A Shock
When Melanie Kireli was in the fifth grade, she met a handsome eleven year old boy named Jason Cruz. Jason seemed like the perfect boy: good-looking, smart, nice, friendly, outgoing, and athletic. He was precisely Melanie’s type of boy. She, as so many others before her, and surely many to come, developed a crush on Jason. After all, how could she not? He was clearly the kind of boy she wanted to be seen dating,
Melanie’s crush was, unfortunately, one of unrequited love. Although Jason noticed that he was popular among the girls, there was no one that caught his eye. Years passed, and as Melanie matured, she began to have different crushes, and even a couple of boyfriends. It was not until her junior year of high school that she realized she still had a “thing” for Jason.
Jason was assigned to be Melanie’s partner in English 3. While they had noted each other’s presence growing up, they had never really become friends. Now they were told that they had to complete a project together. They had to sing Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” together, and videotape it. Melanie realized that this project would have to be done outside of school.
“So…Jason…where do you want to film this?” asked Melanie.
Jason looked uneasy for several seconds, but then replied: “How about at my house? Does Saturday at noon work for you?”
Melanie quickly said, “Sure that would work!” as she blushed.
They quickly exchanged numbers, and read over the poem together. Melanie was actually excited about doing this project. After all, how many other girls got to go to Jason’s house, spend time with him, AND hear him sing?! None as far as she knew. On Friday night, Melanie rehearsed her signing as she planned out her outfit for the next day. She chose to wear skinny jeans, and a pretty white top, with red, sparkly flats. She felt ready.
When she arrived at Jason’s on Saturday, she would have never guessed what she would later learn. Jason had six siblings of all different races. His parents looked Puerto Rican, which was a shock to Melanie, as Jason had always said he had been born in Colorado. He also did not resemble their looks, seeing as he was Caucasian. Melanie came to the conclusion that Jason was adopted!
“So are you adopted?” Melanie asked in astonishment. “Why haven’t you ever talked about this?”
Jason replied, “Well it’s not really something I want people to know…”
“If you don’t mind my asking, what happened to your real parents?” Melanie asked.
“I was abused as a child. My parents now, the ones you see over there, adopted me when I was six years old. I have been living with them ever since,” Jason said.
Melanie nodded her head. “Wow. I’m sorry that you had to go through that. It must have been tough.”
Jason nodded and said, “Yeah, it was, but you have to take each day as it comes, you know?”
“Oh, I know that for sure…” Melanie replied.