It’s difficult, at eleven, to understand the rationale of adults. Why the lies? Who are they protecting?
I know now that my “cousin” is actually my brother. This makes sense. Not just a brother, but my oldest sister’s twin! I cannot imagine the pain that separation has caused them.
I’m so excited to have brothers! I want to shout it to the rooftops, but Mom insists we tell no one, so I keep quiet.
My other brother, the one I haven’t met yet, is only five years older than me. Laurie (that’s Joanne’s twin) says he is uncertain about coming around. He says Reggie is quiet, and doesn’t understand why Mom let them go.
I don’t understand either. Isn’t family meant to be together? Then again, if Mom and her first husband didn’t divorce, I wouldn’t be around? Or would I?
The questions are mounting.
Tomorrow, we meet Reggie!
(At eleven, I discovered that my mother had actually given birth to six children, not just my sisters and I. This is our story. It begins here. To read more about my “cousin” read this entry. Image mine.)
One Woman's Quest II 
What a story, I did smile when you said “rationale” as if any adult actually had one 🙂 my goodness what convoluted web your mother has created. What a joy for you to discover brothers 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Paul. It was certainly emblematic of the times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it was like that, so many like that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is rapidly becoming a very tangled web . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, indeed! Last part coming next week.
LikeLike
Oh, the price of secrets. It’s hard as an adult to navigate, as an eleven-year-old it must have been baffling.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Baffling is a good word Linda. Now in our senior years, my one brother and I try to unravel it all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would have been a time of confusion for an eleven year old VJ. Will read your story some time soon.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, VJ.
LikeLike
Wow. Secrets never stay secrets forever. They just fester and make things worse when the truth comes out. Your poor 11 year old self doubting what to believe and what not to believe. The loss of trust!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was total loss of trust and turned out all the extended family knew (of course). Sadly, it was only the beginning of secrets to be revealed.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awful. Especially when everyone else knew for so long and you didn’t. I have a similar experience via my husband’s family and a sister he never knew about until it ended up being too late.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Then you get it. Mixed blessings.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes I do. Very mixed.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That must have been quite something! To meet your brother that you did not know about!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was. Many emotions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
💕
LikeLike
I am speechless.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yep. That’s about I felt.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I can’t imagine what it would be like at eleven years to take it all in. And I can’t imagine keeping your children a secret. It leaves me bewildered.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good word, Heather. We children remain bewildered today.
LikeLiked by 2 people
VJ, that is quite a number of unknown half-siblings. I can only imagine the surprise and concerns you had. Keith
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was certainly a loss of innocence time, Keith, thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person