I went into my room and packed a whole suit chase of all my devices and clothes and then went back downstairs all packed. I opened the door hoping my mother would stop me before I had left. I had one foot almost out the door and my bags on the porch. I glanced back to find my mother looking at me drowning in tears, but she had still stayed standing.
"Mom crying isn't going to help this. You had over a hundred chances and took none of them." I said to her almost out the door.
"I just wanted to keep you safe." She said in a total break down.
"Keep me safe from what?! You keep saying that but I don't know what there is to be safe from!" I shouted. I knew it was a mistake to shout at her like that. She was already crying and shouting would just make it much worse.
I took a deep breath and set my things down on the porch. Then I closed the door and walked over to her.
"Honey your right. It's about time you finally understand what happened."
We were both on the couch. My mother's eyes were red and dry tears were on her cheek.
"Honey. When your father was taken away from me I was so hurt by it. I loved him so much and I didn't want to let him go. At the time my name was Sofia Miller. I and your father decided to name you after your grandmother, who was also affected by the gas." She started.
"My grandmother's name is Rose?" I asked in wonder.
"Not honey. Your grandmother's name is Jessica." She said with a tear.
I was in full shock. I wanted to say something at that moment but I just couldn't. I felt some many waves of emotions in me that I couldn't understand. But I know the feeling I mostly had was fear.
"Honey. I had to change our names because the government was looking for you." She continued.
"Why not you?" I said, being able to finally bring myself to speak.
"I wasn't affected. You were. I changed both of our names because the government would've kept me, hostage, until I told them where you were." She said in a sad voice.
I was speechless. I didn't know what to say. I am the child that the whole United States is looking for. My heart felt like it was beating so much faster. What am I going to tell Sidney?
"Honey you much not tell anyone about what I told you." She said touching my shoulder.
"Mom. Sidney already knows about Jessica Miller. I also have a paper on what I watched in class. I'm tied up. I have to tell Sidney." I said in a worried voice.
"No, you can." My mother said taking her hand off my shoulder.
"What if I get into some type of trouble? Sidney could help me. I trust her with my life mom, please." I said looking away from her.
"Okay okay. Bring her over tomorrow afternoon and I'll explain. Meanwhile, as far as homework goes, I'll make a not for you, saying you were to busy to attend to the assignment." She said in a serious tone.
I have never seen my mother so serious before. It was new for me to see this side of her before. It was honestly interesting to watch.
"Okay," I said smiling.
"Why are you smiling? Don't you know this is serious?" She asked in a serious but calm tone.
"Yes of course. But I've never seen you so serious. I'm glad to see the strong mom I always thought you were." I said with a bigger smile.
"You thought I was strong? But like you've said before. I've been screaming and crying in my sleep and shy with saying the truth." She said in wonder.
"Yes, I've said that. But that was the overprotective mom. This is the mom I want to know. The mom that's I want to get to know much more in the future." I said hugging her.
My mother said nothing. All she did was hug me back, and I had felt a big smile on her face.
That night it was hard to sleep. I was still trying to take all of the information my mother had told me in. I received almost thirteen messages and ten miss calls from Sidney. I kept looking at my phone all night. What had broke my heart the most was that she had finally stopped trying, and I killed me to is the last text she sent me: Fine, I give up. Apparently, you don't want to talk. But I'm worried sick about you. But I guess I'll have to confront you tomorrow.
Finally, I couldn't resist it anymore and I texted her. I had no idea if she was still up. But I wasn't going to say it to her face, because if I did I would end up saying the whole story.
Hey, I texted.
Two minutes later Sidney responds What the heck happened! Why didn't you answer!
I didn't know what to say but my thumbs took control over me and started typing You HAVE to come over to get the full story. For now, don't tell ANYONE about Jessica Miller or anything. This is serious. If you tell anyone you break me to trust and loss our friendship.
I didn't know why I typed that. I put my friendship and trust on the line and I shouldn't have done it.
Sydney responded back ten minutes later. Please relax.
I text her back, and once again my thumbs take full control over me This is serious. You need to promise. If you tell anyone my life is over. You'll understand tomorrow when you come over If you promise.
It took a while for her to respond. I kept looking at my phone constantly. But finally, she answered Sorry it took a while for me to respond. My mom was looking to see if I was asleep so I had to fake it. Anyway, I promise my life I won't tell anyone. A will come over tomorrow right after school. I'll tell my mom it's just for homework. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight Rose.
All I texted her back was a good night and set my phone down. It was hard to be called rose because it wasn't my real name. But finally coming out of thought I realized something. My mother wasn't screaming or crying in her sleep. Then as I lay down, I smile and close my eyes.