Chapter 12 - THE WORD “REAL”
Sorrel sat on the carpet in Dr. Lila’s office holding two toy cars.
She asked:
“You’ve heard adults say confusing things about dads.”
He nodded.
“Uncle Garrick real dad.”
She said:
“People use the word real badly.”
Sorrel looked at me.
I almost laughed.
Then Lila continued.
“Bramwell is your dad. He has been your dad your whole life.”
Sorrel nodded.
Easy.
Then:
“There is also something called biological father. That means the man whose cells helped begin a baby.”
“Like seeds?”
“Kind of.”
He liked that.
Then:
“The test says Uncle Garrick is your biological father.”
Sorrel stared at me.
Then Garrick's imaginary position? He wasn't there.
“Uncle?”
“Yes.”
“Then you?”
“I’m your dad.”
“Both?”
“Different kinds.”
His face twisted.
“Did Mom know?”
“Yes.”
“Why not tell?”
I swallowed.
“Mom was scared and waited too long. I was scared of asking questions and waited too long too.”
Dr. Lila nodded.
No dead mother sainthood.
Then Sorrel asked:
“Does Uncle want me?”
My chest hurt.
I chose carefully.
“Uncle Garrick is not becoming your parent or taking you anywhere.”
“That not question.”
Five-year-old precision again.
“Does he want me?”
I did not know how to answer his worth through another man’s failure.
“Garrick has made hurtful choices because he was ashamed of adult things he did. Those choices are about him, not whether you are worth wanting.”
Sorrel cried.
I held him.
Then:
“Does Grandma want me now because blood?”
There.
He had already understood more than we wanted.
I said:
“Grandma is trying to fix some things. But we are not going to let anyone decide your value based on blood.”
He wiped his nose.
“Can I still call him Uncle?”
“Yes.”
“Do I have to call dad?”
“No.”
Immediate.
Then:
“Do I have to see him?”
“No.”
Not now.
Later, as he grew, his voice would matter.
Then my mistake returned.
The family message.
Sorrel asked:
“Why Colton knew before me?”
I closed my eyes.
“Because I sent an angry message to grown-ups and they talked.”
“Bad?”
“Yes.”
“You got class too?”
Maybe I should.
“I’m talking to a counselor.”
He nodded, satisfied.
Consequences.
Then Garrick’s lawyer sued? Not yet. He sent a defamation demand but after confirmation paternity true. The problem was implication he intentionally lied? That also became true partly. So no lawsuit. He requested written correction that he was not seeking to take Sorrel.
I agreed.
Family message:
The DNA result confirms Garrick is Sorrel’s biological father. Bramwell remains Sorrel’s dad and legal parent. Garrick is not seeking custody. Do not discuss this with children. Do not use “real father.”
Short.
Clear.
Then Mother replied privately through counsel:
“I would like the same chance to repair that you are giving Garrick.”
I wasn’t giving Garrick anything yet.
May you like
But the court might.
That was the next fight.
