Sebastian Meets His Birth Dad

Twelve year old Sebastian Bingham was an only child living with his adoptive parents, Franklin and Betty in Topeka, Kansas. He learned that his birth parents, Theodore and Jean could not take care of him because he had recently been laid off from his job. His dad, Robin was adopted too. Topeka received lightning and rain it seemed every two months. Sebastian loved to jump in mud puddles, dance and run through the rain. He enjoyed collecting rocks, lizards, and bugs. He had the biggest smile and was a happy go lucky boy. He also had a guinea pig named Petunia, hamster named Chip, and a parrot named Spike.

He always wore only one shoe, his right one. He had his grandpa's name, Quentin written on one side of his shoe and his birth dad's name written on the other side of his shoe.His adoptive parents loved him like was their birth son and treated him that way. He did fun things with his adoptive parents like have picnics, go fishing, camping, attend baseball games, and take fun trips. They would support him whenever he got to meet his birth parents.

Both His dad and his grandpa lived in Ottawa, Kansas which was 37 miles away. When Sebastian turned ten, he received a surprise letter from his birth dad which said that he was sorry he gave him up for adoption and loved him. He wrote and sent a long letter to him too. He called him too, but he did not answer his phone call or return his phone calls. He wanted very much to meet his grandpa. He did not know anything about him other than he gave his dad up for adoption, and his name was Quentin. He wondered how much he looked like his birth dad, Theodore. He thought he looked a little bit like his adoptive dad.

Sebastian's adoptive mom was a big country music fan. Her parents taught her to love music, and she wanted Sebastian to have that love of music. She taught him to play the guitar. His favorite songs to play were "Country Roads", "Stand By Me", "Sweet Home Alabama," "Hotel California", "Have You Ever Seen The Rain", "Horse With No Name", and "Heart Of Gold." He played these songs to his heart's content, and Betty sang along as well as play her guitar.

Between the ages of ten and twelve, Sebastian heard from Theodore only four more times. His letters were always short and to the point. He returned a letter to him each time. He practiced what he could say to him if he answered the phone the next time he tried to call him.

One rainy summer day on a Saturday with a lot of lightning, he took a deep breath and once again called Theodore. He was now 12 1/2 years old.

He let the phone ring seven times and was about to hang up. Before he did, he heard a deep voice. Sebastian said, "Is this my dad, Theodore?" He then heard hesitation, and his dad said "Yes it is." His dad said said he had not opened those four letters he had sent to him. That really surprised Sebastian. All of the thunder and lightning made it hard to hear his dad. Sebastian told him he wanted to meet him whenever the time was right. He said he loved him then waited to hear what Theodore had to say. His dad said he had been wanting to meet him too.

They decided to meet the following Christmas. He started saving money a little at a time which would help his adoptive dad pay gas forv their thirty-seven mile trip to Ottawa. They did not contact each other until Christmas time.

When he met his birth dad, he found out he did not marry his birth mom. He found out he looked a lot like his birth dad. He visited him for a week, and they got to know each other quite well. They exchanged hugs and tears. He found out his grandpa's phone number since it was a local call. He did not know if his grandpa would talk to him. When he dialed his number, his grandpa did talk to him. The phone call was very short, but they were each able to express their love for each other.