September 27, 2011:

I have a dad now.

One simple little sentence, but it changed my life. I've lived with my mother for the past 14 years. I was born in Belleville, New Jersey, and my mother kept my father a secret for the entirety of my life. Until today, I've never known anything about his even existing. My name is Ember, and this is my story.

I was raised by my mother – and it's not that she never did anything for me, because she has done everything for me – it's just that she treated me the same way since I was 5. And that's like a 5 year old. I have never had grandparents (not that they don't exist, but that they have never been part of my life). Mom says that they never forgave her for running off and getting pregnant before she finished school, so she stopped talking to them. My mom's sister cut all ties with her too. I don't even know where she lives, or my grandparents, for that matter.

Mom always worked 2 jobs. That's how it worked in this family. But now, she can't take care of me. I can't see her anymore, because she isn't here anymore. She was hit by a car after her shift at the restaurant, and died shortly after she was taken to hospital. That's all I need to say about it. Ever. I was put with a foster home a week ago, and today the social worker came and told me that my mother put him in her will. She left me to him, without even telling me his name.

So I'm being flown to California, alone, and I'm going to see my dad. I'm not sure if I look like him, or what he does for a job, and I sure as hell aren't sure as to whether I should be scared, nervous, or excited. I mean, this guy didn't even come to mom's funeral – what am I supposed to think?

Anyway, the social worker drove me to the airport, gave me my tickets, and told me my father's name so I could find him when I arrived.

My father's name is Gerard Way.