Chapter 7 - The first test
We did not use a drugstore kit first.
Victoria’s attorney recommended a laboratory accredited for relationship testing.
My attorney recommended the same.
Yes.
I hired an attorney.
Her name was Elena Brooks.
Thirty-eight.
Family-law background with adoption and identity cases.
She said:
“Until we have confirmation, do not give anyone original documents.”
Good.
Victoria gave a sample.
I gave mine.
Ethan volunteered too, mostly to extinguish any lingering public speculation about biological relation.
Results came four days later.
Victoria Ashford:
Probability of maternity greater than 99.99%.
I read it twice.
Then a third time.
My hands began shaking.
Ethan’s comparison showed no biological sibling relationship.
Also expected.
Still good to have on paper.
Elena asked:
“Do you want Victoria here?”
“No.”
“Ethan?”
“Yes.”
He came to my apartment.
I handed him the report.
He read.
Sat beside me.
Neither of us spoke for almost five minutes.
Then I said:
“My mother is alive.”
Ethan looked at me.
“Yes.”
“No. Marian is dead.”
He understood.
May you like
I was not choosing between them.
I was discovering that the word mother had split.
