Chapter 3: The Name
“Give it back.””
Nia’s voice was no longer trembling.
Vanessa looked at her.
“What?””
“The photograph.””
“Nia—”
“Give it back.””
The authority in her voice surprised all three of them.
Vanessa held the folded photograph tightly.
Angela stepped beside her daughter.
“You heard her.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“You don't know what you're asking.””
Nia stared at her.
“Then stop deciding what I can handle.””
Outside, another wave of applause shook the walls.
Nia didn't look toward the auditorium this time.
Her graduation no longer felt like the most important thing happening.
“What name was on the back?””
Vanessa said nothing.
Nia turned to Angela.
“You saw it.””
Angela nodded slowly.
“Yes.””
“What did it say?””
Angela hesitated.
Vanessa snapped, “Angela, don't.””
Nia’s eyes moved between them.
“Mom.””
Angela swallowed.
“It was your birth mother’s name.””
Nia blinked.
“I’m looking at her.””
Angela’s face crumpled for half a second.
Then she whispered, “I know.””
Nia looked at Vanessa.
Vanessa's fingers began to shake.
“Then why was there another name?””
No answer.
Nia stepped closer.
“Why?””
Vanessa placed the photograph on the folding chair.
“You should hear the whole story before you judge anyone.””
Nia laughed once.
It wasn't a happy sound.
“You tore my graduation gown ten minutes ago.””
Vanessa looked down.
“I was angry.””
“You tried to destroy the only thing I worked for.””
“I was trying to protect my son.””
“From me?””
Vanessa didn't answer.
Angela reached for the photograph.
Vanessa slapped her hand away.
“Don't touch it.””
Angela stared at her.
“You've spent eighteen years hiding behind that fear.””
“And you spent eighteen years pretending you were innocent.””
“I never lied about being her mother.””
“You lied about why she was given to you.””
Nia froze.
“Given?””
The word came from her like a whisper.
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Angela looked at the floor.
Nia's breathing became uneven.
“Who gave me to you?””
Vanessa opened her eyes.
“No one gave you to me.””
“Then what happened?””
Vanessa glanced at Angela.
Angela said nothing.
Nia picked up the photograph.
Her fingers unfolded it.
The writing on the back was still visible.
*BIOLOGICAL MOTHER:*
Below it was a name.
Nia read it.
Her eyebrows drew together.
“That isn't yours.””
Vanessa's lips parted.
“No.””
Nia looked at Angela.
“It isn't yours either.””
Angela's face went completely still.
Nia turned the photograph over.
The baby in the picture was wrapped in a white hospital blanket.
Vanessa was standing beside the crib.
Angela stood several feet behind her.
And another woman was holding the baby.
Nia stared.
“Who is she?””
Vanessa whispered, “Your aunt.””
Nia looked at Angela.
“I have an aunt?””
Angela nodded.
“She died before you were old enough to remember her.””
“Why don't I know that?””
“Because Vanessa made sure you wouldn't.””
Vanessa slammed her palm against the folding chair.
“That is not what happened!””
The shout echoed backstage.
Nia flinched.
Vanessa immediately lowered her voice.
“I was trying to keep you safe.””
“From who?””
Vanessa looked toward the closed door.
“From the person who signed those papers.””
Angela’s eyes sharpened.
“You still won't say his name.””
Nia looked between them.
“Who?””
Vanessa backed away.
“Nia, listen to me.””
“No.””
“You need to listen.””
“No. You need to answer.””
Nia held up the photograph.
“Who signed the papers?””
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
For the first time, she looked less like the controlling woman Nia knew and more like someone cornered by a secret that had finally found its way back.
“He did.””
“Who?””
Vanessa opened her mouth.
A voice suddenly came through the backstage door.
“Vanessa?””
Everyone froze.
The voice belonged to a man.
Nia slowly turned toward the door.
The handle began to move.
Angela grabbed Nia's wrist.
“Don't open it.””
Nia whispered, “Who is that?””
Vanessa stared at the door.
Her face had gone white.
Then the voice came again.
“Nia? It's time for your name to be called.””
Nia's eyes widened.
She knew that voice.
She had heard it every morning for years.
She looked at Vanessa.
Then at Angela.
“That's…”
May you like
The door opened.
And the man standing there was holding the missing half of Nia's graduation gown.
