The Redemption of the Secret Love Child

Fifty years after my mother slept with her married boss and got pregnant with me, I’m coming out of hiding.

Illustration by K.L. Ricks

I’m having an affair with my sister. One of our recent rendezvous was in Charleston, South Carolina, where I happened to be traveling for a writing gig. Laurie slipped away from her home in a nearby state and we picked up right where we’d left off. That particular evening, we were headed to my work-related happy hour, where we sipped cocktails and introduced each other to random strangers: “Hi, my name is Laura and this is my sister, Laurie.” This has become one of our favorite party tricks because people almost always respond to these introductions with some version of “Seriously? Sisters named Laura and Laurie?” Now they’re curious, which gives us what we were really after all along: an opportunity to tell our story.

Laurie and I say we’re having an affair because she sneaks away or lies to her mother every time we get together — just like our parents did. Many years ago, Laurie’s mom was devastated to learn that her husband and father of her three children had been having an affair with his 22-year old secretary (my mom). Laurie’s mother reportedly found out about the relationship because she discovered a note in her husband’s pocket that said, “We’ll raise this child together.” He denied everything, but she remained skeptical.

Laurie’s parents stayed married for another 18 years before divorcing, but her mother never got over the betrayal. Telling her about me now — and confirming her decades-old suspicions — would summon a world of unresolved pain. How do you explain to your fragile, octogenarian mom that her ex-husband’s mistress actually did have his child, and now that child is one of your closest friends? Short answer: You don’t. You just don’t.