Chapter 15 - Niles Asks About the Name
At six, Niles asked:
“What is Wexler?”
“A last name.”
“No. Grandma said I’m not one.”
We had avoided the full family genetics story.
Now he was old enough for a little more.
“Grandma was confused about what makes someone part of a family.”
“How?”
“She thought DNA had to match Grandpa Howard.”
“Does mine?”
I looked at Roderick.
We had agreed.
“No.”
Niles’s eyes widened.
“Then Grandma right?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because Dad is your biological dad. Grandpa Howard was Dad’s father because he raised Dad and legally was his father.”
Niles frowned.
“That weird.”
“Yes.”
“Grandpa Howard not Dad’s DNA?”
“No.”
“Dad sad?”
“Sometimes.”
He looked at Roderick.
“Do you still call him Dad?”
“Yes.”
“Then okay.”
Children can sometimes walk through identity crises adults build cathedrals around.
Then:
“Can I change name to Dinosaur?”
“No.”
He sighed.
May you like
Family law disappointed him.
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