Author Note: I have always wanted to write a story about Carmen's parents, so here it goes.

Usual Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I do not own the character of Carmen Sandiego, Malcolm Avalon and events described in the cartoon. They are owned by whoever owns Cookie Jar (WOEICS) and the Learning Company (Carmen Sandiego franchise).

She was the apple of my eye, but having her out of wedlock didn't fare well with my parents. They said it brought shame to the family name, since it was so predominate in the community. Carmen is the product of a beautiful relationship that transpired between me and an older man. My parents shunned the idea of our relationship, but what I saw in him was compassion, intelligence and humor. Qualities that are more important than physical age. When Carmen was born it has the happiest day of my life. After I first laid my eyes on her I knew she was someone special. I named her after her father's mother. Where she got her last name is still a mystery to me.

Sadly, her father died a couple months after her birth. He was a brilliant man; I think I told you that, at that time he was working on something that is known as the C-5 corridor. It was years beyond what the current period technology could provide, but using his schematics the ACME technological team was able to build it.

He told me that I made him the happiest man on earth, as he never had any children with any other women. I smiled and reassured that him the she will be taken good care of, then I kissed him goodbye. Two years passed and everyday felt like a blessing. She got all of her best qualities from her father including her piercing blue eyes. Everything else she got from me.

When I would come home from work she would run to me yelling "Mama, Mama" and holding out her little arms for me to pick her up. I would do anything to get that back. Now, I often wonder if she found out that I was alive, would she do the same thing? I have old acquaintances from ACME who found out through the grapevine that Carmen thought Malcolm Avalon was her father. At first it saddened me to know this, but I guess it is better to know her supposed father is alive and her mother is dead.

I can just hear her asking me the big question as to why I gave her up. Well, that is a sad story in itself. When she was 2 she got pneumonia and had an extremely high temperature. It caused her to lose her memory. The doctor said that she is lucky to be alive, and that there is not much hope in her memory returning. The only best bet is was to surround herself with familiar people and things to make her feel comfortable.

The sad part is that I got sick and was hospitalized for 2 weeks. When I came out I learned that my parents gave my baby to an all girl orphanage. It broke my heart in two, and I went there to get her back but they had strict orders not to let her see me. I tried to battle it in court, but the papers were signed and sealed. My parents have friends in very high places and gave substantial amounts of money to the orphanage for her care.

I was able to receive reports on how she was doing. She got along with the other girls very well and was very gifted in many ways. When she was about 8 I learned that Ted Kennedy was going to visit San Francisco. I made some calls and asked if he could give a teddy bear to Carmen. I had the back of the eyes etched with the words "To my baby girl, Love Mom" and had them sewn in place. I wonder if she still has that bear?

When she turned 13, ACME was beginning a Junior Detective program so I put her application in to be selected. The Chief visited the orphanage and presented Carmen with the idea and she was ecstatic. When I heard this I was overjoyed. She became an impressive detective, solving more cases than anyone else. And when she brought in the notorious Gunnar Maelstrom her grandparents couldn't have been more pleased. I even thought they wanted to tell her the truth, but we argued and nothing came of it.

Then she left ACME and became who she is today my parents were beside themselves and knew they made the right decision. I would lie awake at night thinking what was going through her mind, and if I was only there to talk to her. That's what she needed was my love to guide her, but I am glad she became a strong woman than a meek one like her mother.

We meet briefly a month ago, walking down the street. She wasn't wearing her usual getup, but I knew it was her. Our eyes locked for a few seconds as we passed, like we had known each other for years but couldn't place how. I was too much of a coward to say something.

I am holding a picture of her and I when she was 1 ½. I am sitting down and she is sitting on my lap wearing a blue jumpsuit dress and her black curly hair in pigtails. We look like two peas in a pod. I stare at this picture every day and still am working on the courage to send it to her.

You are probably wondering who I am.

My name is Sharon Acme, daughter of Charles and Susan Acme, founders of ACME Detective Agency.