Yesterday's Child

Chapter Two "Brothers and Sisters"

Elise settled into the breakroom after a much needed lunch with Det. Sanchez. She could be in for a long wait this afternoon he had warned. She assured him that after thirty years, she could endure a few more hours. Growing restless, she came upon a Sports Illustrated featuring the Dodgers that was several years old. "Hmm that should occupy me for a few minutes" she thought.

Having found his usual study space in use, Rusty hoped the quiet of the breakroom and some much needed caffeine would spark an idea for his first college term paper.

"I hope you don't mind if I study here," he asked as he put his coins into the pop machine.

"Not at all." She replied," I could use some company."

Then in unison they said something about waiting on their mothers,

.

Rusty laughed, "I'm an expert at that." He took his laptop and several books out of his brief case and placed them on the table.

"Ahh, a college student." She observed.

"Yes, first year, I guess you would know that from my books"

"That and the glazed look in your eyes," she laughed, I'm Elise , by the way."

"Rusty Beck" he said as he shook her hand.

"Have you decided on a major yet?" She asked.

" I worked as a PA on Badge of Justice last summer. I'm thinking something to do with film. So what do you do when you're not waiting in a breakroom for your mother?"

"I'm a software engineer for my father's company by day and a music and ballet teacher by night. One feeds my body and the other feeds my soul"

Rusty arched a brow and smiled, "Wow. You could be my brother and sister rolled into one person."

A wistful smile crossed her lips, "It must have been wonderful to grow up with siblings."

" Well, um, I actually grew up as an only child. It's complicated."

" All the best stories are." She smiled sympathetically.

Rusty recalled the past events of his life leading up to his adoption, carefully leaving out the more sordid details. Feeling somewhat awkward at having disclosed so much, he decided to throw the conversational ball back into her court. "Do you have brothers or sisters?,"he asked.

" I don't really know. I was adopted also and grew up as an only child. I often dreamt of what it would be like to have a big family." She stared at the worn magazine.

" If I've learned anything, it's that family isn't about blood. It is about the ones you love and the ones who will love you back no matter what."

" Rusty, do you feel like your real mother loves you?"

"I know she does. She just loves the drugs and alcohol more. What about you? You're adopted, what do you know of your real mother?"

"All I can tell you for sure is that she left me. One day, without warning, she was gone."

Rusty knew well the pain of abandonment. He hurt for her broken heart. It was at that moment, he realized how completely Sharon had saved him. He promised himself that he would tell her soon how thankful he was that she loved him as one of her own.

Sharon popped her head into the breakroom. After a quick nod to the woman seated at the far table, she called to Rusty, "Get your things together. I'm almost ready to go and I'm starving. Don't make me wait on you."

Rusty rolled his eyes. "Can you come in a minute please, there's someone I'd like you to meet."

She stepped inside, extending her hand in greeting. Then, as their eyes locked, she stopped. There was a familiarity about this stranger. An odd feeling overtook her.

" Sharon, this is Elise. Elise, this is Sharon, my adoptive mom."

"Sharon…..Sharon,"she stammered " my …my mo…"

Sharon cut her off before she could finish her sentence. Her breath was rapid and shallow. She felt the color draining out of her face and the life draining out of what was left of her soul.

" You shouldn't have come" was all Sharon could say. She turned on her heels and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.