thing is, Im here! she said with a grin.
I sat down opposite her, waiting for an explanation.
And? I pressed.
What do you mean, and? Lucy smiled again.
Just then, a man came over and sat down across from me.
Good evening. My name is Henry Harrison, he said, handing me his card.
Oliver, I replied, taking the card more out of habit than anything, and slipping it into my pocket. I gave him a good lookhis face rung a bell, but I couldnt place him.
Where have I seen you before? I thought.
Henry reached into his coat, pulled out a wallet, and then a photograph, sliding it across to me.
I glanced downand immediately recognised it. There was my mum, younger, posing affectionately with this man, also younger. It was the very photograph from my grandmothers old album.
Thats my brother, Henry said.
My mum hasnt got any sisters, I blurted out.
I know. Shes your mother. And this is my brother, who, by the way, is your biological father.
What? I shot back. No way!
Im sorry, but its true, Henry went on. It really is quite sad, actually.
Youre mistaken. My dad is someone else entirely!
On paper, yes. But in reality, no.
I stared at the photo. Was there any resemblance between me and the man in the photo? None at all. Not a jot.
What do you want? I bit out, after a long pause. And why did you say sad when you suggested your brother is my real dad?
I wasnt hinting, Henry laughed. I was just stating facts.
I shook my head.
If that were true, my mum would have married your brother. But she didnt…
I expect your dad isnt aware hes not your biological father, Henry said flatly.
Why all this cloak and dagger? I asked.
Because. My parents wouldnt allow my brother to marry your mum. And her parents wouldnt let her marry him. Thats all.
Could that really have happened? I wondered. I couldnt say a thing.
And why are you telling me now? I eventually managed to ask.
My brothers passed away. And I believe you and your mum should receive part of his estate. Theres something else, too
What? I ventured, frowning.
You cant have childrenand were related, even if only distantly.
Why cant I have children? I was taken aback.
My brother had a hereditary mental illness. It can be passed down. Theres a decent chance it will develop in you, and your children, if you have any.
I didnt know what to say. I had every intention of marrying and starting a family. Now some stranger was telling me that wasnt possible.
I shook my head and glanced at the empty place where Lucy had been sittingbut shed gone.
Henry caught my look.
Your mothers refused to speak with me. So I had to go through you.
Sorry, but Im siding with my mum. Youre lying and I dont believe a word of it.
I got up and walked out of the café.
***
My first instinct was to call Lucy. What was that about? Did she purposely tell me about the rescheduled birthday so Id meet Henry Harrison? Was it all a setup? Id have it out with her!
But unfortunately, Lucys phone was switched off.
So I just went home, but when I got in, I still couldnt bring myself to tell Mum what had happened.
***
I sat at the kitchen table for ages, staring into my cup of tea, much like I used to as a kid. Back then, Id spend ages examining some object or watching clouds drift by.
I remembered doing my homework as a child. Whenever Mum was near, Id studiously jot everything down. The moment shed step out, though, Id put my pen down and inspect my surroundingsthen shed come back, fussing as usual: How have you done nothing this whole time? What are you going to do with your life, Oliver? Well, I turned out alright and got into university on my own.
Oliver! Daydreaming again? Mums voice startled me.
Not at all, Im just thinking, I replied.
She was alone in the kitchen. Now seemed as good a time as any.
Thinking about what, love? Mum asked.
Well like, hereditary diseases and that sort of thing
I looked at her face. She seemed worried.
Whats making you dwell on that? she asked.
I fished the card from my pocket.
Does the name Henry Harrison mean anything to you?
Suddenly, a thought struck meHarrison was Grans maiden name.
Hes family, isnt he? I asked.
Lets say he is. Why? Mum was on the defensive now.
I saw that photographof you with an unknown man. Plus, Ive just met his brother, Henry Harrison!
Mum just shrugged.
So what? Like you said, hes family. Why shouldnt I be in a photo with him?
His brother is dead. Did you know?
Mum paled.
No
He says Im his brothers son.
Thats not true, Mum shook her head.
I tutted.
Youre sure? Because Im thinking of finding out.
Go on, then, Mum replied. Im rather curious how youll manage it. Will you go to your father and say youre not convinced hes really yours?
No, not yet. Ill check the family link with Henry first.
Mum hesitated.
Well, the relation will show up. We are related. The DNA test would have to be with your father, really.
She was right, I realised.
Still, Ill go through with it! I said, getting a bit heated.
Oliver, trust me. Your father really is your father.
I need to know for certain! Ill have to tell Dad everything. Henry Harrison said his brother had a hereditary mental illness. Mum, I want a normal family and children, for goodness sake!
***
Two weeks later, the four of usMum, Dad, Henry, and mesat in the living room. In my hands was a sealed envelope with the results of a DNA test.
The adults watched me anxiously.
Go on, Oliver, just open it! Dad urged.
But suddenly I couldnt. What if all these years Dad wasnt actually my father? And why did Mum agree to this? What would I do if shed lied? I didnt want to discover my whole childhood was based on a lie. Why had I started this?
No I passed the envelope to Mum. I cant.
She took it, handed it to Henry.
You wanted the truth? Here it is.
Henry opened the envelope, glanced at the papers, and after reading, said quietly:
Sorry to bother you I hoped our family line might continue, but it appears not.
I let out a deep breathwhat relief to know that Mum and Dad truly are my parents.
***
Mum, how did Henry get the idea that Im his brothers child?
We were walking through the park and I couldnt hold back my question any longer.
You see I did see his brother for a while. We were nearly engaged. But your Gran was dead set against it. Of course, I went against her wishes. Wed have marriedmy life would have been very differentbut
Mum sighed.
What happened, Mum?
He struck me once. That was the end. I ran off. Sat on a park bench and sobbed. Thats when your father came along. You know the restweve told you our story a hundred times.
Dad said: Marry me. And you said yes. You went straight to register the marriage, I finished for her, smiling.
Thats right But Henrys family assumed I was pregnant and rushed into the marriage. Gran thought so, too. Then you came a bit early. So they kept believing it all these years but it wasnt true.
***
Back at university, I noticed Lucy had disappeared. Sometimes I wondered if shed only enrolled to introduce me to Henry Harrison. Rumour had it Henry was wealthy. His brother, too. But that was the last thing on my mind now.
Walking through the halls, I spotted Emma ahead of me. Without thinking, I caught up with her.
Id normally just nod and pass by, but this time I spoke.
Hi! How are you?
Hi! she said, smiling. Im good, thanks!
It clicked for me thenshes just a girl like any other, but I really like her.
Doing anything tonight? Shall we go out somewhere? I blurted out.
Lets do it, she replied, surprising me.
***
I walked away with a grin, feeling on top of the world. Though that family secret turned out to be nothing at all, facing it made me certain of who I amand that has changed everything for the better.
