Chapter 8: The Brother She Hadn't Spoken to in Six Years
Renee read the name three times.
Daniel Brooks.
Her older brother.
For six years, she had believed Daniel wanted nothing to do with her or her children. Their last conversation had ended in a shouting match outside their mother's house, after which he stopped answering her calls.
Derek had always said Daniel was irresponsible.
He said Daniel had borrowed money from relatives and never paid it back. He said he had abandoned his family when they needed him most. He said Renee was better off forgetting him.
Now Derek had submitted paperwork naming Daniel as the proposed adult who would receive Ethan if the transfer went through.
Renee's hands began to tremble again.
“This makes no sense.””
Mr. Harris took a step closer.
“Do you know whether your brother agreed to this?””
“No.””
“Have you spoken with him recently?””
“No. Not in six years.””
She looked at the photograph again.
“Derek knew we weren't speaking. He knew I wouldn't contact Daniel to check.””
Mr. Harris didn't jump to conclusions.
“Then we need to verify the document and the information with the appropriate people. The school won't treat this application as proof of anyone's authority to collect Ethan.””
Renee nodded, though her thoughts were racing.
“Can I call my sister?””
“Of course.””
She stepped into the quiet conference room and called Danielle.
Her sister answered immediately.
“Renee, did you see it?””
“Yes. Where did you find that?””
“In the email chain you forwarded last night. There were several attachments. I opened them this morning because I wanted to understand what Derek had made you sign.””
Renee sat down.
“Why would he put Daniel's name on a document?””
“I don't know.””
“Did you check the date?””
“Yes. The application was created three days ago.””
Renee closed her eyes.
“Three days ago.””
Danielle paused.
“Renee, I need to ask you something. Has Derek ever told you that Daniel contacted him?””
Renee opened her eyes.
“Yes.””
“What did he say?””
“That Daniel called him a few months ago. Derek said Daniel wanted money.””
“Did he show you the messages?””
“No.””
Danielle let out a sharp breath.
“Renee, I think you need to speak to Daniel directly.””
“I don't even know if he'll answer.””
“Call him anyway.””
Renee stared at the phone.
For years, she had told herself that reaching out would only reopen an old wound. She had accepted Derek's version of the story because it seemed easier than confronting the possibility that her brother had chosen to abandon her.
Now she wondered whether that belief had been built on something Derek had told her.
“I don't know what to say,” she whispered.
“Tell him the truth,” Danielle replied.
“Tell him what happened.””
Renee ended the call and opened her contacts.
Daniel's number was still there.
She had never deleted it.
For a long moment, her thumb hovered over the call button.
Then she pressed it.
The phone rang once.
Twice.
Three times.
She almost ended the call.
Then a man's voice answered.
“Hello?””
Renee forgot how to breathe.
“Daniel?””
Silence.
Then, cautiously, “Renee?””
Her eyes filled.
“It's me.””
“What happened?””
The question was so immediate that she began crying before she could explain.
Daniel's voice changed.
“Renee, are you all right?””
“No.””
She covered her mouth, trying to regain control.
“I need to ask you something, and I need you to tell me the truth.””
“Okay.””
“Did you sign a document agreeing to take Ethan?””
There was a pause.
“What?””
“Did Derek ask you to become Ethan's guardian or take him to another school?””
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, “No. Absolutely not.””
Renee gripped the phone.
“Your name is on an application. There's a document with your name on it.””
Daniel's voice sharpened.
“Send me a picture.””
She did.
The message showed as delivered almost instantly.
Several seconds passed.
Then her phone rang again.
Daniel was calling back.
Renee answered.
“Did you see it?””
“Yes.””
His breathing was audible.
“That's not my signature.””
Renee pressed her hand against her forehead.
“I thought you might have agreed to it. I thought maybe you were trying to take Ethan because you believed what Derek said about me.””
“Renee, what are you talking about?””
She swallowed.
“Derek told me you wanted money. He said you were angry because I wouldn't help you. He said you'd become unstable and that I shouldn't let you near the children.””
Daniel was silent for several seconds.
Then he spoke carefully.
“I never asked Derek for money.””
Renee stared at the wall.
“He said you called him.””
“I never called him.””
“But he said—”
“I know what he said. I'm telling you I never called him.””
Renee began to cry harder.
Daniel's voice softened.
“Renee, when was the last time you and I actually spoke?””
“Six years ago.””
“Do you remember what happened?””
She nodded, though he couldn't see her.
“You said I was letting Mom control my life.””
“I did say that.””
“And I told you to stop judging me.””
“Yes.””
They both went quiet.
Daniel continued.
“I was angry. You were angry. But I never stopped caring about you or the children.””
Renee pressed the phone to her ear.
“Then why didn't you call?””
“I did.””
She froze.
“What?””
“I called you several times after that argument. You never answered. I sent messages, too.””
Renee shook her head.
“I never received them.””
“I know. Eventually, I sent a letter to your old address. It came back.””
She covered her mouth.
“Derek told me you wanted nothing to do with us.””
Daniel exhaled slowly.
“Renee, I don't know what he's been telling you. But I never agreed to take Ethan, and I certainly never signed anything giving permission for someone else to make decisions about him.””
She wiped her cheeks.
“Can you prove that?””
“Yes. I have my own records. I can send you my messages and the returned letter.””
Renee looked toward the conference-room door.
“I think Derek has been using our names to make it look as though everyone agrees with him.””
Daniel was silent.
Then he said, “Where are you right now?””
“At Ethan's school.””
“Is Ethan safe?””
“He's with his teacher and the school counselor.””
“Good. Don't let anyone take him anywhere until the school has verified everything.””
Renee nodded.
“That's what they're doing.””
“Do you need me to come?””
The question nearly broke her.
For six years, she had imagined that Daniel wouldn't cross the street to help her.
Now he was offering to travel across state lines.
“I don't know,” she whispered.
“That's okay. Just tell me what you need.””
Renee closed her eyes.
“I need you to tell me if you know anything about these papers.””
“I don't. But I'll help you find out.””
They stayed on the phone while Daniel forwarded copies of his messages and the returned letter. Renee passed the information to Mr. Harris, who documented it for the people reviewing the case.
The school did not treat the new evidence as a final determination about what Derek had done. But it strengthened the need to verify every document and every claim before allowing anyone to make decisions about Ethan.
When Renee returned to the classroom, Ethan was sitting beside Maya, drawing small circles on a scrap of paper.
He looked up immediately.
“Mom?””
She approached and knelt beside him.
“I'm here.””
“Did you talk to somebody?””
“Yes.””
“Who?””
She hesitated, then decided not to make the name into another frightening secret.
“Your uncle Daniel.””
Ethan blinked.
“My uncle?””
“Yes.””
“The one Derek says is bad?””
Renee's heart sank.
“Derek told you that?””
Ethan nodded.
“He said Uncle Daniel didn't want us.””
Renee took his hands.
“I don't know why Derek told you that. But I spoke to your uncle today, and he says he never stopped caring about us.””
Ethan stared at her.
“Really?””
“Yes.””
“Does he know me?””
“He remembers you when you were little.””
Ethan looked down at the paper in his lap.
“Why didn't he come to see us?””
Renee swallowed.
“That's something your uncle and I need to talk about. I don't want to guess at the answer.””
Ethan nodded slowly.
Then he asked, “Is he the person Derek wanted me to live with?””
Renee shook her head.
“He says he never agreed to that. The school and the appropriate authorities are checking everything.””
Ethan seemed relieved, but his face remained troubled.
“Derek said Uncle Daniel was the only person who could help us.””
Renee went still.
“What exactly did he say?””
Ethan looked toward the classroom door.
“He said Uncle Daniel had a big house and lots of money. He said if Mom couldn't take care of me, Uncle Daniel would.””
Renee stared at him.
“He told you that?””
Ethan nodded.
“He said I shouldn't be scared because Uncle Daniel would look after me.””
Renee felt a cold heaviness settle in her stomach.
Derek hadn't merely used Daniel's name on paperwork. He had apparently been preparing Ethan for the possibility of leaving his mother, presenting the move as something already decided.
She hugged her son.
“You don't have to decide where you live today. That's for the adults responsible for your care to work through safely and properly.””
Ethan leaned against her.
“Can I meet Uncle Daniel someday?””
Renee's eyes filled.
“If we both want that and it can be arranged safely, yes.””
He nodded.
For a moment, she thought he might ask another question.
Instead, he rested his head against her shoulder.
Across the room, Maya quietly returned to her drawing.
Mrs. Carter watched from the desk, giving them privacy.
Then Mr. Harris entered with Ms. Lewis.
“We've received additional information,” he said.
“The district is reviewing the school transfer request, and the relevant authorities have been informed of the concerns surrounding the documents.””
Renee stood.
“What happens now?””
“We'll continue following their guidance. For today, we're arranging a safe plan for Ethan's care and making sure the pickup records are clear.””
Renee nodded.
Then Mr. Harris added, “There's one more thing we need to discuss.””
Renee's stomach tightened.
“What?””
“The office has found an earlier email from Derek. It was sent before the transfer application was submitted.””
Mr. Harris placed a printed copy on the table.
“The email refers to an agreement with your brother.””
Renee stared at the page.
At the bottom was a short paragraph.
*Daniel has agreed to receive Ethan if Renee becomes unable to provide a stable home.*
Renee shook her head.
“He never agreed to that.””
“We understand that's what he's told you. We're preserving the email as part of the record.””
She looked up.
“Is there anything else?””
Mr. Harris hesitated.
“Yes. The email was sent from an account that appears to belong to Derek, but it includes a reply supposedly written by Daniel.””
Renee's heart began pounding.
“Can we see it?””
Mr. Harris turned the page.
The reply contained only two sentences.
*I understand. Do whatever is necessary. I won't interfere.*
Beneath them was Daniel's name.
Renee stared at the words.
Then her phone rang.
Daniel's number appeared on the screen.
She answered immediately.
“Daniel?””
His voice was urgent.
“Renee, I found something in my old email account. I think Derek may have been using my name for longer than we realized.””
Renee gripped the phone.
“What did you find?””
“A message I never sent. It was written as if it came from me, and it talks about you being an unfit mother.””
She closed her eyes.
Daniel continued.
“But that's not the worst part.””
“What do you mean?””
“I found the original message Derek sent me six years ago, right after our argument.””
Renee's breath caught.
“What did it say?””
Daniel paused.
Then he read the final line aloud.
*“Your sister has chosen her new family. Don't contact her again.””*
Renee felt the room tilt around her.
Because she remembered those exact words.
Derek had shown her a screenshot of a message he claimed Daniel had sent.
And she had believed him.
May you like
For six years, both siblings had been waiting for the other to come back.
Neither had known that the other was waiting.
