"Before you ask the questions, here are the answers:
"No they didn't know that Gina knew me before they came. They didn't tell Gina why they were coming but she thinks it's because they got match from the DNA test because apparently they've done every one that's ever came out to find me and they wanted her to know in person.
"No I don't know what I'm going to do. I still haven't wrapped my head around it.
"Yes I tried calling my aunt to see what she had to say. Her phone's been disconnected and I called my neighbor Chase who told me she sold it the week after spring break and moved the week after that, so she's been gone just under two weeks. He did say she left some stuff for me with him while she supposedly went on a cruise. Apparently she told him that she was moving closer to me since I was about to graduate and I was going to take care of her." Graham shrugged "Not sure how she made that convincing, except I've been gone so long.
"And apparently I'm going to meet my parents at 6. Here, which is why I wanted the dining area so we could be all awkward without an audience. And Gina's coming because she's my sister. So yeah, glad I wasn't dating her." Graham let out an awkward laugh. "Oh and my parents will call me Grant because apparently even my name is a lie. Did that answer all the questions I can answer right now?"
"All except one, how are you doing?" Elijah asked.
Graham shrugged, "Good question. But anyone who wants to get wasted tonight with Noah and I is welcome to join after my family leaves."
"I guess that answers my question, but are you sure that's how you want to handle it?" Lucas asked, they knew Graham wasn't handling it well by him wanting to get drunk, but at the moment he didn't care what they thought.
"I just need my brain to stop buzzing and be numb for a night and then I'll work through it in a better way. If you ever go through something like this then you can judge my decisions."
"I'm not looking down on you man, we're just worried about you." Lucas said and the others agreed.
"This doesn't change who you are inside, you know that right? You're still the same guy, just with a past that is different." Noah said.
His housemates gave their encouragement and then they agreed to help Graham not have to deal with his crazy life for a while by playing a video game. Graham was grateful for that and felt Noah was right, having everyone know sooner than later was the better idea. Then he didn't have to worry about how to tell them. Elijah and Lucas left about five for their prior engagement and 45 minutes later when Gina texted to let him know they were on their way over everyone else made themselves scarce to give Graham and his family privacy.
Nervous didn't begin to describe Graham's feeling. He wondered what to call this emotional rollercoaster going on inside him. He didn't worry for long as there came a knock on the door.
'Just breathe, you can do this' Graham told himself as he walked to the door and opened it. There on the porch was Gina, an older version of Gina and an older version of himself. 'Now I know what I'll look like in 20 years' he thought to himself. Graham welcomed them, gestured for them to come in and noticed that they were carrying take out bags. He offered to take Gina's from her and led them to the dining area.
After they had unloaded their bags onto the table, silence hung in the air.
Gina was the first to speak, "Mom, Dad, this is Graham aka Grant. Graham, Russell and Samantha Reynolds aka Mom and Dad."
Samantha spoke, "Can I give you a hug?" Graham nodded and as he wrapped his arms around his Mom, he knew she was really his Mom and felt peace. After a few seconds, they opened their arms to let Russell and Gina join the hug. Tears were streaming down Samantha's face.
They broke apart and Graham invited everyone to sit. He'd already gotten place settings out so they could eat when they felt like it and so he wouldn't have to leave to get them.
"Son we are so glad we finally found you. I'd almost given up hope." Samantha gushed out. "I'm so sorry that I lost you in the park that day."
"My life hasn't been amazing, but I was never abused or anything, it was pretty normal I'd say. I'm sorry for the grief you have gone through. I can't imagine the pain you've experienced while I lived a sheltered but decent life."
"We'd like to meet the person who raised you." Russell interjected.
"That may not be possible." Graham said and as they looked at him puzzled he went on to explain his discovery that afternoon.
"So she's just gone?" Gina asked.
"Apparently." Graham answered. "And I thought I knew her." He shook his head and wondered if she left any explanation with the stuff she left with Chase. Maybe he'd have to head up there sooner than later.
"So tell us about your childhood, we'd love to hear about life growing up for you." Samantha said.
Graham started telling all about his life growing up, and as he did so he started to understand why they lived in a tiny town, never traveled except to remote places and why his Aunt was opposed to him leaving for college. Things that didn't really make sense with her explanations started to click into place. His narration was occasionally interrupted by questions from his parents and Gina. He'd pulled out his phone and showed them the satellite imagery of the place he'd grown up so his stories made more sense. As he'd talked they had divided the food and started eating. Graham was glad he was the main one talking as it didn't seem weird that he wasn't eating much and by the time he was done, he found he was actually able to eat the plate of food before him.
"We weren't prepared to actually meet you on this trip," Samantha explained "We only came to let Gina know that there was a match for her brother. We were shocked she knew you as she hadn't let us know because she didn't want us to get our hopes up again just to have them squashed. But we have your memory book from when you were a baby and pictures that we can bring and show you. Although I'd love to see pictures of you growing up, if you have any. I'd guess they were in the items left behind with your friend."
"Actually I packed up all my stuff during Spring Break this year and have it here. It's boxed up but if you want to come back tomorrow afternoon, say about 2 I can show some of it to you."
"We'd love that." Samantha said.
A little while later they left and Graham was surprised that 4 hours had passed. While 10 wasn't late for him, he was tired after the emotional day. As he'd promised his housemates, he let them know his family was gone.