"Thank you for the interview, okay John, back to you."
"...And cut! That's a wrap great job you guys."
The camera men began putting their equipment away. Connie Davis, the reporter, shook hands with the Epps family. Six-year-old Charlie stood
Between his mother and older brother Don, looking down at the floor.
"Isn't this cool Charlie? We're going to be on TV.!"
Twelve-year Don grinned at his brother. His excitement diminished when Charlie didn't return his smile.
He had been very quiet during the interview, as if his mind were someplace else. Don wondered what could be wrong.
"Are you okay Charlie?"
Charlie nodded.
"Yeah, I guess I'm just tired, that's all."
He went upstairs. Hanging on the walls of the hallway were family pictures. Charlie took down a recent photo of a vacation to Disneyland. Taking it into his room he sat on the bed and studied it. In his mind he heard his mother's answer to the interviewer's question:
"I have no idea where he got this gift. No one on either side of our families are like this."
Charlie wiped away a tear. No one else in the family had his gift. Where did it come from then? A thought occurred to him. Maybe...maybe the people downstairs weren't his real family after all. Maybe he was adopted. It was a logical explanation. But why didn't his real parents want him?
Don knocked on the door.
"Hey Charlie, mom wants to know if you want to get Chinese food tonight."
"Donnie, tell me the truth. Am I...adopted?" Charlie looked up.
Don sat down next to his brother. "Of course not! I remember mom being pregnant with you. She even let me feel you kick."
Well, then there was a mix up at the h-hospital or s-something. It does happen, I saw it on the news." Charlie started crying."
Don hugged his brother.
"It may happen sometimes but it didn't happen this time. Where did you get such ideas from anyway?"
Charlie had his face buried in Don's shoulder, and his voice was
muffled.
"Mom s-said she didn't know where m-my math skills came from. I'm the only one in the family who's like this. So I must not be from this family."
Don felt his heart break. He knew Charlie had it rough sometimes, but to actually think he wasn't a member of this family? Don picked up the photograph.
"We might not share the same math skills, but we do look alike. Especially you and mom. Look, same hair, same eyes, same smile, you're definatly
her kid."
Rose Epps came upstairs.
"What's taking you guys so long? Charlie! What's wrong sweetie?"
She sat down on the other side of the bed.
"Charlie thinks there was a mix-up and you took the wrong kid home. I tried telling him that it wasn't true, but I don't think he believes me."
Rose wrapped her arms around Charlie and stroked his hair.
"Charlie, of course you're my son! You're the same little baby that I held in my arms back at the hospital. You are my special little boy with an
amazing gift. I love you very much."
She wrapped an arm around Don.
"Both of you."
TBC
