Reckless Renegades Merigold's Story

Merigold

I'm sitting in front of the house where I am supposed to meet my older brother for the first time. My true father’s house. I'm so nervous my stomach didn't have butterflies it had bats flying around in there. I take several deep breaths to try to calm myself while looking at the house in front of me. But it isn’t working. So I focus on the house instead.

It is a two-story house with a big front yard. A little run down, but not too bad. Grey paint peeling in various spots. Nothing a good paint job couldn’t fix. A beautiful wrap-around porch that looks like several boards needed to be replaced. The windows look like they haven't been cleaned in months. Nothing a little care and maintenance couldn’t fix. The lawn looks like it has recently been mowed but the flower beds close to the porch were overgrown. But overall it doesn't look like a nice place. I wonder if this is where my dad lived.

I didn’t ask Ethan too many questions when he gave me the address to meet him. Maybe this is his house. But I won’t find out unless I can get my ass out of this truck. I don’t understand why I’m so nervous. I just really hope he likes me and the boys. Ethan seemed so eager to meet me when we talked over the phone. But in person could be a different story. I notice a black motorcycle parked on the right side of the house. But other than that there were no signs of anyone around. I’m going to guess the bike belongs to Ethan. He said he was in a motorcycle club so it would make sense that it was his.

I know I need to get out and meet my brother. A brother I didn't even know I had until about two months ago. Let me explain how the life I knew had been turned completely upside down with one phone call. It was a Tuesday afternoon. I was sitting down to lunch with my twin three-year-old boys Jace and Jax trying to get Jax to eat one more green bean as usual when my phone rings. I pick it and see a number I don't recognize. Normally I would ignore them but for a reason, I still don't understand I answered. " Hello?" "Is this Merigold Stevens?" a man asks. " Yes' ' The man proceeds to introduce himself" My name is Richard McMasters. I'm a lawyer hired by your biological father and brother to help track you down regarding your father's estate." " I'm sorry Mr. McMasters but there is some sort of mistake. I don't have any brothers and I don't know who my biological father is. I'm afraid you have the wrong person."

I'm about to hang up when I hear " Miss Stevens please don't hang up. Allow me to explain." he asks and his voice almost sounds urgent. Still, no clue why but I let him continue. " Ok, I'm listening," I say. " Thank you, Miss Stevens. You are Merigold Raider Stevens. Correct?" he asks. "Yes" "Born August 12, 1994, to Crystal Ellis Stevens. Correct?" Yep, I'm getting uncomfortable with the questions but I answer " Yes' ' The next question throws me for a loop. " The man you thought to be your father is Raymond Charles Stevens. Correct?" There are only a few people who know the man I thought was my father wasn't. I don't ever talk about it. "Yes. How do you know all of this?" " As I said, I was hired to help track you down. I'm sure this is probably a lot to take in." " I don't understand," I say, cutting him off. " Miss Stevens, your biological father, and brother have been searching for you for some time now," he says. I look over to see the twins are still eating, staring at me. The only response I have for the lawyer is " Why?" because my brain has suddenly stopped functioning properly.