The DNA test turned my world upside down. I remember staring at the computer screen, trying to make sense of the results. My mind told me they were wrong, but my heart… my heart instantly knew that life would never be the same again.
My name is Billy, and up until a few days ago, I thought I was living in a dream. I am an only child and my parents have always showered me with love and attention. They gave me everything I could ever want or need.
Just last week my dad gave me the latest gaming console for no reason.
‘What’s it for?’ I asked, eyes wide with excitement.
He only shrugged and smiled. ‘Do I need a reason to spoil my favourite son?’
‘Your only son, you mean,’ Mum grinned.
‘All the more reason to spoil him!’ Dad laughed, ruffling my hair.
It had always been like this. The three of us lived a perfect life. Perfect until I stumbled upon a fateful fact.
It all started the day I turned 18. I decided to take one of those ancestral DNA tests. You know, the ones that say you’re 2% Viking or something. I was just curious, nothing more. I didn’t expect it to change my life.
The day the results came in, I was literally jumping for joy. I refreshed my email every few minutes, waiting for the notification.
‘Billy, honey, you’re going to put a hole in the floor if you keep jumping like that,’ Mum called out from the kitchen.
“I’m sorry, mum! I’m just really excited about the DNA test results!”
Finally the letter arrived.
I felt my heart pounding as I clicked on it. I was so excited, not realising that what I would see next would change my life forever.
There in black and white was a close match notice. A brother. Daniel.
I blinked, rubbed my eyes, and looked again. This had to be a mistake! It had to be, right? I’m an only child. I’ve always been an only child.
In a daze, I picked up my phone and dialled the company helpline number. Perhaps there had been some confusion.
‘Hello, how can I help you?’ – A cheerful voice answered.
‘Hello, I’ve just received my results and it seems there may be a mistake here?’ said I, not sure if I was doing the right thing.
“I assure you sir, our tests are 100% accurate. We double check all the results before we send them out.”
‘Oh, good,’ I said. ‘Thank you.’
I hung up and looked at the results again. This couldn’t be happening. How could I have a brother I didn’t know about?
I needed answers, and I knew who to ask.
That night I waited for Dad to get home from work. I rushed downstairs as soon as I heard his car pull up in the driveway.
I let him walk into the living room and then followed him inside.
“Hey, Dad? Can we talk?”
He looked at me with a smile on his face. “Sure, kiddo. What’s on your mind?”
‘Well, remember that DNA test I took?’ I said, rubbing my shirt.
He nodded.
‘I got the results back today and…’ I paused, not knowing how to continue. ‘Dad, do you know someone named Daniel?’
At that moment, I realised something was wrong. The expression on my father’s face changed in an instant. His eyes widened and all the colour drained from his cheeks.
‘Where did you hear that name?’ – He asked, looking around to make sure Mum wasn’t around.
I told him about the test results. As I spoke, I watched his expression change. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then said something I wasn’t expecting.
‘Listen,’ he said in a low voice, “don’t tell Mum about this, okay? She doesn’t know. I had an affair years ago. If she finds out, she’ll leave.”
I nodded, promising not to say anything. But when I got back to my room, something wasn’t right.
My father’s reaction seemed strange to me. Like there was more to the story than he was telling.
That night I couldn’t sleep. I looked at the test results and wondered what to do next.
Should I…should I write to him?” I thought.
To write to him would be to go against my father. But I couldn’t think of any other way to find out the truth.
So I immediately clicked on his profile and contacted him.
To my surprise, he replied within half an hour.
Billy? Is that really you? I can’t believe it!
We exchanged a few messages, and before I knew it, we had agreed to meet at a café the next day.
Was I right to go behind my father’s back?
The next morning, I told my mum I was going on a date with my best friend and headed to the cafe. It didn’t take much effort for me to recognise Daniel. I spotted him right away, and I thought I was looking in the mirror.
He looked so much like me.
‘Billy?’ – He asked, standing up.
I nodded, unable to speak. We sat down, neither of us knowing what to say.
Finally Daniel broke the silence.
‘Remember the lake by our old house?’ – He asked, smiling. ‘We used to swing on the old rusty swings and throw rocks into the water.’
‘No, I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ I shook my head. ‘We never lived together.’