Closure
It had been close to ten and a half years since Ruby and Shannon Tannenbaum adopted Henry, and since then, a lot has changed. Henry had grown into a fine young man, with a full head of black hair, a mouth full of teeth, and a good game of baseball, since he played for the Little League team. Luan and Benny had a second child; a boy they named William, after Shakespeare, and at age six, he was attending elementary school, along with his sister Jasmine, Henry's best friend. The two sets of parents often joked that they might end up as more than friends one day. Spencer and his wife had a little girl named Gwen, completing their nuclear family, and Leo and Lyberti welcomed a boy they named Kyle. It truly felt like Drama Club: The Next Generation.
Much had also changed outside of their friend group, such as Lola Loud becoming Mayor of Royal Woods. It was a good thing Lola had grown out of her 'bratty' phase long ago, or this would be a major cause for concern. Luckily, Lola proved to be more than competent and fair. It was obvious that Lola remembered Right Path all too well, because she ran a new model that actually enforced and expanded the separation of church and state. She had made it so that, while people were still entitled to practice privately or within religious buildings, their beliefs could not influence society as a whole. In short, religious beliefs could not touch educational curriculums, business practices, the criminal justice system, politics, employment prospects, and the practice of medicine. She also made sure that churches paid their fair share in taxes and assigned financial officers to ensure that no more clerical funds were being diverted to places like Right Path ever again. To put the cherry on top, she made sure all clerics undergo the same background checks as education workers, all to prevent crazies, or worse, got into positions where they would be near children.
Surprisingly, though not to Shannon because she had experience dealing with this subject in her therapist's office, Lola introduced new laws that made polyamory not only a viable lifestyle choice, but also afforded those practicing the same rights as monogamous couples, including the right to marry multiple partners, of any gender. This made her VERY unpopular with conservatives, but then again, so did her approach to church/state separation, and Lola Loud had no time for those still stuck in the past. Lola chose her wording of these laws carefully. She found a 'best of both worlds' solution where polyamorous practitioners could choose one female partner and one male partner to marry. This placated a few open-minded voters, but critics were quick to point out that two of her siblings were engaged in such relationships and accused her of favouritism. However, Lola made light of these unfounded claims by informally dubbing such a move 'pulling a Lynn'.
But this was not the subject of today's story. Ruby and Shannon greeted Henry upon his return from a hard day of fifth grade, and the three of them were gathered around the dinner table discussing their day. Henry chose this moment to bring up the topic of his latest school assignment.
"We're doing birth stories at school over the next few days. Mine is not due until the end of next week. Do you know anything about my birth that I can use?" Henry inquired. This made Ruby and Shannon quite nervous. In the time since they welcomed Henry into their home, they had not broached the topic of his origins to him. It wasn't something they were proud of, but they figured that the story of his birth parents would be traumatising on the boy they had grown so close to. On top of all that, they had to explain how a total stranger left Henry with them, only for Ruby and Shannon to give him up to authorities and then fight for him in court. However, they always knew the truth would come out some day, and with this birth story assignment, they figured now was the best time. After all, Henry was eleven, and they were sure he could handle it.
"Henry, do you know the basics of…errrrrrr…..human reproduction?" Shannon asked tentatively. Henry winced a bit when he heard this.
"Please don't tell me you're giving me the talk, Mama Shannon," Henry pleaded.
"Oh, heavens no. Not yet, anyway. Not until you're much older. I think Mama Shannon just wants to know if you know that two women can't make a baby," Ruby calmed.
"We got that far. Principal Johnson made it very clear that only men and women can make babies the natural way, but that kids can also have two mums or two dads via adoption or donors," Henry relayed.
"Exactly, so you should know that we didn't conceive you, if you get what I mean," Shannon clarified.
"Yes, I do, Mama Shannon. Please move on," Henry requested.
"With pleasure. The subject of your birth is complicated. We weren't there when you were born. We don't know which hospital you decided to make your debut in. We also didn't know your biological parents, and sadly, we never will," Shannon told Henry.
"We do know where they're buried, what their names were. If you like, we could go see their graves. We always knew we'd have to tell you some day," Ruby invited.
"You mean my biological parents are dead?" Henry probed.
"I'm afraid so, sport. It is beyond tragic that you never knew them, but from what we gathered, they were good people, taken from us far too soon," Ruby consoled.
"I'm sure they were. I would love to see their grave site, and hear the story, for my report, of course," Henry accepted.
"Yeah, we might need to see Principal Johnson before you present it, though. Some parts of your story are a little dark," Ruby advised.
"How dark are we talking?" Henry probed.
After dinner, the Tannenbaum family went out to purchase some flowers and took Henry to the cemetery where his birth parents were buried. Along the way, Ruby and Shannon told him pretty much everything. His birth parents were named Thomas and Katie Barsonthor. They came to Royal Woods to hide from the group known as Right Path, after Ruby, Shannon, and the Louds decimated the organisation. Henry's parents gave evidence in their original home that allowed authorities to conduct loads of arrests. They would've gotten his uncle, had he and his aunt not fled. Six months after Henry was born, his uncle killed his parents in their sleep and forced his aunt to destroy evidence in the fire but leave Henry untouched. After Henry was retrieved from the rubble, a Rabbi who realised what he would face had he been left with his uncle, left him with the Tannenbaums, prompting Ruby to fight for custody of him in court and win. The ensuing investigation finally collared Henry's villainous uncle and set free his long-suffering aunt, who was living happily in Minnesota. Henry found this a lot to take in but listened intently.
"I still don't get who these 'Right Path' people were," Henry stated.
"Bad people, very bad people. They were a cult that did not like….. well….. people like us. Tell me something, have you gotten to World War Two in History class yet?" Ruby broached.
"Yeah, bits and pieces, though we had to start with the events leading up to it. I still don't get how someone like the Fuhrer could get the power and following he did," Henry replied.
"Believe me, it happens. Right Path weren't so different from him and his followers. The only difference is they tolerated Jewish and all other religions, they just didn't like those that romanced the same gender, like we did. They had an outlandish view on purity, and they were willing to go to extremes, even harming children, to make it a reality, which is why their beliefs and resources had to be destroyed. Even my grandparents had to go down. No matter how much I loved them, what they were doing was wrong," Shannon explained.
"Do you have to keep referring to them as your grandparents? They gave up that title when they tricked you into that den of horrors," Ruby emphasised.
"If they hadn't, Right Path would still be operating. In the end, like all tyrants, they brought about their own downfall," Shannon responded.
"Your own family put you through that? I'm with Mama Ruby. They don't deserve the time of day," Henry asserted.
"It doesn't matter. They're dead now, and every bit of harm that was done by them and their ilk is washing away. They'll just be another footnote in history. Enough of the black sheep in my family. We're here to see yours, dear Henry," Shannon rebuffed. She handed Henry the bouquet they bought earlier, and Henry went over to his biological parents' grave. They shared a plot and headstone, which read the following:
Thomas and Katie Thompson
Beloved parents, brave souls, together for all eternity
"Wait a second, Thompson? I thought you said my name was Barsonthor," Henry recalled.
"When your parents gave evidence against their family, they had to give up the name 'Barsonthor' and adopt the name 'Thompson', for their own safety, but it didn't work for long," Ruby clarified.
"Great. I'm the kid with three names, though 'Tannenbaum' is easier to remember," Henry remarked. He then knelt down to face the headstone. "Hey Mum, hey Dad. Funny. I only remember having two mums, and now here I am. Mama Ruby and Mama Shannon told me your story, how you faced down evil and helped end a lot of suffering. In a way, I feel proud to be your kid, but even prouder to be a Tannenbaum. Watch over me, Mum and Dad. I'll make you just as proud of me as I am of you," Henry vowed. He then turned to face his adoptive mothers. "Thanks for bringing me here," Henry added gratefully.
"Any time. Now, let's finish that report," Shannon resolved.
Before long, Henry's birth report was done. Because of the subject matter, Ruby and Shannon had requested a meeting with Principal Johnson to discuss what could be told in class and what was best left out. Principal Johnson had expected this. Owing to her job as an educator, she had been briefed about Henry's circumstances. She also read about it in the paper when it happened all those years ago.
"I had wondered when we'd get to this. You should know that your teacher also knows about your family history. We all have, ever since you started kindergarten," Johnson braced.
"I get why you never told me, Principal Johnson. It made for uncomfortable hearing," Henry responded.
"I'm sure it did. You know, you don't have to do this. A few words from me and I can have you made exempt from the assignment," Johnson offered.
"It is nice of you to offer, Principal Johnson, but I'm already done. It would seem like a waste if I didn't give a presentation," Henry replied.
"Can we omit the murder and cultist, black sheep relatives?" Ruby asked.
"The other kids will ask where Henry's biological parents are. I still remember Clyde having to duck questions about his mother," Johnson recalled.
"We could simply say his parents aren't around anymore and that Henry never knew them. It would still be true, and the other kids might be sympathetic enough not to press the issue," Shannon suggested.
"That would be best. You won't have to mention Right Path or your villainous uncle, and you can honour your parents' memory. What do you think, Henry?" Johnson posed.
"That's doable, but in case anyone asks, I'd like some back-up," Henry agreed.
"Absolutely. I'll let your teacher know what to watch out for. You've got this, kiddo," Johnson encouraged.
When it was Henry's turn to give his report, he took to the front of the class and delved into his origins. He made sure to leave out all the murder, domestic abuse, homophobia, court appearances, and jail sentences that came with his story. He did tell the class that his birth parents died in a house fire and that he miraculously survived, that he was never told the root cause of the fire, and that his adoptive mothers won custody of him. That seemed to sate everyone's curiosity, plus the other kids noted the tone in his voice when he brought up his birth parents and decided for themselves that it was a sensitive subject and let the matter be.
"In conclusion, while I would've liked to have known my birth parents, the family I have now is more than enough for me. My mothers have often said that they are proud of who I am and who I will become in the future. For now, I am content with just being Henry Tannenbaum. That is all," Henry finished his report to a round of applause from everyone, especially his teacher.
"Well done, Henry. A. We appreciate that the topic of your birth parents is a sad one, and I also appreciate that no-one here pressed the issue any further. We will be hearing the rest of your birth stories tomorrow. Class dismissed," the teacher praised as the bell rang, signalling the end of the day. Everyone filed out of the classroom and Henry and Jasmine walked side by side towards the school bus that would take them home.
"That was a really interesting birth story. A lot more impressive than mine," Jasmine compared Henry's story to her own.
"Don't sell yourself short, Jazz. Not everyone can say they had nine aunts and an uncle waiting for them in the hospital," Henry replied.
"Not to mention cousin Arthur and cousin Sharna. To hear Aunt Lori and Aunt Leni tell it, they were the most excited to meet me," Jasmine recollected.
"I'm actually a little envious. I don't have any siblings, but you have a little brother, a whole load of cousins, and an army of aunts and uncles. Doesn't it get to be a bit much sometimes?" Henry wondered.
"A little, but you get used to it. Good thing Uncle Lincoln taught me his planning skills," Jasmine remarked. The two laughed for a bit before Jasmine had a question on her mind. "Henry, how do you feel now that you know your true origins?" Jasmine asked. Even though the class as a whole were told the more watered-down version of Henry's origin story, he did tell Jasmine the whole truth in confidence. Henry took a while to come to an answer. It was still a lot for him to process, but with the help of his mothers, he was getting there.
"A little sad that my parents were taken from me in such a horrific way. Very peeved at my uncle, satisfied that he's rotting in jail while I'm living my best life, but above all else, grateful to Mama Ruby and Mama Shannon for rescuing me from…..an alternative outcome," Henry reflected.
"That is best not thought about. My mum once told me my family has made all sorts of bad decisions over the years, including one that nearly tore the family apart beyond all hope of repair, but she also told me that dwelling on what could've been isn't healthy. She's often said she's thankful for what she has now, because things could've been much different. There was a period of time where my Uncle Lincoln resented his sisters, including my mum, when they were younger, but with time, and a lot of counselling, they got through it," Jasmine recalled.
"Mama Shannon has always said the sun shines brightest after a storm," Henry mused.
"Yes. Yes it does," Jasmine agreed. They saw their respective parents waiting for them at the school entrance. Henry beamed at his mothers, embracing them in a warm hug before leaving in their car, ever thankful for the life he has now.
Author's note: I know, I should be halting the Sharuby Saga for the foreseeable future. Yes, I am aware that I am interrupting 'Those Left Behind' to write this. Well, the 3rd anniversary of the Sharuby Saga is upon us and, as a co-pilot, I would be remiss if I didn't mark the occasion with something. I settled on the Tannenbaum's adopted son finally learning his origins while also stealing a plot point from 'Not a Loud'. I believe Grace has something in mind as well, so keep an eye out for that. The usual disclaimers, I own nothing. All properties belong to their respective owners. Enjoy.