I thought I knew how our new family would work when I married Ben, who was divorced and had a young son named Lucas. “My real mum still lives here,” Lucas said in an innocent but frightening way, and it really scared me.
At first, I thought it was just a silly dream, but as more and more strange things happened.
Lucas would sometimes call me “Mom,” and Ben and I would both smile with pride. But Lucas’s serious voice and wide eyes one night made me stop and think.
He whispered, “My real mum still lives here,” and his hold on my hand got tighter.
Even though I told myself it was just a dream, the doubt was there.
As time went on, I noticed some strange things: the toys were moved around, the kitchen cabinets were put back together the way they were, and Irene’s picture was moved from where it usually was.
“You’re just dreaming,” Ben said in answer, but that didn’t convince me.
Lucas said in a whisper one night, “Mom says you shouldn’t touch her things.” When he looked worriedly down the hallway, it sent chills down my spine.
I went into the attic without permission to look for clues because I was determined to find the truth.
I went into the secret room and saw Ben’s sister Emily sitting on a twin bed, her eyes fixed on mine.
I was shocked to learn that Emily had been hiding in the attic for three years and talking to Lucas on the phone from time to time, making him think that his mum was still alive.
Ben’s silence and Emily’s acts shocked me.
“We can’t act like nothing is wrong,” I told Ben, my voice shaking.
We all put up a camera outside of Emily’s door, and the tape showed the disturbing truth: Emily was keeping Lucas’s fantasy alive.
Ben’s face turned down as he watched the film. “This is too much.” She needs to be stopped.
Ben broke his heart when he told Lucas the truth, and we got Emily professional help.
Even though it was hard, the trip brought Ben and me closer together because we loved each other and wanted to heal our family.
It was hard for Lucas to accept the truth at first, but he got it over time.
When I think back on our trip, I see that love and truth can beat even the deepest secrets and dreams.
How would you have handled this differently? How would you find the right mix between love, truth, and family relationships?
