“I know you're hiding something, so we’re not done here,” I said to Bradley before returning to the crowd. What is going on? I can't shake the feeling that my mother is keeping something from me. I asked my question in a thoughtful trance. All I knew in my youth was the story my mother told me. Other than that, I knew nothing ... I murmured and looked at my mother and Bradley, who were now back in their chairs.

Then my gaze shifted to the participants seated, their faces illuminated by the bright lights of the room. Everyone is still quiet, perhaps unable to recover from the shock because...