The Brother I Never Knew

“Sorry for your loss,” a man says to me as he walks pass the casket.

My mother must have been a well-known individual in this community. Everyone for the pass hour has been telling me how much of a good woman she was. I wouldn’t know. According to my foster mom, Elizabeth, my mother gave me up for adoption when I was one years old. I only came to the funeral to see what she looked like. For years, I’ve had mixed feelings about her. On one hand, she gave me up and never checked on me. I’d hope she would want to see how I’ve turned out. I’m 21 and about to graduate to be a delivery labor nurse. I worked hard to get where I am now with the help of Elizabeth. A part of me is happy she did give me up though because I would not have met Elizabeth. She has been the best mother I could have ever asked for. This funeral is my way to express my anger with the woman would did not want me. I will say my piece then get on with my life.

I took a deep breath as a walked up to the casket.

“Hello Yolanda, or mom... I never got a chance to meet you. I can’t believe just how much I look just like you. I thought about what I would say to you for years now and I can’t remember any of it. I just wish… I just wish you would have found a way to contact me. Why didn’t you want me? I’ve been anger with you for so long now, but I have to move on. Looking back on my life, I’ve been blessed. My real mom, Elizabeth has treated me like her own. So, I guess it doesn’t matter that you put me for adoption. Goodbye Yolanda, maybe I’ll meet you on the other side.”

Just as a turn to leave, I hear someone call my name. “Excuse me Deja Black? I am your mother’s attorney and she has left you items in her will. Is there a good time we can sit down and discuss the will?”

She left me something. “Um how about tomorrow around 1pm? I can meet you at Starbucks on Memorial.”

“That would work. You try to have a good day Miss Black.”

The rest of the funeral went by fast, and I got fast food before going home. My puppy was at least happy to see me and ready to cuddle. I didn’t feel like cooking after a day like this.

*************

“Thank you for meeting with me. My name is Brian and I am Yolanda’s attorney. She left you a couple of things in her passing. Are you ready to continue?”

“Yeah, let’s get this over with.” I said with a grimace.

“The first thing she left for you is a check for $20,000 her savings. She made sure to split the money equally between you and another.”

“Wait, why? Who is the other half going to?”

“I understand your confusion and she figured you would have some questions as well. The other item she has left you is this black notebook that will hopefully answer all your questions.”

“Oh, well thank you I guess.”

“The last request your mother had was for you to give the other person the remaining check. Here is the two checks and the black notebook. Have a nice day Miss Black.”

One check had my name on it but the other one was addressed to Aaron Black. Who is that? I don’t understand why I have to deliver the check, but I’ll figure that out in a second. I went home and stared at the notebook for what felt like hours.

You can do this Deja. You’ll regret it if you ignore it. I finally sit down to see what my mother wrote me.