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A year went by since Michelle passed away. Janet and John would visit her grave every Monday, which was the day of her funeral. They would pray and talk about how their weeks went; telling her how much she is missed.
John continued AA and was given someone for him to sponsor. He was a young man named Darren who was arrested for his third DUI. John would use the same approach Mike did with him and it was working. John, Darren, and Mike would meet for coffee after their meetings. They all talked about their struggles with alcoholism. John told Darren whenever he needed to chat to call him, and he gave him his cell phone. Darren on a few occasions did call him when he was having a tough time and John would respond, as Mike did with him.
Janet was finishing her year in the eighth grade. She continued getting good grades and playing basketball. She made it to the varsity team in eighth grade and the team won the championship, which she dedicated to her mother. She continued with the anti-bullying club, and she continued a lot of her friendships.
John came home from work and smelled dinner cooking. Janet was old enough to stay at home by herself and she was able to cook dinner for them as well. That night she was cooking stir fry. As John set up the table, he noticed Janet was unusually quiet. He figured it would come out soon as to why he was getting the cold shoulder. They both then sat down to eat.
“Dad, today at school we talked about families, and I noticed that you have never talked about my mother,” Janet said.
“We see your mother every Monday, peanut,” John said. He knew where this conversation was going. In the beginning, he would rehearse what he was going to say when this topic was brought up, but it never did. Over time he forgot what he was going to say. He just needed to figure out the right words.
“Dad, I mean my birth mother. I know you adopted me, but did you ever know my birth mother?” Janet asked.
“No, I never met your birth mother. Frankly, I never wanted to meet her and if I ever did meet her, she would have regretted it,” John said as he slammed his hand against the table.
“You are my daughter!” John said putting his fist up to his mouth, holding back the tears. The memories of her in the dumpster made him upset. He apologized for losing his temper.
“Why? Did she do something bad?” Janet said calmly.
“Yes, she did and that is how you and I met. Your birth mom did not want you and she left you. I found you one night and from there, I looked after you,” John said.
Janet paused for a moment and looked down at her food. John felt that he said too much, and she was too young to understand.
“So, in a sense, it is a good thing. Without her abandoning me, we would have never found each other,” Janet said to John’s surprise. Janet was more mature than any normal thirteen-year-old.
Janet went over to John and gave him a hug.
“I’m glad you are my dad,” Janet said as she kissed John on the cheek.
“Me too. You go on and do your homework. I will clean up,” John said as he returned a hug.