“I saw the hospital and the dates.”
“Tom and I worked with the caseworker. After you agreed to provide that cheek swab last week, they arranged a preliminary family-relationship test. They told us it might help clarify Ellie’s medical history.”
“Tom and I worked with the caseworker.”
I remembered signing the consent form and giving the cheek swab. Nora had explained that the records review suggested a possible family connection, though nobody could tell us how close it might be.
I’d agreed because Ellie deserved an accurate medical history. I’d never imagined what the result might say.
Nobody could tell us how close it might be.
Nora slid the report toward me.
I read the names.
Mine.
Ellie’s.
Then the conclusion.
The preliminary genetic comparison indicated a parent-child biological relationship.
I read the names.
I read it again.
“That’s impossible.”
Nora began crying.
“Claire, I think Ellie is Lucy.”
