-22-

[Melancholy]

SIERRA

"Isn’t that crazy, mom? How can you not be my mother? You raised me. You birthed me. Right?"

My mother hadn't moved or spoken since I said it. Why? Why was she so silent? Her eyes flitted between the table, the wall behind my head, and her hands but not my face.

This wasn't happening. It couldn't be. "Mom," I croaked, tears welling in my eyes. "Are you not my mom?" My voice was so soft and broken that I barely recognized it.

Her mouth opened and closed a few times, but no words came out.

"Mom, please tell me this stranger didn't know something about me that you and dad hid from me all my life? Are you my parents or not?" I all but screamed at her.

"Watch your tone, young lady!"

I laughed bitterly, throwing my head back as though I'd heard the stupidest yet funniest joke of the century. I even wiped the imaginary tear from my eye. "Watch my tone." I reiterated mockingly. "You cannot answer one easy question—which I knew the answer, yet you can tell me t