Presented by SHANNON MUIR’S INFINITE HOUSE OF BOOKS
SPONTANEOUS CHOICES SHORTS features short serialized fiction by author Shannon Muir, that may be later released as part of e-book or print collections. This summer runs a special event from August 12th through the end of the month on Mondays through Thursdays called “End of Summer”. This is part 7.
Keep an eye out for a full week of ANIMATED INSIGHTS the first week of September!
Unease crept deep down into Summer’s bones. She became aware of her own trembling.
“Be prepared? For what?”
“Summer, you were left at a fire station and your mother died while handing you over. Her name was Violet. People in town knew who her parents were because Violet had a history of getting in trouble. But her parents kicked her out and refused to take you. So, they pieced together who the birth father was to see if he wanted you.”
“I thought they weren’t supposed to do that when babies are left at a fire station.”
“They’re not,” her adoptive mother added. “But a young woman on duty wanted to get back at and embarrass her college boyfriend for cheating on her. So, she made sure he found out about this little girl.”
Summer started piecing it together.
“That was Bettina’s mother!”
Summer’s adoptive father nodded.
“Given your closeness in age, she probably resented the boyfriend for not being faithful, whom she believed to have fathered Violet’s child. She raised Bettina alone and swore never to get in another relationship.”
This explained Bettina’s mother’s attitude, but it also made Summer realize something else.
“So, people know who my father is! Why isn’t anyone telling me? Why are people saying she is the only one who can?”