Shit talk about family drama.
I couldn’t even process what he just said.
Even though we had been talking about my mom’s childhood, which now that I realise was from her teens.
It was absolutely out of nowhere.
“Sweetie, say something please?” Grandpa asked concerned.
I must have zoned out too long for him to worry.
“Sorry, it was from absolutely nowhere.” I replied still shocked. It shouldn’t have been surprising considering how my mom doesn’t look like grandma or grandpa at all. Yet still.
It might be the sudden change in topic that got me this shocked. I mean after hearing my dad’s family history, this turn of events shouldn’t surprise me right?
“She’s out again.” Uncle laughed earning a slap on the back of his head from grandpa.
“Sorry, it’s just-”
“Too much?” Grandpa asked before I could complete.
“No. Yeah. I don’t know. It’s just feels bizarre.” I replied.
“Understandable. Sorry kiddo. The way you talked about your parents and your dad’s family history, your grandma couldn’t keep ours from you anymore and wanted you to know from us before you heard it from someone else. Though unlikely, since we love to keep things private. Why take risk?” Grandpa asked. I nodded still not able to form a complete sentence yet.
This time they let me zone out.
Though not 5 minutes later Amanda came out to call us for lunch.
I was still in shock, I didn’t even listen to anything happening around me other than notice the plates being placed in front of me.
“Definitely you are not taking it well.” Amanda said while smacking my head, earning a glare from me.
“Tell me about it. Oh wait she can’t.” Uncle laughed earning a glare from all of us.
“You knew about this?” I asked surprised that Amanda knew my family history which I weren’t even aware off.
She smiled at me embarrassingly. “Well, when I told my father about your dad’s family history, he scolded me for interrupting your grandpa’s explanation. So he told me your mom’s so I would keep quiet, which I obviously am incapable of doing, unlike you, when I am shocked.” She shrugged.
“Well let’s see how you would take if it’s your family’s history.” I said while stabbing the steak rather harshly.
“Enough girls.” Grandma scolded us.
I began eating till I heard her clearing her throat. I paused my eating preparing to hear what she has to say.
“Before I had Nathaniel, I had 2 miscarriages.” Her voice quivered. I looked up to see grandpa holding her hand to show his support. I smiled internally remembering how my dad used to do the same.
“We were really scared and planned to adopt. The moment I saw the little girl whose smile brightened the room she walked in, I realised even if she is not my biological child she indeed is my daughter. And like the little angel she was the moment she entered the house, we received news of my blood work I gave that morning I had the flu. Or that’s what I thought I had before the results came.” Grandma said with a fond smile on her face.
“Even when we had Nathaniel then later Carol, we made sure your mom never felt that she wasn’t our kid.” Grandpa continued.
“And now spending time with you makes us remember all the great memories we had with your mom. We are so lucky to have you in our family and the fact that your mom isn’t related to us by blood would never change the fact that you are our family too. And just like your mom, you brighten our lives as well.” Uncle Nathaniel said all the trace of humour left from his face, making me tear up.
Adopted or not, I was and now am 100% sure my mom had the best childhood like me.