Chapter 3: Page Two
I had always imagined the worst thing that could happen on graduation day was forgetting my speech.
I was wrong.
The worst thing was realizing everyone else might know your life better than you do.
I stood in the aisle with Vanessa's phone in my hand while the graduation music played softly behind me.
My mother sat down.
Not because she wanted to.
Because her knees had stopped holding her.
"Mom," I said, "who is Marcus?""
She stared at the burgundy carpet.
"I haven't seen him in eighteen years.""
My chest tightened.
"That's not an answer.""
"I know.""
"Was he my father?""
She looked up.
Her eyes were wet.
"I don't know.""
Vanessa whispered, "That's a lie.""
Sarah turned sharply.
"Enough.""
"You know exactly who he is.""
"I said enough.""
I looked at Vanessa.
"Why do you know him?""
She didn't answer.
I opened the PDF again.
Page one contained the laboratory information and identification numbers.
Then I saw a small arrow at the bottom.
*1 of 3.*
Three pages.
Three pages about me.
My thumb hovered over the screen.
Vanessa reached for it.
"Ethan, don't.""
I stepped away.
"Why?""
"Because once you read it, you can't unread it.""
"I think I've already crossed that line.""
She shook her head.
"You don't understand.""
"Then explain.""
"I've been trying to protect you.""
I stared at her.
"You hid my mother's seat.""
"Because I needed to talk to her before you arrived.""
"You texted someone to keep her away from me.""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
Vanessa's eyes flicked toward Sarah.
"Because she was going to stop the test.""
Sarah stood.
"Because you had no right to order one.""
"You knew I was going to.""
"I knew you were looking for him.""
My heart started pounding.
"Looking for who?""
Neither woman spoke.
I opened page two.
Vanessa grabbed my arm.
"No.""
I pulled free.
The screen displayed a scanned photograph.
A young Black man stood beside my mother.
He looked about twenty.
Short hair.
Broad shoulders.
A crooked smile.
My mother looked younger too.
Much younger.
Her hand rested on his chest.
Under the photograph was a handwritten note.
*Marcus Reed — April 2008.*
I stared at the picture.
"That's him.""
Sarah covered her mouth.
Vanessa whispered, "Yes.""
I looked at my mother.
"You said you hadn't seen him in eighteen years.""
"I haven't.""
"Then why is he in this file?""
She shook her head.
"I don't know.""
"Stop saying that.""
"I don't know what Vanessa has done.""
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"What I've done?""
"You ordered a DNA test.""
"Because I had to.""
"You've been investigating my family.""
"Because someone lied.""
My mother's face changed.
"Vanessa, don't.""
Vanessa stepped closer.
"You want the truth? Fine.""
She looked directly at me.
"Your mother told everyone Marcus abandoned her.""
Sarah's eyes filled with tears.
"He did.""
"No," Vanessa said.
"He disappeared because somebody made him.""
The auditorium suddenly seemed completely silent.
Even though hundreds of people were talking.
Even though music was playing.
Even though teachers were calling graduates into position.
I heard only those words.
*Somebody made him.*
I looked at my mother.
"Who?""
She shook her head.
Vanessa's phone buzzed again.
This time, the message came from an unsaved number.
*He knows about the test. Leave before he gets there.*
Vanessa read it over my shoulder.
Her face changed instantly.
"Who is that?"" I asked.
She didn't answer.
"Vanessa.""
She looked toward the auditorium entrance.
I followed her gaze.
The doors were opening.
A Black man stood in the doorway.
Older now.
Late thirties.
Gray beginning at his temples.
Dark jacket.
Eyes fixed directly on me.
My mother saw him.
Her hand flew to her mouth.
"No...""
I turned.
"Mom?""
The man took one step into the auditorium.
Vanessa whispered his name.
"Marcus.""
My heart stopped.
The man looked at me.
Not at the graduates.
Not at my mother.
At me.
Then he said, loud enough for the nearest rows to hear:
"Ethan, don't let them show you the DNA result.""
I stared at him.
"Why?""
His eyes moved to Vanessa.
May you like
"Because that test isn't yours.""
And then he walked toward us.
