Page 38 of Someone Like You
The people she used to think were her family.
For a long moment neither of them said anything. There was no easy way to share this, no gradually getting to the truth. “Connor … I’m adopted. I just found out.”
For a few seconds he only stared at her, not moving. The single sound was the lake water lapping against the shore. He shook his head, clearly worried about her. “Maddie.” He leaned in. “You’re not adopted.”
The two of them had looked through Maddie’s family photo albums. Connor had seen the same pictures Maddie had seen. Her mom holding her in her first few moments of life, her parents standing together with her in their arms as they brought her home from the hospital. Maddie still didn’t quite get it. Explaining it to Connor would be difficult.
But she had to try.
For the next ten minutes she told Connor the story of the guy at the zoo, how he had come to Indiana looking for her and how he wanted to tell her something about her biological family. Her sister London in particular.
The whole time Maddie talked, Connor didn’t say a word. Probably because it seemed too unbelievable for him to do anything but listen. So Maddie told him how she’d been scared by the guy and taken his number as a way of getting rid of him.
“Then I came home and told my parents.” Tears filled her eyes again. “I expected them to laugh. You know, brush it off. The guy obviously had me confused with someone else. But that’s not what happened.”
For the first time since they sat down, Connor lookednervous. Like the story she was telling might actually be real. He wrapped his fingers around hers. “What’d they say?”
“I … still can’t believe it.” She lifted her eyes to his. “They said it was true, Connor.”
“But what about the pictures at the hospital? Your parents brought you home when you were two days old.” The sun was starting to set and pink streaks colored the sky. “How do they explain that?”
This was the weirdest part. “I was a … frozen embryo.” She took a deep breath and tried to explain the situation the way her parents had explained it to her. “So I came from another family.”
“Wow.” Connor still had hold of her hand, but he sat back against the table and stared at the lake. “I can’t believe it.”
“I know.” Maddie sniffed a few times and wiped the wetness from her cheeks. “Like everything about my life is a lie.” The bitterness in her tone grew more intense. “Those aren’t my parents and Hayley isn’t my sister.” She hesitated. “I’m not a West and I’m definitely not a Baxter.”
Connor faced her. “Now wait a minute.” He put one hand on her cheek. “You can’t think like that, Maddie.”
She felt herself stiffen. “What?”
“This is a big deal. I get it.” Connor searched her eyes. “Sure, you might have different DNA, but they’re your family. Absolutely.”
“Seriously?” Maddie pulled away from him. “That’s how you feel?” She stood and crossed her arms. “My parents tell me, ‘Oh, hey. By the way, you’re adopted. You were a frozen embryo from some other couple.’?” She stared at him. “And you tell me it’s no big deal?”
He stood. “Maddie, I’m on your side. I’m just … trying to be a voice of reason.”
A scream was building on the inside and Maddie couldn’t do anything about it. “I need to go.” She stepped away from him and held up her hands. “You don’t understand. No one does.”
“You can’t leave.” His smile faded. “You’re my ride.”
She loved him, but he didn’t understand. Not this time. Her knees shook, and the cool breeze off the lake made her teeth chatter. Her mind was spinning. “Connor.” She sat back down on the bench. “My whole world is caving in.” She looked up at him. “Don’t you see?”
Concern flashed in Connor’s eyes, but he shook his head. “To be honest, no. You were born to your mother.” He squinted. “So I don’t see why you’re so angry. You belong to the family you’re in.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “But I love you, Maddie. And I’m here for you. Whatever that looks like.”
Maddie should’ve been thankful. But that’s not how she felt. She wanted Connor to get upset along with her, to accuse her parents of betraying her and basing her whole life on a lie. But he didn’t understand.
The sky was getting dark, the air cooler. After a minute Maddie stood. “I need to go.”
“Okay.” He wove his fingers between hers like before but they weren’t close to connected. She drove this time and neither of them talked on the ride back. When they pulled up in front of his apartment Maddie realized something. None of this was Connor’s fault. She couldn’t be upset with him. She wasn’t, really.
She was numb.
“I made things worse. I’m sorry.” He leaned over and tried to kiss her, but she pulled back.
“I just … I need time.” Maddie’s heart skipped a few beats. She couldn’t wait to leave.
“Maddie.” He sat back in his seat. “You said this wasn’t about us.”
