A Moment of Truth
AN UPLIFTING SHORT STORY BY JEAN ROBINSON
Taking an adopted child to their hearts had meant that this painful situation was always likely to arise
Sally chewed the end of her pencil. She couldn’t concentrate on her shopping list. She couldn’t concentrate on anything. Not since she’d found out what Joe was up to.
Dear Joe. She and Phil adopted him thirteen years ago when they realised they’d never have a child of their own.
He had been two years old. A poor little thing, yet always cheerful despite what he had been through.
He’d been the joy of their lives: doing well at school with a promising career ahead of him; thoughtful and kind.
They’d never kept from him the knowledge that he was adopted. They’d always told him he was special. That they had chosen him.
He’d never seemed interested in his real parents. He was too anxious to be out with his mates for a game of football to worry about such matters.
Until last week. The shock had been overwhelming.
Phil had taken it in his stride.
“He’s bound to be curious,” he’d said.
“But why now?” she’d persisted.
“Because he’s maturing.”
He’s still young, though. Only fifteen. I’m afraid he’ll get hurt.
“Then it’s up to us to support him through it,” Phil had said, putting a comforting arm round her shoulder.
“But how do I explain how I found out he was trying to find her? He’ll be so angry and resentful.”
“We don’t tell him.”
Sally had stared at her husband.
“We wait until he tells us,” he’d said.
Sally had thought about that. It made sense. But the suspense was killing her. She worried every time he was out, saying he was meeting a friend.
She couldn’t follow him everywhere. She couldn’t keep checking up on him. The more she thought about it, the more worried she became.
She turned her mind back to the list. If she didn’t get cracking, Joe would be home before she got back from the store.
Sausage, chips and peas. That’s what she’d cook this evening. Joe’s favourite.
He came home late. Said he’d stayed behind for football practice. She knew it wasn’t true because his kit was still on the floor in a corner of his bedroom.
He didn’t seem his usual cheerful self.
“Got a bit of a headache,” he told her.
Phil was adamant they should leave him be. He’d tell them in his own time.
“I just wish I’d never found that piece of paper,” Sally groaned.
A thought crossed her mind as she cleared the dishes after their meal.
“Well, at least we know the address now,” she said to Phil.
Sally, don’t even think about it. If you interfere, it will make everything much worse. He’ll resent you snooping on him. We’ll lose his trust.
She knew he was right. She wished she’d never found the screwed-up note in Joe’s wastepaper basket.
It had sat there all on its own begging her to uncrumple it and read the fateful words that had prevented her from having a moment’s peace since.
The following evening, Joe was late home again. It was pouring with rain and as he clomped into the kitchen, Sally knew something was seriously wrong.
He plonked onto a chair by the table. Didn’t even removed his wet clothes.
No matter what the outcome, she had to talk to him. She took a deep breath.
Joe looked up. His eyes were moist, his face pale and anxious. Her heart went out to this boy she loved so dearly.
Mum, there’s something I have to tell you…
He could barely get the words out.
She was so choked up that she couldn’t speak either.
Eventually he got himself under control. “I’ve found my mother.”
Even though she’d known it was coming, it still pierced her heart.
“She’s in a bad way. She’s all on her own. I have to help her.”
This was worse than Sally expected.
“Mum, will you help me?” His eyes were pleading.
All she could do was stare at him with tears running down her cheeks.
He’d called her Mum as usual. She might not be his birth mother, but Mum was just fine. He’d asked for her help. He trusted her. She managed a nod.
She would give him every bit of help and support within her power.
The anxiety in his face began to fall away as he reached out to her.
The hug that followed was the sweetest Sally had ever known.
When Phil came in, he stood silently watching. His own anxiety flowed away. Whatever had occurred in his absence, it had produced the result he had hoped for. The two people he loved most in the whole world would get through this, and come out stronger and happier.
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