Chapter 2 - The Initials That Weren’t Mine
Most of the relatives left within ten minutes.
Nobody explained why.
Aunt Diane kissed Gigi goodbye without looking at me.
Arthur’s wife quietly gathered their coats.
Mom started collecting plates even though the party was clearly over.
My family had always done that.
Whenever something uncomfortable happened, everyone suddenly became busy.
I kept the bracelet in my hand.
Inside the band were three tiny initials.
E.M.H.
Not mine.
My full name was Clara Bennett.
“Whose initials are these?”
Mom kept stacking plates.
“It’s just an old family keepsake.”
“With my birthday engraved on it?”
Arthur walked back into the room.
“Give it to Mom.”
“No.”
His face tightened.
“It doesn’t belong to you.”
Dad finally spoke.
“Arthur. Stop.”
I looked down at the hospital envelope.
The return address was from St. Catherine Women’s Hospital in Philadelphia.
I had always been told I was born in Philadelphia.
I reached for the envelope.
Mom moved immediately.
“Don’t open that.”
May you like
Her reaction told me more than the words.
So I took Gigi, the bracelet, and the envelope home.
