Page 10 of Bending Under Pressure

“That wasn’t a question, you know.” I’m rewarded with a smile, a soft laugh, and she even rolls her eyes at me. “We’re not blood-related. We were both adopted. Mom and Dad’s last name is Sanderson. They adopted us when we were six. We were in the same foster home, and were best friends. They initially only planned to adopt only one kid. When they saw how close we were and how protective of one another we were, they adopted us both instead. We were already used to our last names, and I guess they were scared they would confuse us.”

“That was very sweet of them.”

I nod in agreement. “They have always open with us and would answer any questions we had the best they could. Everyone in town knows we were adopted, too.”

“Hey, man,” Cam says as he walks into my room. “Oh, hey, Haley,” he adds when he notices her. He plops down onto the game chair by the TV, and Haley leans back against the headboard.

“What are you doing here? I thought you’d be at Jess’s for a while longer.”

“Her parents sent me home.” He lifts his hands behind his head as he leans back. “They gave me that school night excuse.” Cam focuses his gaze on Haley. “We have a game Friday, and Jess is going. Are you? She was planning on asking if you wanted to go.”

“That sounds fun. I’ll be there. Maybe Jess and I can ride together.”

“I’m sure Jess won’t mind that at all,” Cam assures her. “Keelan can give you her number if you don’t have it already.” He stands and adds on his way out, “See y’all losers later.”

“I should head home. Thanks for inviting me over.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll walk you out.”

We put our shoes on and go downstairs. Haley thanks my parents for dinner before I walk her outside to her car. She presses the unlock button on her key fob, and I open the door for her.

“Thanks again, Keelan.” Haley steps forward, quickly kisses my cheek, and then slides into her car.

I grin, close her door, and watch as she drives away.

“Keelan, check the mail please,” Mom calls from the front porch. Dad must have forgotten.

I pull the mail from the box and flip through it as I walk back to the house. I’m surprised to see an envelope with my name on it. The name on the return address stops me in my tracks.

Natalie Moore.

My biological mother.

How did she even find me? I didn’t think she had that kind of information. I fold it in half and stuff it in my back pocket. What does she want? Thankfully, Mom isn’t nearby when I walk back inside. I toss the mail onto the table in the kitchen and hurry to Cam’s room.

“What’s the deal with you and Haley?” he asks without glancing from his TV. I close his door and he finally looks at me. “What’s wrong?” I pull the letter from my pocket and throw it to where he sits in a desk chair. “Natalie wrote you,” he states. “I’m guessing Mom and Dad don’t know?” I shake my head. “Are you going to open it?”

I fall back onto his bed. “Sho

uld I? What do you think she wants?”

“I don’t know, man. It’s been a long time since you’ve seen her. Maybe she wants you back?”

“After all this time? Why? She’s not my parent anymore. Mom and Dad are.”

“So, maybe she wants to get to know you. You won’t know unless you open it.”

“Should I tell them first?” I ask, already filled with dread and worry over how my parents might react.

“I think you should read it first.” Cam holds out the letter.

Sitting up, I grab it and retreat to my room with a mumbled thanks. I sit on my bed, taking a deep breath. My hands tremble as I rip the envelope open. Might as well get this over with, like ripping a Band-Aid off.

Dear Keelan,

I’m not sure if you know who I am by name because I’m not sure what your adopted parents have told you or what you remember. I’m your biological mother. I don’t know where to start really, other than I’m finally in a good place in my life and I would love to meet you.

It took some time, but thanks to you playing football, a private investigator was able to find you. As I said, I would love to meet you and get to know you better. Please write me back or call me at the number below.

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