Playing for Keeps by Yahrah St. John

I’ve missed you so much. Knowing that you’ve been angry with me has been agony.” Her mother gave her a big hug.
    â€œHello, Mother.” Avery quickly patted her back and moved away.
    â€œDarling, please come in.” Her mother pulled her toward the living room and sat down on the sofa. She patted a spot next to her. “Have a seat. What’s new in your life?”
    â€œThis isn’t a social visit.”
    â€œI realize that, Avery,” her mother said. “I know you’re still very upset with me.”
    â€œThat’s putting it mildly. Quite frankly, I feel like I can’t trust you, which is why I’m here.”
    Her father walked in at just that moment. “Dad.” Avery rose and accepted his kiss on the cheek. Why was it so much easier for her to forgive her dad than her mother? Avery wondered. For some reason, she held her mother responsible for keeping this deception going so long. “I was just about to explain the reason for my visit.”
    She watched his eyes widen with concern as he sat down opposite them. “Mother,” Avery began, sitting back down, “I need to tell you something and I know this may hurt, but I felt I owed it to you to tell you where my head is at.”
    â€œWhatever it is, Avery, you can just tell me,” her mother stated calmly.
    Avery inhaled and released a long breath before proceeding. “I’ve hired a private investigator to search for my birth parents and he received a copy of my original birth certificate today. Her name is Leah—”
    â€œYou did what!” Veronica Roberts rose to her feet.
    â€œI know—” Avery began but her mother interrupted.
    â€œHow could you do this to me?” Veronica shook her head in disbelief. “To your father. We’ve given you a great life. Haven’t we?” she asked, grasping Avery by the shoulders.
    She lowered her lashes. “Well, yes, but…”
    â€œWe’re your parents,” Veronica cried. “Not them. Where was this Leah person when you were crying? Or teething? Where was she when you skinned your knee?”
    Avery could feel her mother’s anguish and it caused hot tears to roll down her cheeks. She’d known it would hurt, but she hadn’t realized just how deep the cut would go. It was as if she had just sliced open a newly healed wound.
    â€œWe’re the ones that clothed you. Fed you. Loved you.”
    â€œVeronica, stop it,” her father said and stepped in between the two women, but her mother was relentless.
    â€œWas Leah at your first recital? Or your graduation? Why did you do this?” her mother shouted at her.
    â€œBecause I had to,” Avery wailed, defending herself from her mother’s tirade. “I didn’t do this to hurt you.” Avery choked back the tears. “But I need to know where I came from.”
    â€œThen go.” Her mother flung out her hand toward the door.
    â€œMother, please,” Avery said, “please, don’t be upset with me.”
    â€œJust go.” Her mother swept past her to the doorway, but not before giving one final blow. “Go find your birth parents, but I promise you it will not bring you any peace. It will bring you nothing but pain. Just like the pain you’ve caused me.” She ran up the stairs.
    â€œWhat have I done?” Avery asked, lowering herself to the couch.
    â€œYou’re doing what you have to,” her father replied matter-of-factly. He’d known this would hurt Veronica, but Avery had her mind made up. “Your mother is hurt, but in time, she’ll understand.”
    â€œI don’t know if she’ll ever forgive me for this, Dad,” Avery said, shaking her head. “You saw her.”
    â€œIn time, she will.” Her father came to her side and squeezed her shoulder. “You’ll see. She’s just hurt now, but give her time, she’ll come