Chapter 10: The Son Living Under Another Name
Daniel stared at Thomas as though he had just heard a death sentence.
"What did you say?""
Thomas rubbed his face.
"You heard me.""
"One of Henry's sons has been living under the wrong name?""
Thomas nodded.
"Michael had a twin brother. Your father arranged for one child to be raised by another family. The other stayed with us.""
I looked at the photograph on the table.
Two newborn boys.
One photograph.
Two names.
And twenty years of lies.
"Who raised the second child?"" I asked.
Thomas looked at me.
"You did.""
I shook my head.
"That's impossible.""
"You remember a little boy named Michael. You remember taking care of him. You just don't remember what happened afterward.""
Daniel stepped closer.
"You're saying Mom raised one of the twins?""
"Yes.""
"Then why doesn't she remember?""
Thomas looked away.
"Because Dad told her the baby died.""
My knees weakened.
Roy pulled out a chair.
"Somebody better explain this properly.""
Thomas reluctantly sat down.
He stared at the floor before speaking.
"When Patricia died, Henry brought both boys home. He told Margaret that one of them had survived and the other had been placed with another family.""
I looked at him.
"Why would he tell me that?""
"Because he didn't want you knowing Patricia had given birth to twins.""
"That makes no sense.""
Thomas sighed.
"Henry was afraid you'd leave him.""
I laughed bitterly.
"He was right about one thing. I would never have accepted another woman having his children behind my back.""
Daniel looked at Thomas.
"But why would he hide one twin from the other?""
Thomas's jaw tightened.
"Because the boys weren't supposed to be raised together.""
Roy leaned forward.
"Who made that decision?""
"Henry.""
"Why?""
Thomas hesitated.
Then he pulled a folded document from his jacket.
"This is the original adoption agreement.""
He placed it on the table.
The document identified one child as Michael Henry Dawson.
The second child was listed as Samuel Henry Dawson.
The adoptive parents were listed as Robert and Elaine Miller.
I stared at the names.
"Samuel?""
Thomas nodded.
"That's the boy who was sent away.""
Daniel frowned.
"Then why did you say one of us was living under another name?""
Thomas looked directly at him.
"Because Samuel was never adopted by the Millers.""
Silence filled the apartment.
I picked up the document.
"Who raised him?""
Thomas swallowed.
"Henry arranged for him to live with a woman named Patricia's sister. She later moved away.""
"Where?""
"I don't know.""
Roy gave a humorless laugh.
"Convenient.""
Thomas suddenly stood.
"I have told you enough.""
Daniel grabbed his arm.
"No. You haven't.""
Thomas pulled free.
"Let go.""
"Where is Samuel?""
Thomas looked at Daniel.
For a moment, something almost like guilt crossed his face.
Then he said, "You don't understand. Samuel is not the problem.""
"What is the problem?""
Thomas looked toward me.
"Henry changed the will.""
Roy's eyes narrowed.
"There it is.""
Thomas continued.
"He left part of the business to Samuel. Another part to Daniel. And he left Margaret control of the family trust.""
I stared at him.
"I never wanted his money.""
"Maybe not. But you were supposed to control it.""
Thomas's voice grew louder.
"Do you know what that means? You could have sold the company, closed the workshop, and taken everything I worked for.""
I shook my head.
"Your father built that business.""
"And I maintained it!""
Daniel looked at him.
"Then why did you forge the guardianship papers?""
Thomas's face tightened.
"Because Dad was going to change everything.""
I stared at him.
"Did you cause my separation from Henry because you were afraid of losing the inheritance?""
Thomas didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
Roy moved toward the door.
"Get out.""
Thomas looked at him.
"This is my family.""
Roy pointed toward Daniel.
"Then start acting like it.""
Thomas picked up his jacket.
Before leaving, he turned toward me.
"There's one more thing you need to know.""
I didn't respond.
"Samuel knows who he is. And he's been looking for Daniel.""
Daniel frowned.
"Why would he be looking for me?""
Thomas gave a strange smile.
"Because he believes you stole his life.""
Then he walked out.
The apartment door slammed.
Daniel stood motionless.
I reached for his hand.
"Don't believe everything he says.""
Daniel looked at me.
"Mom, what if he's telling the truth?""
I squeezed his fingers.
"Then we'll find Samuel and hear it from him.""
Roy picked up the adoption document.
"There's an address here.""
He turned the page.
At the bottom was a handwritten note.
For any questions concerning Samuel, contact the original caseworker.
A name appeared beneath it.
*Helen Whitmore.*
And beside the name was a date.
May you like
October 14, 1987.
The same day my family fell apart.
