Malcolm and Jenna settled into their seats, the sounds of murmuring parents filling the auditorium as the lights dimmed.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The stage glowed with warm light, illuminating the young performers, all dressed in simple costumes representing their roles in the Thanksgiving play.
Malcolm couldn’t take his eyes off David, who stood proudly at the front. His heart swelled with pride; he admired David’s confidence and bravery in front of a crowd.
Jenna leaned close to Malcolm, whispering, “He looks so grown up, doesn’t he?” Malcolm nodded, his face beaming as he kept his gaze on their son.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Despite the ways they differed, Malcolm always wanted David to feel secure and cherished.
As the play concluded, Mrs. Black, their teacher, took center stage, applauding the children’s efforts before speaking into the microphone.
“Now, each child will share what they’re most thankful for this year.” She handed the microphone to a student nearby.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
One by one, the children shared their sweet and sincere thanks—a favorite pet, a fun vacation, a new baby sibling.
When it was David’s turn, he approached the microphone, clutching it carefully with both hands.
His eyes scanned the crowd, landing on Malcolm and Jenna. Malcolm gave a reassuring smile, a father’s quiet encouragement.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I want to thank my family for always supporting me,” David said. “Also, for letting me stay up late sometimes.” He paused, smiling with pride before adding, “And I want to thank my real dad…”
*A Few Days Earlier *
With David finally asleep, Malcolm and Jenna relaxed on the couch, the house quiet. Jenna scrolled through movie titles, lost in indecision.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Just pick one, Jenna,” Malcolm said, giving her a playful nudge. He’d given up his dislike of rom-coms long ago; watching Jenna laugh was worth it.
“It’s not easy,” Jenna replied, tapping through endless choices. “They all look cheesy.”
Malcolm laughed, but then his phone buzzed. He glanced down, reading a message from his older brother.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
@Pete:
Hey, buddy, I’d like to come for Thanksgiving. Can I stay with you?
Malcolm’s eyes widened. “Wow,” he muttered, still staring at the screen.
“What is it?” Jenna asked, glancing over, curious.
“Pete wants to come for Thanksgiving,” Malcolm said, still surprised. “He’s asking if he can stay here.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Jenna blinked, looking as though she’d seen a ghost. “Pete?” she asked, voice tense. “He hasn’t visited in… how long?”
Malcolm thought for a second. “Seven years. Just over seven years.”
“Right,” Jenna said quietly, her fingers still on the remote, though she’d stopped scrolling. “Are you sure it’s a good idea?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Yeah, I think so,” Malcolm replied, noticing her reaction but shrugging it off. “Besides, Carl’s coming back from his trip, too. It’ll be nice to have everyone together.”
Carl was Pete’s younger brother, who had been traveling for months as a photographer.
Jenna hesitated, then managed a small nod. “Y-yes… sure, that’s fine.”
With a quick reply to Pete, Malcolm settled back, unaware of Jenna’s unfocused gaze as she stared at the TV screen, her face pale and tense.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
When Pete arrived, he brought a lively energy with him, quickly becoming the kind of uncle every kid dreams of.
He taught David silly games, showed him how to juggle, and shared endless stories from his travels.
David’s laughter filled the house, and Malcolm enjoyed seeing them bond. Yet, he couldn’t help but notice Jenna seemed distant, coming home later than usual and disappearing into her work.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
One quiet evening, just as Malcolm was drifting off to sleep, he heard hushed voices coming from the hallway.
He recognized Jenna’s low tone, mixed with Pete’s, both sounding tense.
In the dim hallway, Jenna’s voice was sharp. “You have no right to tell them anything, Pete,” she said, her tone firm.
Pete crossed his arms. “He deserves to know, Jenna. So does David.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Jenna’s face hardened. “Don’t you dare say anything to David. Promise me, Pete.”
Pete shook his head. “It’s been seven years, Jenna. Seven years of hiding this. You really want to keep living like this?”
Malcolm, hearing the tension in their voices, got out of bed and walked into the hallway. “What’s going on?” he asked, looking from Jenna to Pete, his face confused.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Jenna turned to him quickly. “Nothing,” she replied, her voice forced. “Let’s go to bed.” She walked over to him, touching his arm lightly, urging him back to their room.
Pete stayed rooted in place. “You know I’m right, Jenna,” he said, his gaze fixed on her.
Back in their bedroom, Jenna lay down without a word. Malcolm looked at her, worry in his eyes. “What did he want from you?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Nothing,” Jenna replied, avoiding his gaze. “You know your brother.”
Over the next few days, Malcolm couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Jenna seemed distant, her laughter quieter, her smile forced.
She avoided his gaze and kept busy, filling her time with chores or work, barely pausing to talk.
Every time he tried to reach out, she pulled away, saying she was tired or had things to do.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
A nagging thought crept into his mind. Could something have happened between her and Pete? That conversation he’d overheard replayed, each word deepening his worry and confusion.
David stepped to the center of the stage, clutching the microphone in his small hands.
His voice was clear and innocent, his eyes bright as he looked out at the audience, his family among them. “I want to thank my family for always supporting me,” he began, glancing around the crowd with a smile.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Also, for letting me stay up late sometimes.” The audience chuckled softly.
Then he paused, as if gathering his thoughts, and added, “And I want to thank my real dad, Uncle Carl, for sending me magnets from different countries.”
The room fell silent. Malcolm’s smile froze, disbelief spreading across his face. His gaze shifted to Jenna, who looked pale and on the verge of fainting.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
He couldn’t wrap his mind around what he had just heard. His heart pounded in his chest.
Malcolm leaned toward her, whispering fiercely, “What the hell was that?”
Jenna swallowed, barely able to meet his eyes. “Not here,” she managed, her voice shaky.
She stood up abruptly, her movements jerky. Malcolm rose as well, and with a quick gesture, he motioned to Pete, who had been sitting a few seats away, to join them.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
They moved through the crowd, passing Carl, who sat with his head down, avoiding Malcolm’s stare.
Once out in the hallway, away from the audience’s prying eyes and ears, Malcolm turned to Jenna. “Care to explain what’s going on?” he asked, voice strained.
Jenna’s eyes welled up, and she blinked, trying to hold back her tears. “I told Pete not to say anything. I begged him. I don’t know how this happened,” she said, her voice trembling.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Pete crossed his arms, looking frustrated. “I told Jenna that you deserved to know the truth, Malcolm. David deserved to know, too. I’ve been saying that since she got pregnant. Pregnant with Carl’s child.”
Malcolm’s face twisted with shock and pain. “Pete! You had no right!” His voice rose, echoing down the hallway.
Pete didn’t back down. “What are you talking about, brother? I wanted you to finally know the truth, just like David deserved to know who his real father is.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Malcolm’s face reddened with anger. “You had no right to tell David! He’s seven, Pete! You put this on a child?” His fists clenched at his sides.
“I wanted to tell you sooner, too, Malcolm,” Pete replied, “but it turned out David found out first.”
Jenna, her voice barely more than a whisper, glared at Pete. “I asked you to stay out of this, Pete! But you’ve always been like this, sticking your nose in places it doesn’t belong, stirring up trouble where there shouldn’t be any.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Pete’s frustration bubbled over. “Maybe you shouldn’t have slept with Carl in my house and then lied to him for all these years!” he shot back, his voice full of bitterness.
Malcolm, his face ashen, looked at Jenna, his voice raw with emotion. “So you knew from the start?” he asked Pete, his gaze fixed on his brother.
Pete hesitated, then nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, Malcolm. I wanted Jenna to confess herself.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Malcolm put his hands over his face, his mind racing, trying to process everything he’d just heard.
After a long pause, he lowered his hands and looked directly at Pete and Jenna. “We’ve been together for ten years. Do you really think I didn’t know?”
Pete stared at him, dumbfounded. “What?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Malcolm took a deep breath. “Do you think I didn’t know that David was Carl’s? Jenna told me as soon as she found out. She didn’t want to lie to me.”
Pete’s face twisted in confusion. “Then… why did you stay with her?”
Malcolm’s gaze softened, his voice almost gentle. “Because I loved her, Pete. I still do. When it happened between her and Carl, we were on a break. But I realized I didn’t want to live without her. We all make mistakes. Carl didn’t want to be a father, and…”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Malcolm paused, swallowing. “I can’t have children.”
Pete blinked, looking shaken. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Malcolm shrugged. “I didn’t think you knew about Carl and Jenna. It wasn’t your business. But you just couldn’t leave it alone, could you?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Jenna wiped a tear from her cheek, her voice breaking. “And you threatened to tell Malcolm everything before I even got the chance. Then you left and didn’t come back for years. But I remember your threats. That’s why I avoided you, Pete. It felt like reliving it all over again.”
Pete clenched his jaw. “But telling David was a cruel move, Pete,” Malcolm said, his voice full of disappointment. “That’s not how things are done. You’ve hurt him. You’ve hurt all of us.”
Before Pete could respond, a small voice broke the tension. David had appeared in the hallway, his face full of worry and confusion.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
He ran up to Malcolm, wrapping his arms tightly around him. “I’m sorry I said Uncle Carl is my real dad, Daddy. That’s just what Uncle Pete told me.” David’s voice trembled as he looked up at Malcolm, his eyes wide. “But you’re my real dad!”
Malcolm knelt down, pulling David into his arms, and holding him close. “I know, buddy. You’re my son, and nothing can change that.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
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If you enjoyed this story, read this one: After his wife’s passing, Walter turned his back on Thanksgiving, letting that tradition fade into silence. But when a mysterious young visitor appears on his doorstep, his quiet world is shaken. Read the full story here.
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