33 Deep, Dark Family Secrets People Didn’t Learn Until They Were Adults

21.

“When I was like 12, my dad died of leukemia. He was never around much, so I didn’t see him often. I actually remember the day he took off and left us; I woke up one morning, and there was a pile of new toys on the living room floor with a note for Mom. Anyway, he started coming around when he received the prognosis. We developed something resembling a positive relationship before he died. When he passed, it absolutely destroyed me. I still remember the funeral. I had to be dragged, kicking and screaming out of the car because I didn’t want to see it. In his will, he left me his car — a Camaro, which I was supposed to get when I turned 16. His parents fought tooth and nail to keep it from me (they were really shitty people, his entire side of the family was), and we eventually just told them to fuck off and keep the damn thing.”

“Fast-forward about 15 years. I found out the guy who died was not actually my dad — he was my brother’s dad. My real, biological dad has been living in the next town over, twenty minutes from my house, my entire life. My entire family knew about it, except for me. It was why my ‘grandparents’ fought to keep the car – they knew I was not his son (I still don’t know if HE knew or not, but I assume so).

My maternal grandmother has met him several times. My mom said she never thought it was anything worth digging up. Said she intended for me to never find out. I’ve still never spoken to him. I know a name and an approximation of where he lives (as of about ten years ago). Beyond that, I know jack about the guy. Grandma said if I ever want to meet him, she would help me contact him. Dunno if I ever will.”

—supahfligh