Chapter 2:
Michael went downstairs to find Sara, Brittney, and Matthew in the kitchen. Brittney was helping Sara with the cake.
" So what does the birthday girl want to do?" Michael asked.
" I don't know," Brittney said," How about the Science Museum?" Brittney asked.
" Sounds great," Matthew said," Or do I have to stay home and have a baby sitter?"
Sara and Michael laughed.
" We could call your Uncle Lincoln and Aunt Veronica to stay with you," Sara said.
" No," Brittney said," Matthew can come. It wouldn't be fair to leave him out."
Matthew got up and put his bowl in the sink, then hugged his sister.
" When are we going?" Matthew asked," Soon?"
" In a little while," Michael said.
Matthew went out of the room and back upstairs.
" That's nice of you," Sara said," To let your brother come along."
Brittney happened to smile.
" You are growing up," Sara said," Enough to know something."
Michael looked at Sara.
" What?" Brittney asked," What is it?"
Sara put the cake in the oven.
" Come sit on the sofa," Sara said.
Brittney did and Sara and Michael sat down too.
" Something is wrong," Brittney said," Are you mad at me? Did I do something wrong?"
Michael smiled at his daughter.
" You, do something wrong?" Michael asked," No, it's not you."
Brittney felt like she was empty.
" You aren't splitting up are you?" Brittney asked," Am I adopted?"
" No," Sara told her," On both counts."
" Then what's wrong?" Brittney asked," I know there's something."
Sara put her arms around her.
" You are so insightful," Sara said," Like your father."
" And beautiful like your mother," Michael added.
Brittney didn't know what to think.
" Will you tell me?" Brittney said," It's obvious you want to say something."
Michael and Sara both sighed, the truth was going to be hard to take. It was already hard to say.
" Brittney," Sara said," You're 13 now. Not a child. There is something you should know. It's how your father and I met."
Brittney looked at the both of them.
" I don't understand," Brittney said," You told me you met in a hospital. Was that wrong?"
Michael didn't know what to add to that.
" Sweetheart," Michael said," It wasn't a hospital, it was an infirmary."
" You mean like at a campground?" Brittney asked.
" Not exactly," Sara said.
Brittney was more confused. Sara felt tears in her eyes.
" Mom," Brittney said.
Sara shook her head," I can't tell her Michael," she said," You have to tell her."
" Sara," Michael said.
Sara and Michael looked at their confused daughter. Michael took her hand in his.
" It was prison," Michael told her.
Brittney was shocked," Prison?" she asked," Dad, you were in prison?"
" Yes," Michael said.
" What..what did you do?" Brittney asked.
" He robbed a bank," Sara told her.
Brittney looked at her father, but then got up.
" Brittney," Sara said," Now you know. Do you understand? We didn't tell you before because we were trying to protect you."
Brittney felt tears in her eyes.
" My father was once in jail," Brittney said," My parents are liars."
" Brittney," Sara said getting up.
" No," Brittney said," I can't take this."
Brittney then ran up the stairs and into her room. Michael and Sara heard a door slam.
" That didn't go well Michael," Sara said.
" Brittney is devestated," Michael said," Give her time to herself. After some time, things may calm down."
Sara wasn't so sure about that.