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him.
    ‘There you go. Quick and simple but I know spaghetti and meatballs is one of your favourites.’
    Specky couldn’t help but suddenly feel like a stranger in his own home.
    ‘So, Alice, how’s that Geography homework of yours going?’ asked Specky’s father.
    Alice screwed up her face—she hardly ever spoke about school to her parents. Specky could tell that his father was just trying to make conversation. Like his mother, he too was pretending that everything was fine. Specky couldn’t take it anymore.
    ‘So…’ he interrupted his father, ‘who are my real parents then?’
    Specky’s mother fumbled with her knife andfork, dropping them onto her plate. Alice nervously took a large gulp from her glass of water.
    ‘ We’re your real parents, Simon,’ answered Specky’s dad firmly. ‘We have been and always will be your parents. Today’s news shouldn’t change a thing.’
    ‘Your father’s right. Life should continue as it is,’ added Specky’s mother.
    Specky wasn’t satisfied with his parents’ response. ‘Do you know who they are? Where did you get me from?’
    ‘If you mean your biological parents, no, we don’t know who they are.’ Specky’s parents exchanged worried looks. ‘We got you through an adoption agency,’ continued Specky’s dad.
    ‘Then who took the picture of me dressed up in footy gear?’ asked Specky.
    Again, Specky’s father gave his mother a concerned look.
    ‘The agency gave it to us,’ explained Specky’s mother. Tiny beads of perspiration on her forehead and neck glistened in the light.
    ‘Then why did you want to adopt me? Couldn’t you have another one of your own, like Alice? Or is Alice adopted too?’
    ‘Am I!?’ coughed Alice, almost choking on her food.
    ‘No, you’re not. The truth is…’ Specky’s dad once again glanced back at Specky’s mum. Her eyes were wide open, as if she was unsure exactly what Specky’s father was about to say. ‘The truth is that it just happened to be the right time for you to come into our lives. All we know is that your biological mother is dead—unfortunately, she was killed in a car accident. And we have no idea who your biological father is.’
    Specky looked at his mum. She dropped her head so that Specky couldn’t look her directly in the eye.
    ‘You still haven’t answered my question. Why did you want to adopt in the first place? And how do you know all this? You just said you didn’t know who my real parents were.’ It was obvious to Specky that there was more to the story than his parents were willing to tell him. Just then, his father abruptly pushed his chair away from the table and stood up.
    ‘Look, Simon, I’m sorry you had to find out like this, but that’s all we know. Enough questions. We’re your parents and that’s that! And after your performance at the gallery this afternoon, I wouldn’t push it!’ Specky’s dadstormed out of the room, leaving Specky even more confused and upset.
    ‘Your father didn’t mean to shout, love. We just want you to know that we’re here for you,’ Specky’s mother said softly. As she began clearing the table, Specky could see she was trying to hold back from crying again.
    ‘Mum, can’t you tell me more?’
    Specky’s mum slammed down the plates on the table and this time stared directly into Specky’s eyes. ‘Simon, your father and I love you very much, that’s all you need to know.’ Mrs Magee turned and walked out of the room.
    ‘Whoah, what a day this has been. Like something out of the twilight zone!’ remarked Alice. ‘I hate to say this, but they’re right, you know. They’re your—our—parents, Si. They’re the ones who raised us and that’s the only thing that should matter. I know you must be freaked out at the moment, but you really should just try to forget about it.’
    Alice got out of her seat and left Specky to finish his dinner alone.
    How can I just forget about it? he thought. I have another dad! Another dad,