My mother had been worried about what might happen to me.
According to Michael’s letter, my aunt Sammie had threatened to challenge his right to raise me. She believed that being related by blood gave her a stronger claim.
My mother didn’t want a family dispute to determine where I would grow up.
She was afraid of losing me.
Michael had asked her to wait before making any decisions.
But she left anyway.
She never made it to their meeting.
As I continued reading, another piece of the story became clear.
After my mother’s death, Sammie had apparently considered taking legal action to gain custody of me. She had contacted lawyers and questioned whether Michael, who was not my biological father, should be raising me.
Michael had kept the documents from that period.
